Recently I had the opportunity to flip through the seminal law enforcement training book Street Survival Tactics for Armed Encounters and the follow-up books Tactical Edge and Tactics for Criminal Patrol published by Calibre Press. Indeed these books, penned by my friend Chuck Remsberg (who I had the privilege of spending some time with just a couple of weeks ago), are still valuable to this day (Street Survival came out in the 80’s). *These books are now available in Kindle editions so they should be a part of your survival library.
The “street survival” movement has saved more cops than bullet proof vests. We will never know the full impact of this training. The question is, “How does this apply to today’s armed encounters?”
Dateline San Bernardino: Two heavily armed jihadists attack a county office building, killing 14 and wounding 21.
Subsequently these two terrorists engaged in a gun battle with pursuing officers and were killed. Carbine, handguns and IED’s have been recovered.
Dateline Colorado Springs: A mentally-ill subject armed with a rifle assaults Planned Parenthood facilities. Two citizens were killed as well as a responding Officer Garrett Swasey from the University of Colorado Police Department.
These incidents are in contrast to the average, everyday assaults on law enforcement officers in this country such as the wounding of a Denver S.W.A.T. officer in a shootout, and the attempted murder of a York County, Pennsylvania officer during a traffic stop – both the same day as San Bernardino attacks and shoot-out.
So how can you prepare for these types of incidents?
Training and Tactics
Sadly at a time when most agencies have ratcheted back on training based on lack of funds, we find ourselves “under the gun” both literally and figuratively. The media and special interest groups have been attacking us for being too aggressive, killing folks who should have not been shot (despite the facts which clearly indicate differently – the Washington Post as of 3 December reports that American law enforcement officers have shot and killed 896 subjects 703 of whom were armed with a deadly weapon, 50 used vehicles as a means of attack, 30 were armed with toy guns. Only 82 were classified as “unarmed” and many of these were listed by the Wa.Po. as actively attacking LE or others (such as attempting to disarm an officer).
What should/can you do?
- Train on your own – each and every week invest some of your time and effort in maintaining your core skills
- Firearms training need not be live fire – although regular trips to the range are mandatory you can reap huge dividends by practicing your draw stroke and the basics of marksmanship dry fire
- Purchase a S.I.R.T. – Shot Indicating Resetting Trigger, pistol. Even rehabbing after a total knee replacement, I use my SIRT pistol to get movement and fundamentals practice
- Incorporate Survival Skills and Fitness – Prior to major surgery this year I would take my S.I.R.T. pistol down to the mat room where I had multiple cardboard targets and simulate points of cover. I would work on jogging and movement drills while moving to cover or taking simulated cover positions. This included ground work, shooting on the move, and heavy bag striking drills, all while increasing my stamina and cardio output. Beat the heck out of riding a stationary bike and was a lot more realistic and relevant
- Purchase a training DVD such as retired LEO Dave Spaulding’s Critical Space Combative Pistol program by Panteao Productions. I guarantee you’ll learn new material and add needed skills to your practice regimen
- Go to a class on your own – There are some great private sector trainers out there such as the aforementioned Dave Spaulding, Pat Rogers, John Farnam, Mas Ayoob, my buddy Chris Cerino, on and on. Put some change in jar, forego buying a new set of golf clubs, whatever, and seek out quality trainers on your own. *Note here – vet your instructors! Make sure they’re legit and reputable!
- Train on self-care and combat first-aid – Most battlefield deaths in war are due to exsanguination or blood loss. This can be stopped with basic tactics on how to stop bleeding. Our friend Eric Dickinson has penned a book The Street Officer’s Guide to Emergency Medical Tactics which is a great investment in this area
- Citizen’s Guide to Armed Defense – My new book goes into great detail on training, armed response and defense tactics for both LE and private citizens
Get the Right Gear
- Obtain and Train with a Quality Carbine – In both Colorado Springs and San Bernardino long-guns were used against LEO’s. Improve your hit potential, effectiveness on target, and ability to neutralize a threat at a distance – get a 5.56 carbine. While on patrol I field a DoubleStar Star15 carbine topped with an Aimpoint T-1 red dot sight, equipped with a Surefire Scout white light, and Vicker’s sling from Blue Force Gear. Give yourself an option, if the agency won’t purchase yours (they didn’t buy mine…) then spend the dough and get a quality patrol rifle
- Rifle Plates – I’ve been tossing a plate carrier in the back of my patrol SUV with TacProGear’s ceramic plates. The plate carrier has three spare mags for my Star15 carbine. Should I respond to an active shooter I can quickly don the plate carrier and up my ballistic protection to stop .30-06 rounds
- Combat First-Aid Gear – Obtain and carry a Combat Applications Tourniquet, Israeli battlefield dressing and hemostatic/blood clotting agent. For you, your partners and citizens
- Back-up Guns – I know it’s grown out of fashion with the issuance of 15 to 18 shot pistols but carry a back-up gun. Should your primary malfunction or should you be disarmed, a little “onion field insurance” can keep your butt alive. *If you haven’t heard of the Onion Field or the term onion field insurance, do a Google search…
- White lights – Primary and back-up and weapon mounted. My duty belt sports a Streamlight Stinger DS LED rechargeable as primary, a Strion LED as back-up, and a Blackhawk Xiphos weapon light mounted on my Glock 19. Lights are too small and too economical to not have solid primary, back-up and weapon mounted systems available
But First…
Before any of the above recommendations, accept that the threat exists and you may be the target! Truthfully nothing will make a difference or help until you first accept that the threat exists and you can equip and train to save your life, the lives of citizens and your partners.
Without the mental and personal commitment to train now and forever, warnings, recommendations and advisements are only empty words.
Street survival was and is about the mental aspects and mind-set first and foremost, then the training and hardware issues. It proposed in the 1980’s and supposes today, that you can be the victor in the worst of armed encounters, instead of a passive victim. But it’s a process which takes time, diligence and effort.
They’re training, planning and preparing. Are you?
