1.
YOUR ATTITUDE
If you fail to keep your mind on the job while on patrol or you carry
problems from home into the field, you will start to make errors. It can
cost you or other fellow officers their lives. Are you wearing your bullet
resistant armor? It could save your life.
2. TOMBSTONE
COURAGE
No one doubts that you are courageous. But in
any situation where time allows wait for the backup. There are few instances
where alone, unaided you should try and make a dangerous apprehension.
3. NOT ENOUGH REST
To do your job you must be alert. Being
sleepy or asleep on the job is not only against regulations but you endanger
yourself, the community and all your fellow officers.
4. TAKING A BAD
POSITION
Never let anyone you are 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. They are all "unknown risk" calls or stops.
5. DANGER SIGNS
As a lawman you will get to recognize
danger signs . Movements, strange cars, warnings that should alert you to
watch your step and approach with caution. Know your beat, your community
and watch for what is out of place.
6. FAILURE TO WATCH
HANDS OF A SUSPECT
Is he or she reaching for a weapon or
getting ready to strike you? Where else can a potential killer strike but
from his or her hands?
7. RELAXING TOO
SOON
The rut of false alarms that are accidentally
set off. Walking in and asking if the place is being held up. Observe the
activity. Never take any call as routine, or just another false alarm. Its
your life on the line.
8. IMPROPER USE OR
NO HANDCUFFS
Once you have made an arrest handcuff the
prisoner and do it properly. See that the hands that can kill are safely
cuffed.
9. NO SEARCH OR
POOR SEARCH
There are so many places to hide weapons that
your failure to search is a crime against fellow officers. Many criminals
carry several weapons and are able and prepared to use them against you.
10. DIRTY OR
INOPERATIVE WEAPON
Is your firearm clean? Will it fire? How
about the ammo? When did you last fire so that you can hit a target in
combat conditions? What's the sense of carrying any firearm that may not
work?