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baldeagle wrote:

Jim Beaux wrote:One of the better suggestions Ive heard is to remember that calls to 911 are recorded. Your adrenaline will be pumping and you will have a tendency to "run your mouth".

So if possible you make the 911 call, but keep the call short....

IE: "There has been a shooting at 123 Main St. Please dispatch a policeman & EMS."

Then hang up. Do not answer the phone when the 911 operator calls back.

The problem with this is that they will know it was your phone that made the call. So, as Masaad points out, you need to establish yourself as the victim. I was attacked. A man has been shot. Please dispatch police and EMS to this location.

I have a lot of respect for Masaad...but Im sure the police have heard his words repeated dozens of times before. To me it sounds calculating and canned. JMO

As Im not hiding or trying to deceive, it doesnt matter that the police know the call came from my phone. My calling to report and request police and EMS shows I conducted myself in a responsible manner - but there is nothing more that I want recorded by 911. (I assume anything you tell the police will be used against you)

When the police respond I will have had a few more minutes to gather my thoughts and start from there. The last thing I would want to do is alienate the police. I know that the cop will understand where Im coming from and will appreciate my being polite and respectful.

I will preface most of my responses inferring something along the line of: "Ive never been attacked like this before", "This has shaken me up pretty bad, Im in no condition to conduct an intelligent conversation" & "Im sure you understand my need for legal council & I intend to share everything possible once I speak with him.", "I appreciate any consideration you can give".

The vast majority of cops are decent & caring people. With them it's not personal, they do what they have to do & that is to apply the law as the situation leads. I will never get into a spitting contest with him or think I can outsmart him. This isnt his first rodeo.

One of the better suggestions Ive heard is to remember that calls to 911 are recorded. Your adrenaline will be pumping and you will have a tendency to "run your mouth".

So if possible you make the 911 call, but keep the call short....

IE: "There has been a shooting at 123 Main St. Please dispatch a policeman & EMS."

Then hang up. Do not answer the phone when the 911 operator calls back.

If there are witnesses they also will be calling 911 & giving their perception of the events. There is a probability that the witnesses did not see the entire event as it evolved & you may lend credence to what they perceive happened.

No two witness can relate the same incident.

Many years ago a bearded long haired hippie broke up a fight between a man and woman in a parking lot. The guy was beating the woman & when the hero pulled him off, the drunk jumped him. The drunk could barely stand & the hero pushed him down and he couldnt get back up.

The woman then attacked the hero. He tried retreating / disengaging when she landed a kick very close to his groin - he then gave her a short jab in her belly and she settled down.

Most of the witnesses saw what actually happened and defended the hero; but two only saw the part when he knocked the guy down and punch the woman!