How to work with leo post fight
Beau Doboszenski, Owner/Lead Instructor
Originally published November 29th, 2018
In DMT classes we talk about the Post-Fight Procedures. These are the steps that you take following a defensive encounter that are critical for both your physical safety and your legal safety.
A key element of the Post-Fight is how to engage with law enforcement following a defensive encounter. There have been several instances recently of law enforcement shooting and wounding/killing innocent people because the police perceived the actions of this person to be a lethal threat.
Police have a tough job. They are often undertrained and under-supported. They don’t know who could be a potential liar or threat, and there are plenty of examples of people who appear reasonable but suddenly become murderous monsters when confronted. Pair up the lack of consistent and effective training with the uncertainty of the moment and you have a recipe for disastrous mistakes.
This is one reason DMT offers training to law enforcement officers (LEOs) at steeply discounted rates. We, as lawfully armed citizens, NEED law enforcement to be as effective and confident as possible. We want them to know that we, as armed citizen defenders, have their back. We want them to go home safely. Law enforcement officers who are not confident, or worse, are afraid and use aggression to counter that fear, are a danger. The article and video below display another unfortunate example of this.
In the video you can clearly see an officer confronting a man who makes the fatal error of moving toward his belt line/pockets in an effort to call a relative. At this move, the adrenalized law enforcement officer opened fire. The error is catastrophic, with a presumed innocent man permanently debilitated, and several law enforcement officers’ future in grave jeopardy.
At DMT we stress in the Post-Fight that when confronted by an adrenalized officer, you should repeat all commands, as given, while immediately and deliberately complying. For example, if the officer tells you to put your hands up, proclaim “Okay, I’m putting my hands up” as your actions slowly mirror your words. Your goal is to defuse the situation, not exacerbate it. If you’re wrongly arrested, that’s what attorneys are for. Now is not the time to become confrontational.
Take a look at the video and this article for the summary of this recent encounter.
As a citizen defender, continue working with DMT to ensure that you and those around you remain safe both during and after a defensive encounter. DMT is one of the few places that trains you for the Post-Fight, so you likely won’t find similar information anywhere else.
And if you know any current or future law enforcement that would like more training, send them to DMT. We train individuals or full departments.