How to help a cop in trouble

[Jusme]

I recently received a very interesting question from a friend and fellow blogger. He asked the following:

“How should an armed citizen best help a police officer if that officer is under violent attack from another individual or group of individuals?”

It’s a great question. I think many folks with CCW licenses would be willing to help a cop in trouble. As a cop, I welcome all the help I can get if I’m in a bad situation. Three recent incidents demonstrate examples where armed citizens saved police officers’ lives.

Here are some guidelines for folks who want to help an officer in trouble….

http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/h ... g-struggle

Great article Andy!!

There is a lot of good advice in there, especially the part about asking if the officer needs help, and not automatically drawing your gun.

[oljames3]

When I attended the Citizens' Police Academy for my city, the Chief and Assistant Chief expressed the same concepts as Greg Ellifritz expounded on in
http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/h ... g-struggle .

[locke_n_load]

If the officer asked to help wrestle the guy as opposed to drawing and ordering the suspect off of the officer, I don't know if I'd be willing to get into a wrestling match, especially if I am carrying concealed. Most concealment holsters don't offer too much retention and may be able to get grabbed if the guy gets a lucky punch or elbow in.

Now if I am OCing, I have a good amount of retention on that holster, so it would not be as much of an issue.

[LucasMcCain]

Good read. Thanks for posting it. That's pretty much what I figured I would do if put in that situation, but it's good to hear that I had the right idea.

[bdgyeah]

Thanks for that post. In the news recently there have been a couple of stories where citizens have acted on the behalf of law enforcement, and resolve a situations with their weapons. Naturally after reading them, like every other story, it's hard not putting yourself in their shoes. This prompts me to say thank you to everyone on this site that shares their experience and knowledge. CC/OC, and responsible gun ownership are like Mathematics. They are perishable skills. Thanks to all.

[Skiprr]

This prompts me to say thank you to everyone on this site that shares their experience and knowledge. CC/OC, and responsible gun ownership are like Mathematics. They are perishable skills. Thanks to all.

Today's Winner of the Internet.

[RogueUSMC]

If the officer asked to help wrestle the guy as opposed to drawing and ordering the suspect off of the officer, I don't know if I'd be willing to get into a wrestling match, especially if I am carrying concealed. Most concealment holsters don't offer too much retention and may be able to get grabbed if the guy gets a lucky punch or elbow in.

Now if I am OCing, I have a good amount of retention on that holster, so it would not be as much of an issue.

Years ago, I had to assist an officer trying to pin a suspect down. I helped him but told him later I was wondering if I should. He said, "if I didn't need help, I wouldn't ask for it..."