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Guidelines for Law Enforcement Officer Safety: Resulting From the Study of California Peace Officers Killed in the Line of Duty

NCJ Number
113671
Date Published
1987
Length
6 pages
Annotation
These guidelines, principally oriented toward police training, are intended for the optional use of California law enforcement agencies to enhance officer safety practices and techniques.
Abstract
A general guideline advises that each agency should reinforce -- through directives, internal training, or certified training courses -- the need for officers to follow accepted safety procedures and tactics when responding to hazardous situations. Overall, the guidelines are intended to implement planned responses to hazardous situations, define and standardize the actions of primary and backup officers, and minimize risks. Topics encompassed by the 13 guidelines include knowledge of risky field situations, techniques for handling drunk or mentally ill persons, robbery-in-progress calls, serving arrest or search warrants, dealing at close range with suspicious persons, and preventing an officer's handgun from being taken by a suspect. Supplemental recommendations by the Advisory Committee for the Study of California Peace Officers Killed in the Line of Duty pertain to the review of serious assaults on officers, training in interpersonal communications skills, and training in the importance of an officer's 'will to survive.'