How to Support Police Officers During a Hostile Time
The past six months have been tough on law enforcement. With the Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson and other widely publicized incidents, law enforcement officers across the country are under attack, not just from criminals (though now more so than ever), but also from the media, the Department of Justice, and a growing populous ‘movement’.
Just this week Sheriff Deputy Darren H. Goforth was killed at a Houston gas station when he was shot in the back 15 times. In Fox Lake, Illinois Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz was shot while in pursuit of three suspects. Henry Nelson, an officer in Sunset, Louisiana, was shot and killed August 26 while responding to a domestic-violence call. Louisiana State trooper Steven J. Vincent died August 14 after being shot in the head while assisting a motorist. These deaths are both terribly sad and difficult to comprehend. How did we get to a point where people would openly advocate the murder of those who have vowed to serve and protect us?
There are a number of ways you can honor fallen officers and support those that continue to police our cities – despite the increasingly difficult nature of an already dangerous job. This week we have decided to use our platform at Kravology to give our readers some tips on how we may better assist law enforcement officers in the event we are pulled over for a traffic violation or find ourselves in a place where police are breaching. If you are reading this publication, odds are you are a ‘good guy’ but you can’t expect law enforcement to know that—so do everyone a favor and follow these guidelines.
Traffic Stop:
- Pull over as quickly as you can.
- If you are traveling on a highway and it is safer to exit—use an indicator to demonstrate your intent to do so.
- Turn off your radio.
- Roll down your window.
- If you are smoking, extinguish your cigarette.
- Put both hands on your steering wheel – fingers spread apart
- If the stop occurs at night, turn on your interior dome light so the officer can see your hands.
- You will be asked for license and registration—tell the officer where these items are located and retrieve them slowly.
- Do not exit your vehicle unless instructed to do so.
- Be respectful.
- Ask your passengers to place their hands palm down on their thighs.
- If you have a gun, tell the officer where it is located and show the required license/permit.
- Do not argue—it won’t change the outcome. If you think you are being treated unfairly, there is a forum for that – a courtroom.
Building Breech:
- Make sure the rescue team members can see your hands (if you are not restrained).
- Get on the ground. It reduces your chances of being mistaken for the bad guy and being hit if shots are fired.
- Follow all commands.
- Know that you may be restrained while law enforcement determines who is who (kidnappers vs. hostages)
Let’s let LEO officers know that we stand with them. Our hope is that everyone goes home safely every night.
…walk in peace
