Survival Skills: Cover and Concealment

Concealment vs. Cover

• Concealment provides camouflage but does not stop incoming gunfire
• Examples of concealment: shrubs, fences, interior walls, and objects that keep you hidden from view
• Preferable to use cover rather than concealment

Using the Senses

• Sight: starting point for observation; may be affected by environmental and physical factors
• Hearing: may be affected by background noises; important to recognize specific sounds indicating a crime or incident
• Smell: can help identify dangerous or illegal substances; however, weather conditions or health can affect sense of smell
• Touch: can help identify items during a search; maintain composure and safety

Providing Assistance

• Upon arriving at the scene, find the complainant, introduce yourself, and listen to their concerns
• Determine what services are needed and provide referrals if necessary
• Use interpersonal skills to express empathy and understanding in situations where you cannot provide the expected level of service

Directing People to Assist

• May need to call on bystanders to help in emergency situations
• Evaluate the scene to determine what kind of help is needed
• Authorize assistance from the public in certain situations, such as apprehending or securing a person
• Give clear and specific instructions to people providing assistance

Responding to a Motor Vehicle Fire

• Determine if the vehicle is occupied and begin rescue efforts if necessary
• Move victims to a safe location and provide first aid as needed
• Use fire extinguishers appropriate for the type of fire
• Secure the scene for the arrival of fire personnel

False Alarms

• False alarm: when an alarm system is activated but there is no evidence of a reasonable threat
• False alarm may be caused intentionally or due to a malfunction
• Document that the suspect, without reasonable cause, circulated a false alarm of fire

Lost, Stolen, or Recovered Property

• Commonly reported lost property includes cell phones, driver’s licenses, and credit cards
• Use a general information report to document incidents and include descriptions of property and estimated value
• Note unique distinguishing identifiers to help identify recovered property

Repossession of Property

• Follow agency policies and procedures for handling repossessed property
• General guidelines for responding to incidents involving lost, stolen, or recovered property
• Document incidents using a general information report

Motor Vehicle Repair Disputes

• Florida Statutes permit vehicle owners who refuse to pay repair bills to take possession of the vehicle after posting a bond
• Vehicle owner must post a bond with the clerk of court in the amount of the repair invoice, including storage fees
• If the vehicle owner refuses to pay and removes the vehicle without posting a bond, investigate for theft

Civil Disturbance

• Evaluate the threat level of the situation based on information relayed by dispatch, location’s call history, and personal knowledge of the people involved
• Be vigilant, avoid complacency, and request backup based on the threat level
• Mediate the civil disturbance and maintain the peace during a civil standby

Officer Safety and Survival

• Check equipment regularly to ensure it is clean and in good working order, and make sure electronic devices are charged.
• Regular training is necessary to maintain proficiency in using equipment and to develop the mindset and attitude required to stay safe.
• Physical fitness is essential to handle the demands of dangerous situations, and an exercise and wellness program is an important part of fitness for duty.
• Get enough sleep to perform duties well.

Factors that Compromise Officer Safety

• Failure to maintain equipment and regular training can lead to serious injury or death.
• Poor physical condition can put officers, other officers, and the public in danger.

Observing Danger and Signs of Criminal Activity

• Pay attention to non-verbal cues, such as body language, to identify potential danger signs.
• Be aware of a person's hand placement, as it can indicate whether they are a threat.
• Targeted violence is often the result of organized thinking and behaviors, such as planning and preparation.
• Mental health issues are rarely the main cause of targeted violence incidents.

Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Process

• BTAM is a proactive, investigative process used to identify, assess, and manage the risk of targeted violence.
• It uses the law enforcement intelligence cycle to collect and analyze behavioral information about a person of concern.
• The primary goal of BTAM is to prevent or mitigate acts of targeted violence.

Conducting a Security Check

• Identify a person of concern for future targeted violence by responding to calls for service and observing suspicious activity.
• Collect and report information about the person of concern according to agency policies and procedures.
• Check for signs of tampering, damaged property, or suspicious vehicles.

Death Notifications

• Deliver a death notification to the next of kin in a professional manner.
• Obtain the name, address, and telephone number of the deceased person's next of kin using criminal justice databases.
• Make a personal visit to the family, if possible, and follow agency policies and procedures.

Property Boundary Disputes

• Property disputes between neighbors are usually civil in nature and require a recent survey to identify who owns the property.
• Advise the parties to seek the appropriate remedies in civil court.

Landlord and Tenant Disputes

• The Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act governs most rental arrangements.
• A landlord can legally recover possession of the leased residence without the consent of the tenant by filing an eviction proceeding in the county court.
• A writ of possession is issued by the court to the sheriff, who is authorized to evict the tenant after a prescribed notice period.
• A tenant has a right to enter the residence until legally evicted, and a landlord may not prevent entry by changing the locks.

Mediating a Civil Disturbance

• Separate, identify, and interview all parties involved to obtain information related to the incident.
• Verify whether a crime has been committed through assessments, interviews, and observations.
• Perform queries within the FCIC/NCIC systems to determine if any injunctions or warrants exist.
• Provide information and resources to help resolve the conflict, such as referring parties to civil court or mediation.

