Unit 3 Defensive Tactics Techniques PDF

Unit 3 Defensive Tactics Techniques Lesson 3 Threat Assessment and Response Lesson Goal At the end of this lesson, you will understand the process of assessing a threat and be able to demonstrate appropriate responses. Though it may be difficult to determine factors that constitute a specifi...

Unit 3 Defensive Tactics Techniques Lesson 3 Threat Assessment and Response Lesson Goal At the end of this lesson, you will understand the process of assessing a threat and be able to demonstrate appropriate responses. Though it may be difficult to determine factors that constitute a specific threat, there are certain facts, circumstances, and conditions that, when taken together, may be perceived as threatening. ✅ HL433.1. Identify the need for conducting a threat assessment How you assess a situation and the level of threat you perceive will influence how you respond. The more information you have, the better prepared you will be to effectively assess the situation. You should consider all factors, whether obvious or not, when assessing threats. Recognize that threats may be fluid and constantly changing. Continuously analyze situations for their threat potential. Subject Behavior ✅ HL433.2. Identify verbal and non-verbal cues in assessing threats Certain verbal and nonverbal cues indicate the possibility of the subject’s aggression or postur- ing. Verbal cues may include abnormal stuttering, serious and explicit swearing, and specific verbal threats. Non-verbal cues may include: increased breathing stopping of all movement clenched fists and quivering hands refusal to show palms of hands reddened or flushed face prominent expanding veins on face and forearms shifting of shoulders or change of stance glancing at a target area (target glance) Chapter 4 Criminal Justice Defensive Tactics / 231  ignoring the officer rapid, angry movements Be aware of unusual symptoms that a subject may exhibit upon initial contact or that may develop or intensify during the course of a confrontation. These symptoms may indicate serious issues, such as physical illness, mental illness, drug reaction or overdose, or post-traumatic stress disor- der. When confronting a subject with unusual symptoms, immediately request medical assistance. Be careful of the position in which the subject is restrained. Take care to maintain an open airway, and ensure continuous breathing and proper circulation until medical help arrives. Environmental Factors Some potential environmental factors to consider in threat assessment include weather, traffic conditions, terrain, and the presence of animals, bystanders, and potential weapons. Stances When you interact with a subject or encounter a situation that you believe poses a potential threat, assume one of the following stances, as appropriate. Stances refer to how you stand when you interact with a subject or when they approach you. Interview Stance ✅ HL433.3. Demonstrate the interview stance 1. Stand with head, hips, and feet aligned. 2. Plant your feet shoulder-width apart with the knees slightly bent. 3. Angle your body to the subject with the strong side away. 4. Place your hands above waist level. Offensive Ready Stance ✅ HL433.4. Demonstrate the offensive ready stance 1. Stand with your head, hips, and feet aligned and your chin tucked. 2. Plant your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart with the knees slightly bent. 3. Angle your body so that your strong side is away from the subject. 4. Place your hands just below eye level and toward your center. (See Figure 4-11) 232 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (HL): Volume 2  Figure 4-11 Interview and offensive ready stance Relative Positioning ✅ HL433.5. Identify relative positioning When preparing to approach a subject, place yourself in the safest possible position. Relative positioning describes where you stand or position yourself in relation to the subject. (See Figures 4-12 and 4-13) Body movement refers to how you approach a subject or enter a scene. The manner and direc- tion from which you approach a subject and the distance you maintain from them throughout the interaction are based on your assessment of the threat and potential harm present. ✅ HL433.6. Demonstrate how to maintain a minimum reactionary gap The reactionary gap is the distance you must keep between you and the subject to react effec- tively against a sudden threat (see Figure 4-14). This distance is generally 6–9 feet if you have visual control of the subject’s hands, or 25 feet when you cannot see their hands. ✅ HL433.7. Identify the danger zone The area within the reactionary gap is the danger zone. Any time you are in the danger zone, the potential for physical harm increases. If you need to close the reactionary gap, do so as quickly as possible while maintaining good balance. Visual control of the hands is the ability to see both of the subject’s hands and to know that they are not holding any weapons. Chapter 4 Criminal Justice Defensive Tactics / 233  Figure 4-12 Relative positioning diagram Figure 4-13 Relative positioning 234 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (HL): Volume 2 ✅ HL433.8. Demonstrate hand clearing When approaching a subject, you may use the following hand-clearing technique: 1. Maintain an appropriate reactionary gap. 2. Visually scan the area for potential threats. 3. Assume an appropriate stance. 4. Identify yourself as an officer, if appropriate. 5. Use clear, concise verbal commands. 6. Tell the subject to expose both palms. (See Figure 4-14) Figure 4-14 Reactionary gap and hand clearing Chapter 4 Criminal Justice Defensive Tactics / 235 ✅ HL433.9. Define reaction time principle Reaction time principle is the amount of time it takes for the brain to process a physical threat and the body to respond. This process involves perceiving and analyzing the threat, forming a strategy, and initiating motor action(s). In other words, the officer sees the threat, figures out what to do, and then takes action. The person who effectively manages the distance in a use of force encounter has a better chance of success. This applies during grappling and striking. Managing distance does not only mean moving away from a threat; it can also mean closing distance between you and the subject. Managing the distance helps you control the encounter. Always consider environmental factors, such as being surrounded by a crowd or being in a confined area. Evasion and Redirection ✅ HL433.10. Demonstrate evasion and redirection techniques Use evasion and redirection movements to avoid or redirect an attack. Evasion is simply shifting your body or sidestepping to avoid the attack. Redirection is using empty-hand techniques to move the subject away. Using evasive and redirecting tactics may allow time to disengage, escape, or use other force options (such as blocks or strikes). (See Figures 4-15 and 4-16) Figure 4-15 Evasion 236 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (HL): Volume 2 Figure 4-16 Redirection Chapter 4 Criminal Justice Defensive Tactics / 237