Two recent headlines on Police1 read “2 officers, suspect shot in W.Va. highway shootout” and “NC department on alert after recent attacks against police.” These two items from January come, as we know, after a very troubling trend evolved over the course of 2014 of ambush attacks on our officers.
We’ve been analyzing this topic since 1997, teaching it in classes and seminars since 2000 and did a two-part article on ambush awareness/survival in 2010.
Now that some elements of our society have “declared war” on American police, we must quit simply talking about the ambush threat and train specific tactics and responses. Ambush as a tactic is deadly and powerful. Put your heads on swivels boys and girls, and watch your backs! Here are three reminders about ambush you should carry with you into 2015 and beyond.
1. There are Different Types of Ambush
Many police ambushes fit into the “unprovoked attack” category, being launched on a moment’s notice when a criminal (or criminal team) sees an opportunity. These attacks take place where police and criminal elements happen to come into contact. Many unprovoked ambush killings occur during a foot or vehicular pursuit (of course these can also be a ploy to lure you and others to a waiting ambush team).
The most dangerous type is an “entrapment/premeditated” ambush where the attacker(s) choose the location, time and most advantageous weaponry. They generally lure officers into their pre-designated “kill zone” with a bogus call we are unlikely to disregard.
Just as we have been warned to beware of secondary devices at bomb scenes, be alert to the secondary ambush potential where a primary ambush team may lure a solo cop into an attack, with secondary teams positioned to spring another ambush on arriving backup.
The groups who threaten war on you may be mostly cowards, but they are not stupid, and some may have military combat experience. This is no insult to fellow veterans — merely the reality we face.
2. Considerations for Ambushes While on Foot
Will there be one attacker or more? Will you be a solo officer, one in a pair of officers, or one among four, like those attacked from behind by a hatchet-wielding madman in New York City in October 2014? It’s logical to assume an attack from behind, so put your head on a swivel and periodically “check six.”
Ohio trainer Ron Borsch saw my gag photo of “situational awareness” a few years ago at the ILEETA conference and ever since he passes out orange stickers at his presentations with the simple printing which you can see above and to the left.
Check your six! Make some version of that sticker and tape it on your dash as a reminder to use your mirrors!
Whenever multiple officers gather, always make sure you have a “sentry” checking all directions — facing out away from the focus of the event — alert for an unexpected attack. The incident commander can simply point to one officer and give the command “360,” with a circular hand signal, meaning their role has now become perimeter safety officer, responsible for situational awareness.
Most American police agencies teach military-style response to a close ambush: turn into and attack through the ambush(ers). Others train the technique we saw recently in the terrorist attack in Paris in which we saw a marked squad car backing rapidly away from the two terrorists armed with AKs.
Most trainers agree the best practice for a close ambush is to attack the ambusher(s) if possible. Open fire and charge, aiming to hit or scatter them. A wise attacker may launch the ambush from behind an intervening barrier — such as a chain-link fence or far side of a deep ditch — preventing your frontal attack. They may also open fire from within a group of innocents, precluding your return fire. These attackers aren’t stupid and they will use our rules of engagement against us if they can. If you can’t attack into the ambush, then you must try to exit the kill zone as rapidly as possible.
For a far ambush — especially one involving rifle fire from high ground — find cover fast and/or exit the kill zone as quickly as possible. A hard-running target is a difficult one for even the best marksman.
If the attacker(s) uses a rifle effectively and chooses their kill zone wisely, the first officer will probably die, then and there. Our best response in such a situation will be to prevent independent action by arriving officers who may attempt a rescue. A solo rescue attempt is virtually guaranteed to fail unless the killer has vacated his position. Strong on-scene leadership must organize a team-based response to be successful.
3. Responding to Ambushes While in a Vehicle
For a close ambush, counter-attack from inside your vehicle if possible. Drive at the attacker(s), firing through your own windshield if possible, as did Arkansas Wildlife Officer Michael Neal’s counter-attack on the Sovereign Citizen killers in West Memphis. Like Officer Neal, get down behind the dash for as much protection as possible.
Lower the front windows of your vehicle. This will provide a small degree of increased bullet resistance to the doors and more importantly prevents secondary missile fragments from blowing into your compartment from the side windows. It also enhances your freedom to fire out laterally.
If ambushed from a distance, especially in the above-mentioned case of a rifle firing from high ground, a rapid exit from the kill zone may be your only chance. Backing straight away from a rifle-armed killer makes you an almost stationary target. Turn away and become a difficult, rapidly moving target, if possible. Going almost any direction in ‘drive’ will be more controllable than trying to go in ‘reverse.’
Take some time to consider specific training drills to enhance your ability to both survive an ambush and form teams to take the fight to them.
