You may have seen this before in one form or another, but it’s important to reiterate these critical, life-saving points every so often. So, here we go...
1. Lack of focus. If you fail to keep your mind on the job while on patrol or you carry your “home” problems into the field with you, you will start to make errors. That can cost you of fellow officers their lives.
2. Tombstone courage. No one doubts that you’re a cop. But in any situation where time allows, WAIT for backup. There are few instances where you should try to make a dangerous apprehension alone and unaided.
3. Lack of sleep. To do your job you’ve got to be alert. Being asleep on the job is not only against regulations, but it puts yourself, the community and fellow officers at risk. Get the sleep you need.
4. Taking a bad position. Never let anyone you’re questioning or about to stop get in a better position than you and your vehicle. There is no such thing as a routine call or stop.
5. Missing or ignoring danger signs. As a police officer, you will get to recognize “danger signs” — things that tweak your “cop sense” like strange movements, hinky cars, warnings that should alert you to the fact that you should watch your step and approach with caution.
6. Failure to watch the hands. Is a suspect reaching for a weapon or getting ready to strike you? Watch the hands...they’re where attacks stem from.
7. Relaxing too soon. Constant false alarms can cause you to let your guard down. Don’t. It could be deadly.
8. Improper or no cuffing. Once you’ve made an arrest, cuff your prisoner properly. Be sure the hands that can kill you are safely cuffed.
9. No search or poor search. Your failure to properly and thoroughly search a suspect is a tremendous failure to meet your sworn responsibility to keep your community and fellow officers safe. Take the time to search...and search WELL.
10. Dirty of inoperative weapon. Is your weapon clean? Is it functioning properly? How about your ammo? When’s the last time you qualified? Can you stop an aggressor’s action and defend yourself and others?
