Officer Safety and Survival Flashcards

An officer arrives at a scene and notices the suspect has a glazed look, clenched jaw, and is rocking back and forth. According to officer safety principles, this behavior pattern indicates:

Answer: Possible pre-attack indicators requiring increased awareness

Glazed look, clenched jaw, and repetitive movement (rocking) are recognized pre-attack indicators — behavioral cues that suggest a person may be preparing for a physical confrontation.

During a foot pursuit of a fleeing suspect, an officer should:

Answer: Broadcast a running description and direction of travel continuously

Continuously broadcasting location, direction, and suspect description allows backup units to set up a perimeter, reducing the need for a solo officer to close with a potentially dangerous suspect.

The 'contact and cover' tactical approach in officer safety means:

Answer: One officer handles the primary contact while the other provides cover and watches for threats

Contact and cover is a two-officer tactic where one officer (contact) handles the interaction with the subject while the other (cover) maintains tactical awareness and watches for threats.

What is the primary safety concern with 'positional asphyxia' in law enforcement custody situations?

Answer: Certain restraint positions can restrict breathing, leading to death or brain injury

Positional asphyxia occurs when the body is placed in a position that impairs breathing, particularly when a person is prone, restrained, and obese or intoxicated — it can cause death.

When approaching a building to which officers have been called for a burglary in progress, the officers should use the walls of the building for cover. This technique is known as:

Answer: Wall coverage or building hugging

Using the exterior wall as protection while moving toward the entry point is called wall coverage or building hugging — it presents a smaller profile to anyone inside while moving to the entry.

After firing their weapon in a shooting incident, an officer should primarily:

Answer: Scan for additional threats before holstering their weapon

After a shooting, the officer must scan for additional threats before holstering, as tunnel vision during a shooting can cause officers to miss secondary threats.