Times are changing for law enforcement. Society has become a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any minute potentially killing scores of people. There are many reasons for cops to worry about their own safety. It seems they’re under attack from not only the bad guys, but from those who used to be their allies as well. The causes? - numerous. Here are but a few: political correctness, societal breakdown, little consequence for actions, radical religious extremists, broken judicial systems, and a lack of understanding and knowledge by politicians and the general public about police work.
That said, if you’re a part of the Thin Blue Line, you need to constantly upgrade your firearm and tactical skills. Let’s face it, your department or agency is not equipped to spend the time necessary to keep your skills razor shop. Lack of money and time means most training sadly consists of mandatory qualification only. That’s suicidal because it fails to address the dynamics of what is occurring in today’s world.
Just a short time ago, so called knowledgeable politicians opined that police departments have no need for military type equipment, e.g., helmets, shields, rifles, and armored vehicles. However, this absurd notion has repeatedly been disproven as officers find themselves involved in terror attacks.
So if you aren’t’ able to get the training you need to survive, what are your options? A variety of street survival seminars exist that can reinforce your mindset, as well as your firearms and tactical skills. Taught by current and retired LEOs, these classes are a needed refresher for everyone.
If you can’t afford to spend the money or time to attend instruction, think about reading books by fellow officers who’ve been through tough times and survived. The books I’ve listed below are written by LEOs I know and trust. They address everything from mindset, firearms, tactics and drills, to the legal implications when using deadly force. All are available on Amazon.
RATTENKRIEG! The Art and Science of Close Quarters Battle Pistol by Robert K. Taubert
Rattenkrieg is a German term describing vicious close quarters battle. I worked with the author who is a USMC combat vet and thirty-year FBI agent. Bob, aka, The Rock, has operated and trained all over the world with many of the premier law enforcement and military tactical and anti-terrorist units in existence. The Rock left his imprimatur on the FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team and the DEA’s Operation Snowcap elements.
Be advised his book assumes you have basic pistol skills and that you’re fit. The training and drills demand physical fitness as you make your way through dozens of CQB pistol drills. Fully illustrated, the drills and information about weapons, ammo, and tactics will surely improve your ability to survive.
Citizen’s Guide to ARMED DEFENSE by Kevin R. Davis
Don’t let the title dissuade you from buying this well-written book. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the wealth of knowledge the author imparts throughout the pages of this must have reference book. Kevin is a 34-year working veteran patrol officer and nationally recognized trainer. He specializes in use of force investigations and the dynamics of violent encounters. In his book, complete with illustrations, he explains sound tactics and techniques based on state-of-the-art hardware, adult learning principles, firearms training, and violent armed and unarmed encounters.
Armed Defense is a comprehensive resource and a no nonsense approach to dealing with armed encounters. Backed by case studies, it covers training, tactics, and mindset. Kevin has written other must read books, and authored a plethora of columns for Officer.com, LawOfficer.com, and other print magazines.
GunFIGHT! An Integrated Approach To Shooting And Fighting In Close Quarters by Richard Nance
Up close and personal, describes the author’s focus in this book dealing with what to do when your attacker is in your face. Rich emphasizes marksmanship in arm’s length encounters takes a backseat to your ability to actually FIGHT with your gun.
As a full-time cop, Rich has spent eighteen years training, teaching, and surviving the streets. He’s been a SWAT team leader, firearms instructor, and has several other certifications. Additionally, Rich has spent thirty years training in the martial arts, and is a second-degree black belt. He’s written hundreds of articles for Officer.com and LawOfficer.com, and been published in the industry’s most respected print magazines. He owns his own training company, WARTAC CQC, which specializes in firearms, tactics, and personal defense.
Cops need to inform themselves about what it means to fight with the gun, where a real life and death struggles take place. It’s not about firing at a paper target and casually reloading at the next command from the tower. Rather, it’s about what to do when you and your attacker are struggling to take control of your weapon. This book will prepare you for your next armed confrontation.
I’ve worked and trained with both of these authors. Urey and John are retired FBI agents whose brilliant minds have combined to save untold numbers of cops and agents from harm and subsequent litigation. Both men are subject matter experts in a variety of fields: firearms, tactics, deadly force, and legal issues. John has published numerous articles on constitutional law, including the use of deadly force. Urey is a former Assistant Unit Chief of the FBI’s Firearms Training Unit, and presently testifies throughout the country on weapon-related matters.
The US Supreme Court has ruled that an officer’s decision to use force must be reviewed from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene. The object of this book is to provide insight into that perspective by placing the reader in the shoes of an officer on the scene. The book stands alone as a source of information for the LE, legal, and educational communities.
In Defense of Self is a comprehensive go-to-resource that answers questions about using deadly force and the legal issues surrounding that dynamic. Some of the topics discussed deal with cops being reactive, which slows their response in critical situations, wound ballistics, which explains the fallacy of instant incapacitation, physiological factors of high intensity stress, suicide by cop, the effects of policy and training on officers’ abilities to make appropriate decisions, and many more issues.
Stay Safe, Brothers and Sisters!
John Wills
John M. Wills is a former Chicago police officer and retired FBI agent. He is a freelance writer and award-winning author in a variety of genres, including novels, short stories and poetry. John also writes book reviews for the New York Journal of Books, and is a member of the National Book Critics Circle. His new book, The Year Without Christmas, is available now. Visit John at: www.johnmwills.com.
