High risk incidents and cops

**Pudge** · 08-17-11, 05:35 PM

Written by Lt. James Lewis
High risk incidents are scary things. After one officer-involved shooting at a local agency, the officer involved told me one of their top administrators made a statement that made him concerned. Once the investigation was over and the books closed, showing my friend was justified, the administrator stated something along the lines of "Well, now that it's over, let's hope it never happens again."
My friend solemnly informed the admin that even though he understood the sentiment of his statement, the chances are high that something like this would happen again.
He went on to say that instead of hoping that it wouldn't, they should better prepare for when it does.
Law enforcement officers, contrary to popular belief, do not go to work each day looking forward to pursuits, fights and officer-involved shootings.
Sure we train for them, but that does not imply we welcome them. Most officers would rather avoid them. But they do happen. A lot.
Most officers involved in a shooting, or something similar, begin to worry about all that comes next.
Crime scene, statements, investigations, second-guessing, armchair quarterbacks, the suspension/admin leave with or without pay, and, of course, possible litigation.
It's scary stuff, and none of us look forward to this. In contrast to how the incident above was handled, after an OIS at my own agency some years ago, the first question asked by the top administrator who arrived on scene was, "Are you okay?" as opposed to "What happened?"
This boss made it clear that he cared about his employee.
I know if I had been in that situation, having a commanding officer worrying about me and my welfare would have been an enormous comfort.
In the end, administrators are responsible for their subordinates and their actions. It only makes sense to have policies and procedures whose goal it is to find the facts and true story of what happened as well as show concern for and involve the officer as well.
Police officers need support after a high risk incident/shooting.
They should not be sent home, reassigned or told, "we'll get back to you."
James Lewis is a lieutenant with the Iberville Parish Sheriff's Office in Louisiana and is a moderator on the APBWEB Forums at www.apbweb.com/forums.

http://www.apbweb.com/news/9-opinion...-and-cops.html

**keith720** · 08-17-11, 06:38 PM

Great article James!

**Five-0** · 08-17-11, 07:17 PM

Right on, write on.

**Cidp24** · 08-17-11, 08:04 PM

Good job!

**kjlaw** · 08-17-11, 08:42 PM

Outstanding

**Pudge** · 08-17-11, 10:37 PM

Well said!

**Xiphos** · 08-18-11, 12:08 AM

Something tells me the douchebag subject of that story won't recognize himself.

**Captain America** · 08-18-11, 12:42 AM

Spot on.

**Tango Zulu 22** · 08-18-11, 03:26 AM

Wise words there.

**Motorwaycop** · 08-18-11, 06:29 AM

Nice one Lt Lewis

**lewisipso** · 08-18-11, 07:02 AM

Thank you very much. It was for a friend.

**jcsdscott** · 08-18-11, 08:02 AM

Very well written.

APB · 08-18-11, 08:57 AM

This will appear in the September issue as an op-ed piece and was also featured in our eNewsletter.

**A3148** · 08-18-11, 09:03 AM

I think that what happens is that after being a supervisor for awhile you start to look at things differently, there is always the thought in the back of your mind of, how am I going to justify what my officers just did. I think because of that they forget to stop and make sure that everyone is ok before they get right in to finding what went on so they can call their supervisor and brief them. I sure don’t agree with it and I think that the first and most important thing is to make sure everyone is ok and then start getting the story.

**Jenna** · 08-18-11, 10:36 AM

Well said!

**pgg** · 08-18-11, 10:46 AM

Too many admin types are holding hands with the bedwetters in our society. It sure seems that slot of them would rather have multiple dead officers then have our guys take action / use force / or get in a shooting. It's pathetic what goes on now a days.

**Tango Zulu 22** · 08-19-11, 03:39 AM

Originally Posted by A3148

I think that what happens is that after being a supervisor for awhile you start to look at things differently, there is always the thought in the back of your mind of, how am I going to justify what my officers just did. I think because of that they forget to stop and make sure that everyone is ok before they get right in to finding what went on so they can call their supervisor and brief them. I sure don’t agree with it and I think that the first and most important thing is to make sure everyone is ok and then start getting the story.

Having been a Sgt for 15 years I would say that any decent supervisor would never allow the "How are we going to write this up?" thoughts to come before checking that the officers and public involved are ok first.

The fact that some do allow this suggests to me that they have been promoted one level beyond their ability.

Just my 2p worth

**pac201** · 08-19-11, 07:48 AM

Good write up Lew.

**SinePari** · 08-23-11, 05:34 AM

There are admin/supervisors whose first words each shift are, "I hope it's a quiet one today." Now, I'm no adrenaline junkie but I am in uniformed patrol in a busy city and major interstates, so sometimes you gotta do "cop stuff."

**BigDawg** · 08-23-11, 07:30 PM

Good Job Lew!

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