Civil Standby

• Maintain the peace through officer presence while serving a court order or responding to a call for service.
• Civil standbys may be conducted in situations such as the execution of a writ of replevin, a child custody exchange, or a pretrial release order.
• Remain impartial and use conflict management skills to prevent escalation of the situation.

Concealment and Cover

• Concealment provides camouflage but does not stop incoming gunfire.
• Examples of concealment include shrubs, fences, interior walls, and objects that keep you hidden from view.
• Concealment provides a position from which you can observe.

Using the Senses

• Sight is often the starting point for observation.
• Be aware of environmental and physical factors that affect vision, such as nearsightedness and farsightedness, lighting, and color perception.
• Hearing can be affected by background noises, and smells can help identify dangerous or illegal substances.
• Touch can help identify items during a search.
• Identify how much time has passed since the incident occurred.

Interviewing Complainants, Witnesses, and Victims

• When interviewing, ask for identification and personal information.
• Be personal yet professional by introducing yourself and using the person's name to establish rapport.
• Separate everyone and ask each person to describe what happened.
• Ask follow-up questions to clarify the incident and ask them to describe the suspect.
• Take detailed notes of these accounts for documentation.

BOLO (Be on the Look Out)

• A BOLO gives a description of the subject, their name, and any additional information that would help apprehend or locate them.
• BOLOs can include descriptions of missing or wanted persons, stolen property, suspicious activity, or areas needing extra patrol attention.
• A BOLO should include as much of the following information as possible:
  • The subject's name and identifying information.
  • The location of the incident.
  • The reason for the BOLO.
  • The alleged violation or reason the subject is wanted.
  • The suspect's last known location and direction of travel.
  • A description or photograph of the person, vehicle, or property involved.
• BOLOs are also issued for AMBER, Silver, Blue, and Purple Alerts.

Conducting a Well-being Check

• Follow agency policies when initiating a BOLO.
• If you arrive at the scene of an incident and are required to initiate an immediate BOLO, relay all significant information to dispatch.
• If you do not need to initiate a BOLO immediately, continue to gather and verify information to prepare a written BOLO.
• Cancel a BOLO when the subject of the alert is found or the BOLO is deemed no longer necessary.
• Interview any neighbors to find out if they have information on the whereabouts of the person or if a neighbor has a key.

Security Checks

• Conduct security checks of residences, buildings, or grounds as requested by residents or initiated by dispatch.
• Notify dispatch when you arrive at the location and park your vehicle at a distance from the building while observing the area.
• Use equipment such as vehicle spotlights, flashlights, and radios to help when conducting security checks.
• Look for suspicious indicators as you approach the scene.

Property Boundary Disputes

• Property disputes between neighbors are usually civil in nature.
• Advise the parties to seek the appropriate remedies in civil court.
• A recent survey may be needed to identify who owns the property in dispute.

Landlord and Tenant Disputes

• The Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act governs most rental arrangements.
• A landlord can legally recover possession of the leased residence without the consent of the tenant only by filing an eviction proceeding in the county court.
• A writ of possession will be issued by the court to the sheriff, who is then authorized to evict the tenant and put the landlord in possession of the residence after a prescribed notice period.
• Until legally evicted, a tenant has a right to enter the residence, and a landlord may not prevent entry by changing the locks.

Officer Safety and Survival

• Improper training, poor planning, carelessness, and complacency can contribute to officer fatalities and injuries.
• Factors affecting officer safety include interactions with people, scene awareness, suspect armament, and communication with dispatch.
• A community partnership can help keep officers safe.

Observational Skills

• Observation is the act of recognizing an occurrence using senses to notice people, things, or circumstances.
• Observational skills can be improved through practice, such as memorizing descriptions of cars, people, and details at a scene.
• Focus on situations or behaviors that are important to law enforcement, and avoid distractions.

Cover and Concealment

• Identify cover and concealment areas immediately upon arriving at a scene.
• Cover is anything that creates a bullet-resistant barrier between an officer and a threat, such as automobile engine blocks, brick walls, and thick wood.
• Concealment is an object or group of objects that creates a visual barrier but may not stop a projectile.

Interacting with Suspects

• Always identify yourself as a law enforcement officer and give direct commands.
• Avoid tunnel vision by scanning surroundings, practicing controlled breathing, and using task-relevant self-talk.
• If you believe a suspect is armed, call for backup units and use appropriate tactics to contact, control, and disarm the suspect.

Roles of Contact and Cover Officers

• The contact officer leads the approach and handles communication with the suspect.
• The cover officer is responsible for officer safety concerns at the scene and watches for hazards such as hostile crowds, traffic, or escape routes.

Initiating Contact and Establishing Communication

• Approach suspects carefully, keeping a safe distance and observing their position and body movements for indications of flight or assault.
• Scan for weapons and verify a suspect's identity via criminal justice databases.

Well-Being and Security Checks

• Conduct well-being checks on persons with medical issues or abnormal situations, such as a bad odor from a residence.
• Check for signs of unlawful entry or inactivity, and contact the property owner or management to obtain information about the person and access to the location.

Death Notifications

• Deliver a death notification to the next of kin in a professional manner, using criminal justice databases to obtain the necessary information.
• Make a personal visit to the family, if possible, and follow agency policies and procedures.