Ohio officers responded to the report of a semi-truck driver being involved in an argument with employees at a local IHOP. The truck is located and a traffic stop is conducted. Apparently, the suspect had initially failed to stop for officers, resulting in a squad in front of the truck blocking it.
As officers approach the cab, they order the driver to shut off the truck. The driver refuses to comply, repeatedly demanding to know why he is being stopped. One officer secures the driver’s left hand in a twist lock in an apparent attempt to secure that hand and gain compliance with their commands. The other officer draws his Taser but holsters it shortly after.
Both officers attempt to gain access to the keys to shut the vehicle off. The suspect then demands a supervisor, as both officers get on the step of the truck to attempt to gain control.
Positive control isn’t achieved and the driver takes off, with one officer stepping off the truck immediately while the other officer remains until he jumps or falls from the truck, breaking his leg.
A pursuit is initiated but eventually called off. Officers from another department found the truck later, now with a trailer attached. He fled, ramming four vehicles, including two squad cars, before officers opened fire, wounding the suspect.
Three possible outcomes
Whenever we consider a choice made in a tactical situation, we must remember that there are always three possible outcomes — things get better, things get worse or things stay the same. You are just along for the ride literally and figuratively. There is no way to predict an outcome because the suspect always has the deciding vote.
While there are three possible outcomes, the suspect’s list of choices is infinite and unpredictable.
De-escalation
Some might say that if the officers had spent more time talking before going hands on, they may have been able to talk the suspect out of the truck. We will never know because that theory will never be tested in that moment. Many will Monday Morning Quarterback the situation and come up with the perfect solution behind their computer monitor.
The cops on scene don’t have that luxury and must make the best decision based on what they know in that moment, and we don’t know what that was by watching a video.
The magic words
I call advising a suspect that they are under arrest the Magic Words. Why? In some cases, once informed the subject they will become compliant, but not always. In my state you have to tell someone they are under arrest before using force according to state statute. Additionally, by clearly stating that the suspect is under arrest you remove the excuse that they didn’t know as a defense.
The TASER
A TASER can be a great tool when it works. In this case the threat of being tased might have got the suspect to comply, but obviously the positioning of the driver precluded its use.
Vehicle extraction
The officer has been trained in using empty hand skills when dealing with a non-compliant driver, perhaps in a vehicle extraction class. However, a driver in a semi-truck negates all that training based on their elevated position, your inability to maneuver in the space provided by the step, and the height of the fall for the driver if you succeed in forcing the driver out.
Extraction techniques practiced and trained on passenger vehicles have serious drawbacks in a semi.
Semi-trucks have different height cabs and regardless of the height they place you at a distinct disadvantage. You should always try to get the driver to exit when conducting a traffic stop to even the playing field. All they need to do is open the door forcefully and you are in for a fall.
Have an exit strategy
Only time will tell if your attempt to remove a driver will work, regardless of the type of vehicle. Officers need to have a backup plan in case things go south. Most departments don’t offer training in that decision-making process or the best response.
You need to mentally rehearse the indicators that will trigger your retreat out of the vehicle if the driver decides to try and drive off. In this case the officer who made that decision only had minor injuries.
There is no safe place
Even with an exit strategy, anytime you are around a running vehicle the only thing that keeps you safe from being run over is the driver’s choices, as evidenced in this video:
Remember that the suspect ALWAYS has the deciding vote. Have an exit strategy already formulated when responding to all calls based on which one of the three outcomes you get. And finally, understand that there is no safe position when dealing with people inside running vehicles.
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