Training programs should expose the officer to the dynamics of close quarter situations. Learning how officers can get hurt or die and then teaching effective strategies and technical skills to defeat the attacks must be understood and trained effectively. This would include utilizing effective principles of personal defense that are optimized for the individual based on their body size, strength, age, physical condition and skill level.

Utilizing correct body positioning relative the offender, movement and footwork to neutralize the offender’s advantage, effective penetration to takedown and control or disengagement while using tools available to defend must be taught until it is automatic.

Recognition of common, high threat attacks and effective means of defense must be a major component of training. One must be prepared to deal with the reality of being taken to the ground and having to defend from there. Situating your tools and backup weapons so that they are available from different positions and then deploying them successfully must also be drilled in a realistic fashion.

Close quarter shooting techniques while simultaneously moving, defending against weapons or take-away attempts are part of the reality of close quarter engagements. Drawing and firing rapidly and precisely are essential life saving skills.

Critical Decision Making under Duress:

The officer has a statutory right to use the level of force appropriate to effect an arrest or defend against force used against him. An officer is justified in using a higher level of force when the level of force that is being used is insufficient to control the situation.

Officers should be put in situations in training when they recognize they no longer hold the upper hand. Officers must learn, through judgmental training scenarios, exactly when that moment has occurred and make the decision to escalate then, using correct timing and technique so that the offender cannot successfully counter the escalation.

Struggling uselessly in an inferior position, fighting someone who may be younger, bigger, stronger than you and is striking you in the face or choking you while you lie on the ground, choosing the wrong tool to deal with the situation, having a firearm in hand and not being prepared to use it are all ways to get killed.

Officers must learn their mental and physical limits in training and understand how fatigue, differences in personality, skill levels, mindset, weight, strength, age and stamina will lead to a different decision making process from their peers.

Options should be available when the plan you are using is not working. This would include getting back to a better position of defense, protecting vitals, working into a better position, conserving energy while letting the offender wear themselves out, defending the weapon or accessing backup weapons and using them successfully.

Critical, close quarter decision making under real world stresses must be a part of training.

To be successful in close quarter situations you must be able to:

Defend and counter spontaneous assaults using the tools you have immediately accessible to you.
Assess what level of force is being used against you and immediately choose the correct level of force.
Have well drilled, immediate action drills and techniques in place that require a minimum of time and effort to perform. Strong techniques geared for real world fighting and not Hollywood style fighting is what is needed.
If, while attempting to arrest or control the situation, you find yourself starting to lose, you must recognize that fact and be able to immediately escalate the force used successfully.

Have options available in the form of alternate defenses, strategies and weapons placed strategically.
Choose to Win !!