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[Jack]

What voice commands would you give somebody who you want to restrain and/or search?

Think in terms of a slow search where you encounter an opponent who doesn't appear to be armed.

Everyone should at least have an opinion on this. Also don't just list what you would do, list why you are doing it.

I know there are variables and different methods for different situations, but just think about how you would do it when you have good cover, but the threat level is high.

Thanks.

[jimothy_183]

Command: Put your hands on your head and get down onto your knees.

Reason: Standard procedure, people should know the reason for this command.


Command: Lie down on your stomach and straighten your arms out to the side with the palms facing up.

Reason: Lying down on the stomach gives the suspect less time time to take any action if they decide to do something such as run or resist. The arms out the side again gives the sus less time to take action with their hands. The palms facing up is just an additional measure.


Command: Cross your ankles.

Reason: Another measure to give the sus less time to run if they decide to do so.



From here you can restrain and search the suspect.
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[Jack]

Personally I don't recommend telling them to put their hands on their head.

What are the dangers to telling them to put their hands on their head?

There is one big one and one less obvious.

[jimothy_183]

My guess is because you can't see whats in their hands?
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[Jack]

Yep, that is the big one. The other is that you are basically putting their hands into a fighting stance, so they can block or throw elbows.

[jimothy_183]

What do you think of the rest of the commands?
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[Jack]

Not bad, but there is a lot more you could do to make yourself safer. Can you think of anything?

[jimothy_183]

Commanding the suspect to look straight to the ground?
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[Jack]

OK, lets take the command of "DON'T MOVE!"

Is this a good command or a bad command? Pros and cons?

[Jack]

No comments?

[jimothy_183]

I don't really see any cons. It's quite a straight forward command to me.
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[Admin]

In general, it is unwise to approach a suspect until one is getting verbal compliance to commands.
On a Clearing mission, however, the initial entry is fast and confusing. With the exception of yelling "Get down", it is very difficult to have a "meaningful dialogue" with an uncooperative or shocked suspect. It may be necessary to physically put suspects on the floor.
One of the tough decisions that an operator may have to make at this point, is how to handle a suspect who appears to be cooperating by putting his hands up but still has a gun in his hand. If the suspect does not drop the weapon on command, and there is any apparent intent that he may be just looking for an opportunity to use it, it may be necessary to shoot him. If he initiates an aggressive action, it will be almost too quick to react to.
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[Jack]

I know that rules of engagement are different for different operators. However generally for a shoot be considered righteous, you have to feel in jeopardy of being killed or seriously injured.

So if you come in contact with an opponent and he is holding a gun, if he doesn't want to fight, he will likely want to drop the gun. However if you tell him "Don't Move," is he free to drop the gun? No, you told him not to move. Now he is stuck holding the gun. If he is holding the gun, what is going to happen? You are going to shoot.

So basically you are possibly creating your own jeopardy and placing yourself and the opposition force in a no win situation.

[jimothy_183]

I see your point? What is the alternative to "Don't Move" that is still short and simple?
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[Jack]

Well, at that point, all you should really probably be yelling is "gun!" That lets everyone know that you have made contact with an opponent and that he has a gun. If the guy doesn't drop it on his own, he is probably going to get shot.

If you were going to have a go to phrase, try, "Drop the weapon!" This term could be used whether it was a knife, bat, gun or hammer. One simple phrase is always better.

So if you had to drop on somebody and, say they were facing away from you and holding a handgun, "don't move" might be appropriate, but it would have to quickly be followed up by something like "drop the weapon." You might as well just say, "Drop the weapon" in the first place. Because if he turns towards you, that is still an act of aggression and failure to follow commands.

Now, I'm not saying that "don't move" is always a bad command. There are times, when you don't want somebody to move. A good example of that is if you came in contact with an opponent who has his hand in his pocket or is reaching for his pocket.

But just be careful what you say, because words mean things and it is important to give the proper voice commands.

[Jack]

I agree that on fast paced dynamic entries the command of, "GET DOWN" is probably one of the best to use.

Here is another example of why not to say, "Don't Move." Is that really what you want? For them not to move? No, you want them down. And if they don't get down, then the operator usually makes them get down. Well, if you give them the voice command of "don't move" how can you justify throwing them or knocking them down? You can't! They were following orders.

GET DOWN, GET DOWN, GET DOWN, is pretty simple to understand and follow. I you are reaching for a gun, you are not following the command, if you are running away, you are not following commands, if you are moving towards me, you are not following commands, and if you are just standing their(granted they might be in shock) you are not following commands. And now because of the proper voice command of "get down" I am more justified in using force to make that happen.

[Jack]

Now, for a slow and methodical search, where a potentially unarmed opponent is located I don't think that "get down" is going to be the absolute best phrase to use.

[geryban]

Good. What about the "gun down" and "hands up" commands? Maybe, you would like to unarmed the suspect first, keep distance between his body and his empty hands, and after U check his body and the place around (concealed carry weapon, knife, electronic device, or whatever) the suspect visuallyyou ordered "get down".
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[Jack]

If you encounter a threat on a deliberate search, where are the two most likely places a gun might be on his person? I say either in his hands, or in his waist band, either tucked in his waist band or in a holster.

So my voice commands address these issues first. So it looks something like this.

1. Scan the hands, if a weapon is located, obviously engage.

2. If no weapon is located, or you can not see both hands give the voice command, "Let me see your hands!"

3. Now, "Hands up above your head! Higher! Higher!" What am I accomplishing? The higher their hands go above their head, the higher their shirt lifts, possibly revealing a holstered gun, or one tucked in the waist band.

4. Now I have them spin so that I can scan for weapons in the back waist band.

5. Now a variety of things could occur. I might have them walk backwards to me, get down on their knees, go prone, or crawl out to me, depending on the situation.

[Admin]

It makes good sense.
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