After the fight

[donh]

Of course we all hope this never happens, but I think it's probably something all of us need to know:
If you've had to defend yourself and the attacker is on the ground (wounded or not), what should be the process when the police show up? I assume you would still be covering the attacker; it seems like the changeover from covering the attacker myself to having the attacker covered by police would be a little delicate. Anyone been in that situation? What should you say to the officer (I assume his/her first command would be to put down my gun...) -- Thanks.

[USA1]

Put gun away if possible then here are 5 things you should do including what to say....

1. Call 911
2. Officer this person attacked me, I will sign the complaint,
3. Officer here is the evidence (knife, gun, ball bat, whatever).
4. Officer these are the witnesses.
5. Officer you will have my full cooperation in 24 hrs after I see my attorney.

To be more specific..

1. Call 9-1-1. Ask for an ambulance and police. Asking for an ambulance first then police shows the human side of you.

2. Tell the operator "I shot a man that was trying to hurt me". The key words are shot (not killed, off'ed, smoked, etc), man (not a teenager, child, etc).

3. Give your location and describe yourself. Most likely your description will be relayed to the first responding police officer. It would be to your advantage if the officer has an idea of who is the "good guy".

4. Do not answer the operator's questions for details. You are being recorded so you have to be brief. Say that you are really busy right now but you are willing to stay on the line until police arrive.

5. Speak clearly. This projects the image of being in control and not panic.

6. Do not have your pistol in your hand when the officer arrives. Holster it when you see the car approach. Keep your hands visible from this point forward.

7. Give the officer a brief non-emotional description of the events. Give enough to make the initial police report. He/she needs basic information to decide if you are free to leave, getting a free ride to the police station for more questions, or getting the handcuffs.

8. Avoid giving out too much information. Your emotions will come out and may work against you. Say that you are trying your hardest not to throw up right now and would rather answer questions later. Police officers who have been involved in a shooting will sympathize with this. If you did #7 well, this should not be a problem.

9. Others. Don't argue with witnesses. Don't act aggressively even if you're angry. Move slowly.

[The Annoyed Man]

I would call 911 with my cellphone (you DO carry a cellphone, right?) first, tell them that I am a CHL holder involved in a shooting, and that I am holding the BG at gunpoint, and that they need to send an ambulance for the perp. I would then hold the perp at gunpoint from a safe enough distance that he couldn't grab me or something like that, so that the cops who come will be expecting to see exactly that, and then I would follow their instructions to the letter from that point when they arrive. If they tell me to put the gun down, I would explain that I am going to back away from the perp before doing so, so that I am not putting it down where he can reach it, and then I would put it down and back away from it. If told to lie down spread eagle, I will comply. If told to back towards him with my hands on my head, I will comply. Whatever it takes to set the arriving LEOs at ease with the idea that I am the good guy.

OTH, if the perp has been badly hit or killed and is no longer a credible threat, then I think I might reholster my weapon as a means of securing it before the officers arrive. If they feel the need to disarm me at that point, I will comply with whatever instructions they give me at that time.

Survival is the goal, and the last thing I would want would be to get shot by a cop who confuses me with the bad guy. If asked for details, I would tell them that it is my fondest desire to be cooperative, but that given the circumstances, I'm sure that they would understand my preference to get lawyered up first. Then I would ask them not to put the cuffs on too tight during the ride.

[wgoforth]

You sure don't want a repeat of this situation where police shot the homeowner who was holding a gun on the intruder while his wife was on the cell phone telling 911 that her husband was the one holding the gun:

http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoe ... e0318.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[The Annoyed Man]

USA1's more detailed list is better than mine. What he says.

[MoJo]

USA1 gave the correct information according to what Charles teaches about this subject.

[Dragonfighter]

I thought I had a pretty good handle on this scenario until USA1's post. Good information.

By way of anecdote, no shots fired, I was holding an intruder (stopped outside) while my wife was on the phone. The 911 operator kept saying for me to disarm before the police got there. I told her to tell them I would when I knew we were both covered. The first officer pulls up, draws his weapon and says, "Okay, I got you." I backed up and handed my wife the weapon through the door. Staying in communication was a good idea IMHO.

[pbwalker]

2. Tell the operator "I shot a man that was trying to hurt me". The key words are shot (not killed, off'ed, smoked, etc), man (not a teenager, child, etc).

So here's my question...

I was taught to never say "I killed..." or "I shot..." (along with the others USA1 has listed above)

I have heard it is better to say "I had to stop..."

Does it matter between these two or is it just semantics to an officer?

[USA1]

2. Tell the operator "I shot a man that was trying to hurt me". The key words are shot (not killed, off'ed, smoked, etc), man (not a teenager, child, etc).

So here's my question...

I was taught to never say "I killed..." or "I shot..." (along with the others USA1 has listed above)

I have heard it is better to say "I had to stop..."

Does it matter between these two or is it just semantics to an officer?

Good point pbwalker .
I believe that if you say "I had to stop.." , then the next question from the dispatcher will be "how did you stop..."

Of coarse this is only my opinion and I welcome further discussion on that point or any other points.

[dicion]

So here's my question...

I was taught to never say "I killed..." or "I shot..." (along with the others USA1 has listed above)

I have heard it is better to say "I had to stop..."

Does it matter between these two or is it just semantics to an officer?

1) You're not a doctor, you can't legally declare him dead, therefore you can't say you killed him for sure.

2) if you say 'stop' to a 911 operator, they may think you used a baseball bat. 'Shot' immediately implies a gun was used, and that the police and ambulance must be there IMMEDIATELY.

At least that's my interpretation.

[Keith B]

2. Tell the operator "I shot a man that was trying to hurt me". The key words are shot (not killed, off'ed, smoked, etc), man (not a teenager, child, etc).

So here's my question...

I was taught to never say "I killed..." or "I shot..." (along with the others USA1 has listed above)

I have heard it is better to say "I had to stop..."

Does it matter between these two or is it just semantics to an officer?

Good point pbwalker .
I believe that if you say " I had to stop.." , then the next question from the dispatcher will be "how did you stop..."

Of coarse this is only my opinion and I welcome further discussion on that point or any other points.

If you shot someone, you should relay that to the 911 operator, as well as the fact you need medical attention, even if you feel they are no longer among the living. Just saying 'I had to stop someone' is not clear enough to let them know that you used your gun and they may or may not ask how you stopped them.

When asked why you shot them, THEN you indicate you were just trying to STOP the threat as you were in fear for your life or that they were going to do you bodily harm.

[pbwalker]

awesome! thanks for the feedback folks!

[gigag04]

As an LEO you're not getting much of me in the form of information if I'm in an officer involved shooting until my TMPA lawyer is there.

As a CHL I would do the following:
As you see police arriving I would put/throw the weapon out of reach and put my hands super high in the air. Often times when we are dispatched to something it's less than an accurate representation of what's going on. Showing up and seeing you holding someone at gunpoint will draw lots of attention in your direction.

If there is some mitigating circumstance like bad guy is on his stomach and won't pull his hands out so you don't know if there is a weapon, then keep him covered and yourself behind cover and relay that specific information to the operator. Try to speak slow because when you adrenaline dump you will speed up and get high pitched. Make sure she repeats this info back to you before moving past that point.

[dicion]

throw the weapon...

You're out of your mind if you think I'm gonna throw or slide my handgun anywhere. It's got a perfect finish, and I aim to keep it that way.

I will, however, gladly place it somewhere, and walk away from it .

[donh]

USA1, thanks very much - that was excellent information, and I would bet it cleared things up for a lot of people.