Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Near Miss is a voluntary, non-disciplinary officer safety initiative that allows law enforcement personnel to read about and anonymously share stories of close calls or “near misses,” which provide lessons learned that can protect fellow officers in similar situations.
The following submission involves an AK-47 concealed in suspect’s shorts.
Event Summary
Officers responded to a suspicious person call. Two subjects were observed near a vehicle at an apartment complex with all four car doors open. After contacting the subjects, it was discovered that their license plate was covered by tape, and both of the subjects had Halloween masks.
One subject had an obvious mental delay and was speaking very slowly. The other subject was confrontational.
The confrontational subject was immediately patted down for weapons and none were found. The subject also consented to a vehicle search, but nothing was found.
Both subjects were placed in a seated position while officers continued their investigation. Another officer stated that the mentally delayed subject committed a shoplifting about 10 minutes prior. This subject was then handcuffed behind his back while seated. A few moments later, he was stood up and walked back to a patrol vehicle to be searched.
During the search, an AK-47 with a collapsible stock and a loaded 30-round magazine was located in the front of his shorts, barrel up. The shorts were only knee high and not extremely baggy. Several different drugs packaged for sale were also located on him. This subject was not patted down with the other subject due to his mental delay. He appeared non-threatening and very slow moving. It was later obvious the other subject was using him to hide the drugs and guns.
Lessons Learned
- Do not treat subjects with a mental delay or handicap any differently in a call for service where they appear to be suspect.
- Pat all subjects down in similar situations where you have reasonable suspicion to do so.
How to submit your near miss
Support this critical officer safety initiative by reading and sharing the near-miss stories and lessons learned that your fellow officers have shared, and consider sharing your own near-miss experiences at LEOnearmiss.org.