On November 29, 2009 in Lakewood, Washington a gunman entered a coffee shop and murdered four police officers as they were working on their mobile computers. The officers were getting ready to start their shift. The four officers, Mark Renninger, Ronald Owens, Tina Griswold, and Greg Richards were victims of what really amounted to a hate crime (see how this crime affected corrections policy on p. 25). The murderer and associated felons will not be memorialized here.
There has been an uptick in hate crime assaults on law enforcement officers. Regardless of what is fueling this trend, we have to employ vigilance all the time, even when on Code 7. (Code 7 is the most common code for a meal break while still on duty. It is a period of vulnerability.)
1. Practice sound tactics
Law enforcement officers eat one of two ways: either two officers sit with their backs to the wall, facing the dining room, or they offset at the table, looking over each other’s shoulder. In uniform, this is a good practice. This really doesn’t need more discussion here. All of us have a swivel head on our shoulders that notice changes, exits, and people.
We may think about maintaining a vigilance while at the dinner table, but do we practice it? One of the things we should know is how to practice shooting while eating. Well, eating and shooting shouldn’t really mix, but knowing how is a fact of life in law enforcement.
Two off duty officers sitting offset in a booth or table or with their backs to the wall may be noticeable behavior for the observant. Once I attended a seminar and all of the attendees were going to a nearby restaurant for the lunch break. Most of the patrons in the restaurant at that time were from the seminar. I overheard the server say something like, “You guys must all be cops. Everyone is wearing fanny packs and sitting with your backs toward the wall.” If a non-law enforcement person can pick up on this immediately, anyone can.
Establish a lunch liaison.
One thing an agency can do is have a (friendly) (armed) administrator eat with an officer occasionally. For some agencies, this kind of practice is impossible considering formalities, relationships, and schedules. However, some officers can establish similar informal practices like meeting a friend for lunch. I know a husband/wife law enforcement team that does it all the time. One is on duty, one is off. If anyone wants to Code 7 with me, I’m available and armed.
When I eat, my surroundings are well lit—I am not.
Admittedly, this is an ideal situation. However, considering the tactical quality of an eating establishment should be foremost. Storefront restaurants where officers have a good view of the surroundings are often better than others.
I maintain a full car length between my car and the next vehicle in a drive-though lane.
A drive-through lane is not the most ideal place for a patrol vehicle when a hot call comes out. Often, the best strategy is to avoid the drive-through. At the very least, create enough buffer to be able to jump out of line, or pick an empty drive-through.
The drive-through architecture of most mainstream establishments includes a curb or a barrier that prevents a vehicle from leaving (or entering) once it is in line. That’s fine for preventing “line jumpers.” It’s not good for fighting through an ambush.
I know my vehicle’s capabilities.
This, of course, is another part of being in a drive-through. If called upon, can your vehicle jump a curb? Have you used your push bumper to move a vehicle before?
2. Practice good habits
I eat at the same establishment no more than once a week.
It is a sound practice in martial arts to be consistent, but not predictable. The most cautious vary their eating habits by time, location, and duration.
I am required by policy to give my Code 7 location. I do not extend my Code 7 by arriving prior to my “calling it off” (notifying dispatch of my location) or staying past my “7.”
Everyone knows the mantra “If dispatch doesn’t know where you are, no one does. If they don’t know where you are, they cannot send help.” In my time as a law enforcement officer, I have always been amazed at the steadfast professionalism of dispatchers. Some officers may mumble under their breath “they are reading my mind” or “they know where I’m going before I even get there” but we all know a time when dispatcher intuition has intervened.
“Call off” your Code 7, let dispatch know where you are at all times, bring them their Code 7 often, and always freshen their coffee.
3. Establish good relationships
In the various foot patrol studies done to measure the effectiveness of community policing, it was found that there was a slight increase in crime reports when foot patrol was initiated. When researchers looked into it, they found that residents quickly established relationships with the community police officers and therefore held their crime reports until “my police officer” came on duty. This is definitely an indication of the great effectiveness of community policing. Members of the public are less reluctant to report their community needs to a community officer.
When it comes to dining at a regular establishment, officers will find the same problem. Police officers with good ties to the community will be more approachable. This is a good thing, because community relations will also help solve crimes. However, it can turn a Code 7 into a complaint session.
