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Originally Posted by mdb23
When I first started police work, my FTO would be driving around, shooting the breeze with me, when he would suddenly stop the car..... "how many thugs were standing on the porch we just passed? What did they have on? Did you see the one dart inside as we drove by?"
He would do the same thing with cars....... "What was the plate on that car we passed? How many people were in it? Did they make eye contact? Did they look out of place?"
He constantly tested me, grilled me, got me in a habit of looking at everyone, pausing at all intersections and looking (really looking) all around before creeping through, driving with my windows down so I could listen to what was happening in the city (as opposed to the new breed of officer who drives around with his iPod plugged into the dash and A/C on).
Eight years later, I'm doing the same thing to rookies. It's a skill that takes development and practice.
For you, I would remember the following three things........ Hands, demeanor, clothes. Let me explain....
First of all, my head is always on the swivel. It drives my wife nuts, because I am always looking around whenever we are out. I try to observe everyone that is around me...... I don't talk on cell phones when I'm out walking around, no iPod, I'm observing. Nothing crazy, but I am looking for things out of the ordinary...... my goal is to see you before you see me --- always. What kind of car did you get out of? Did it have plates, or had they been removed (bad sign) was the wing window punched out of the car, or was the lock punched out of the trunk (stolen auto)? Is anyone waiting in the car? Did you park in an unusual place?
Next thing that look at are the hands of the people in my AO...... I want to see where your hands are, because they (in nearly every case) are what is going to hurt me.... hands are what punch, kick, stab, and pull triggers...... So I look for your hands..... are they out and swinging at your sides? Are they down the front of your pants? Tucked under a hoodie? In the pocket of a baggy coat? If I can't see your hands, then I keep a little closer eye on you, maybe create a little distance until I can assess the situation more...
I then check out the demeanor of the people...... most criminals aren't Cool Hand Luke...... they are scared sh*tless and/or are high on drugs or needing a fix...... so I take a look.... is one dude acting nervous, anxious, or stressed out? Is he sweating in the dead of winter? Does he look fidgety? Are his teeth rotted out ( a sign of meth use), or are his lips burned and chapped white (crack head)? Is he looking down or acting like he's trying to hide his face as he approaches? Do I see track marks anywhere on his arms? Or scabs that would indicate a habit? If so, I keep an eye on him... maybe start making a little mental plan about where I might take cover if he pulls a gun.... look at my surroundings..... just little things.
I also notice clothing...... are you wearing a hoodie in the middle of the summer? Are your clothes soiled or severly out dated (sign of drug addiction)? Are you wearing shorts and a wife beater in the dead of winter? Are you wearing clothes that could conceal a weapon? If so, I make a mental note. If not, then you are down a notch on my threat scale.
Considering that I am usually armed, I also give a quick glance to every building that I am in to decide where my "safe route" is going to be should the bullets start flying.....decide where I am going to put my family....... it only takes a second, and after a while, it is second nature. You do it without thinking.
The best thing that you can do is train yourself to stop, slow down, and just listen and look at what's going on around you. It's really that simple. Before you walk through that parking lot, pause and see if you hear anything moving, or see anyone walking around. Like Reaper said, we are biologically programmed to do this stuff, we just have to "get into the groove" of doing it.
Keep in mind, though, that I get 40-50 hours of practice per week doing this stuff at work...... it is second nature to do it when I am off. I honestly can't drive by a car without counting the people in it or looking for signs of a stolen ride. It's almost ADHD' esque. LOL
Hope this made sense....
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