Introduction

The contact-and-cover tactic is a cornerstone of police training, providing a structured approach to handling encounters with suspects. This method, deeply ingrained in police academies, emphasizes safety, control and efficiency. However, as society evolves, so too must our policing strategies. In particular, the rise in encounters involving individuals in crisis — whether due to mental illness, emotional distress or other factors — calls for a reevaluation of traditional tactics. This article proposes a flexible, adaptive approach to the contact-and-cover method, ensuring it remains effective while being responsive to the needs of those in crisis. 

Traditional contact-and-cover tactic

Traditionally, the contact-and-cover tactic involves two officers working in tandem. The contact officer engages directly with the suspect, conducting interviews and searches, while the cover officer provides security, observing the suspect and surroundings for potential threats. This setup ensures that both officers can focus on their specific roles, enhancing safety and operational efficiency. 

The goal is to balance compassion and control, reducing unnecessary confrontations while maintaining the capability to act decisively when required.

The need for reframing

While this tactic is effective in many scenarios, it can become problematic when dealing with individuals in crisis. Such individuals often experience heightened senses and may perceive the traditional V-shaped or triangulated formation as threatening and overwhelming. This perception can escalate the situation, leading to unnecessary confrontations. Recognizing these signs and adapting our approach is crucial.

A new approach for crisis situations: Observation and initial engagement

1. Start traditionally: Begin with the standard contact-and-
   cover formation to ensure initial control and safety.
2. Recognize crisis indicators: Be alert to signs of distress such as incoherent speech, excessive movement and visible signs of anxiety or confusion.

Adapted positioning and techniques

1. Modify the formation: Instead of the traditional V-shape triangulation, position the two officers side by side while making contact with the person. This side-by-side approach is mindful of maintaining a safe distance and not crowding the person in crisis.
   • Contact officer: Engage at eye level with a calm, reassuring tone, maintaining a safe yet non-threatening distance. This officer takes charge of all communication with the subject.
   • Cover officer: Remain slightly behind and to the side, avoiding direct confrontation. This officer interjects only when spoken to by the person in contact or when answering questions, adhering to the concept of “one voice.”
2. Use de-escalation techniques:
   • Empathy and validation: Acknowledge the individual’s feelings with statements like, “I understand you’re upset,” to build rapport.
   • Simplify instructions: Provide clear, simple commands to avoid overwhelming the individual.
   • Offer choices: Give limited, manageable options to help the person feel in control, such as, “Would you like to sit down or continue standing?”
3. Minimize sensory overload:
   • Reduce the use of lights and sirens.
   • Speak softly and avoid aggressive postures. 

Training and implementation  

As a veteran police officer and an active crisis intervention trainer, I’ve seen the impact of these adaptations firsthand. In my experience teaching crisis intervention and evaluating
reality-based scenarios, officers often don’t realize how their stance and triangulation can exacerbate a crisis situation. During training, it’s common to see role-players portraying distressed individuals react negatively to the conventional contact-and-cover formation. When I pause the scenario and prompt officers to analyze the circumstances, they quickly recognize the issue nine out of 10 times. They then adapt their stance, relative positioning, distance and overall approach, which leads to significantly better outcomes. 

Integrating crisis intervention training (CIT)

1. Police academy:
   • Introduce the adapted contact-and-cover tactic early in police academy training. This ensures that new recruits understand the importance of flexibility and adaptation from the start of their careers.
   • Use immersive role-playing scenarios that simulate crisis situations, helping recruits practice recognizing crisis indicators and adjusting their tactics accordingly.
2. Field training:
   • Reinforce these concepts during field training programs. Field training officers (FTO) should emphasize the need for adaptability in real-world scenarios, providing feedback and guidance on applying these
   techniques.
   • Conduct debriefings after encounters involving individuals in crisis to discuss what worked, what didn’t and how the adapted tactics could be further improved.
3. Roll call briefings:
   • Use roll call briefings as opportunities for ongoing training and reinforcement of these principles. Briefings can include quick refreshers on recognizing crisis indicators, de-escalation techniques and modified positioning strategies.
   • Share success stories and lessons learned from previous encounters to continuously improve the understanding and application of these tactics among all officers.

Promote a cultural shift

1. Encourage open discussions:
   • Foster an environment where officers feel comfortable discussing the challenges and successes of adapting their tactics. Encourage sharing experiences and collective problem-solving.
   • Highlight the benefits of adaptive approaches, including improved community relations and reduced use of force.
2. Leadership advocacy:
   • Have senior officers and respected trainers endorse and advocate for the changes. Leadership support is crucial for cultural acceptance and implementation. 
   • Use testimonials from officers who have successfully implemented these methods to demonstrate their effectiveness.
3. Support systems:
   • Ensure officers have access to mental health professionals for guidance in crisis situations.
   • Develop clear protocols to support officers in applying these tactics, providing the necessary resources and backup.

Addressing resistance

1. Educational efforts:
   • Present evidence-based benefits of adaptive tactics, including reduced use of force and improved community relations.
   • Share data and case studies that demonstrate successful outcomes.
2. Incremental implementation:
   • Start with pilot programs in specific units, gather feedback and gradually expand department-wide. This allows for adjustment and improvement based on practical experience.

Maintain officer safety and tactical advantage

It is crucial to emphasize that adapting the contact-and-cover tactic for crisis situations does not compromise officer safety or diminish their tactical advantage. On the contrary, this approach enhances the ability to assess and respond appropriately to the situation. Should the individual become a threat or the situation escalates, officers are encouraged to revert to traditional tactics to ensure compliance and safety. The goal is to balance compassion and control, reducing unnecessary confrontations while maintaining the capability to act decisively when required.

The responsibility of modern policing

As law enforcement officers, our responsibility extends beyond crime-fighting — irrespective of what your approach is (“sheepdog,” “guardian,” “warrior,” etc.). Our mission is to safeguard public safety, which includes recognizing and responding to individuals in crisis with empathy and understanding. The proposed variation of the contact-and-cover tactic aligns with this broader responsibility, promoting a policing approach that is flexible, adaptive and humane.

In conclusion, the evolution of policing tactics is a testament to our commitment to serve and protect all community members. By reframing and redefining the contact-and-cover tactic, we can better address the complex realities of modern society, ensuring that our methods are as effective and inclusive as possible. This change does not make us any less of a cop; it makes us better ones, equipped to handle the diverse challenges we face with professionalism and compassion.

Recommendations for integration

1. Early implementation in training:
   • Emphasize the importance of flexibility and crisis recognition during initial academy training. Use scenarios that require recruits to adapt their tactics based on the individual’s behavior and needs.
2. Continuous reinforcement:
   • Integrate these principles into ongoing training programs. Regular refreshers and advanced courses can help maintain and improve officers’ skills in handling crisis situations.
   • Encourage officers to stay updated with the latest research and best practices in crisis intervention.
3. Incorporate into daily “routine” tasks:
   • Use roll call briefings as mini-training sessions. Discuss recent encounters, share insights and review the application of adaptive tactics.
   • Promote a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation, ensuring that officers are always prepared to handle diverse situations with professionalism and compassion.

By implementing these recommendations, we can ensure that the adapted contact-and-cover tactic becomes a standard part of police training and practice, enhancing our ability to serve and protect all members of our community effectively, yes, including those in crises.