Patrol sergeants know this. When alerted, they can give their officers a little “leeway” on their meal breaks. However, there must be a policy in place for separating eating time from complaint taking time. Administrators should know that it is a good idea for the officer that was initially approached to take the initial report. Follow-up should be done as necessary.
Complaints against food service employees should be documented and handled discreetly. Follow up is critical.
Statistically, there is a minute percentage of businesses who are overtly hostile to law-enforcement officers. When incidents occur, it is usually the act of an employee, not the policy of a business. Realistically it is counter intuitive for a business to be hostile to law-enforcement officers who want to eat there. It’s bad for business. It’s bad for relations.
If there is an employee at a business that is hostile toward law enforcement officers, the management of the business needs to know right away. However, since it involves an on-duty officer, that officer’s administration needs to know before the manager of the business does. This is something that can quickly escalate into a public relations issue. Neither the agency nor the business will want this kind of escalation.
Other officers need to be cautioned, too. Social networking is not necessarily the appropriate route. Eventually it may be, but give the business an opportunity to resolve the problem. Succinctly, let administration know about it immediately. Document the incident. Administration should follow up with the officer. Other officers need to be discreetly cautioned. Gives the business an opportunity to resolve the problem. Follow-up is necessary.
4. Practice
I can fight from a vehicle.
Many of us eat in our vehicles. When you do, by the way, have a plan for ditching the food when your fellow officer goes in pursuit. I can tell you from experience that the wax lined paper cups from drive-throughs don’t survive heavy cornering or parking garage ramps. Ditch them.
When it comes to fighting from the vehicle, spend time inspecting your equipment before purchasing. Can you draw your gun seated in your patrol car? Can you smoothly draw and shoot through either side window?
I practice with my duty equipment.
When we get to the drill later in this article, perform it with duty and off-duty equipment.
5. Integrate your equipment
I can see my vehicle from where I am seated.
At the very least, walk around your patrol car after returning to it. If yours is the kind of camera that continues to run while on 7, that’s good.
6. Eat safely
Code 7 is not the time to experiment with meals.
There are several fast food restaurants in my town that provide bargain priced meals quickly under presumably safe circumstances. However, only a few hours later, one is reminded why they don’t generally eat there—or refrain from some menu items. If you find that you are on a perimeter in a place where “relief” may be miles away, safe dining is a good tactical decision. Experiment with new menu items on your days off.
Not every business in town is “cop friendly.”
There have been plenty of stories about officers being refused service. The truth is, more businesses prefer to have uniformed officers on the premises than not. The shameless media sells advertising by perpetuating this kind of story.
7. Practice. Practice. Practice.
Here is your drill for this month: Shoot While Dining. I can’t claim it. I adapted this drill from something Vince Bizzini of Valley Defense Consulting uses as a training drill. Vince is a well-respected law enforcement firearms instructor from my area. I “borrow” his instructional techniques often.
The drill is very simple. Set up a target array of a couple of targets. I put these targets about 3 feet apart. Set up a table about 7 yards from the targets. One edge of the table should be parallel with the targets. Put 4 chairs around the table, as if 4 people were going to be seated for dinner.
Each shooter begins in one of the chairs and fires on the two targets from that position. The shooter holsters after engaging both targets, then rotates to the next chair. The session is complete when the shooter has engaged from each seat on the table. The objective is for the shooter to safely engage the targets from the seated position within 3 seconds with 2 good hits. Vary the number of hits and the type of engagement as the training continues. For example, I announce “failure” in the middle of a session to force a headshot.
Run this drill with a firearm replica, like the Red Gun from ASP first, ensuring the shooter does not point the muzzle in an unsafe direction. Allow seated shooting, but let the shooter rise to standing while engaging.
For this drill, I used Warren Tactical Series WTS-8 targets. They are like “pasters” that go inside standard IDPA targets, thus extending their life a little. I like them because they offer distinct head and center mass aiming points.
Please note that this a 1:1 or 2:1 Rangemaster/Shooter ratio drill.
Above all, remember that your Code 7 is still a uniform activity. Save the relaxing meals for family. Stay safe on the streets. ■
