It is not enough to flee danger—one must run toward safety.
It seems simple, but it’s not. Panic changes a person’s ability to function in an emergency. In law enforcement, officers train for both day-to-day encounters and worst-case scenarios—and what to do when the one devolves into the other. Officers learn to recognize signs of danger and behavioral clues that foretell a fight. Training starts in the police academy, and it lasts well beyond retirement.
Here are a couple of the things I still do:
- I will fight for the restaurant seat that keeps my back to the wall so I can watch the door
- I note where the emergency exits are regardless if I’m in the air, on the ground, or underwater
- Unless I’m going above the 35th floor, I take the stairs
- I don’t carry things in my right hand if I can avoid it. It’s my gun hand even when I’m not armed
- I look at other people’s hands. Empty hands are a good start, but I also pay attention to waistbands and funny bulges under sports coats
- When driving, I keep a car length between my car and the vehicle ahead of me. One never knows when it might be necessary to peel out of traffic
- I don’t draw even with the car next to me. No sense giving anyone a clear shot. Stopping behind is best, but inching ahead of will do in a pinch. If they want to look at me, they’ll have to work for it— and chances are I’ll notice. Then? Well, see above comment…
My law enforcement friends understand my habits. In fact, they’ll try to get to the restaurant first to claim the coveted chair with the view of the door. Some of my other friends tease me—when they notice. But there’s also a group of people I make uneasy. My actions remind them that bad things do happen.
It doesn’t take much effort to improve one’s personal safety. Sadly, it isn’t always enough. If that day comes, remember to run toward safety.
Chapter 7~
His presence gave her comfort even as his heightened vigilance threatened her composure.
Beached launches January 10, 2018!
This was fascinating, but now I’m a bit paranoid. LOL! Amazing what training does to alter the way you think. And now that you’ve shared some of what you do/have done…it makes me want to adopt some of those behaviors! (especially the one about chair in a restaurant and not pulling up even with the cars beside me)
No need to be paranoid! It really doesn’t take much to improve your safety. The most important thing is to NOT look distracted (I’m talking to you, people who walk with their noses to their phones). Crooks want easy targets.
I was a training officer for several years. It would drive me crazy when my rookie put me right alongside the driver next to me. By the third time, my message usually sunk in… lol.
Having once been married to a cop, those tactics look familiar to me. However, I’ve forgotten some of them and could never do the stair climbing. Thanks for the post. Great info.
It helps that I’ve never liked elevators. Lol. Thanks for stopping by!
Micki, this post really hits home. In 1968 my tour of duty with the Marines in Vietnam came to an end with me being wounded three times the same day. To this day I’ll seek out a place to sit with my back to the wall (and if possible) a view of the door or entranceway. I avoid open (uncurtained) windows (sniper aversion), still find myself checking treelines and the terrain for likely ambush sites; and am on the lookout for trip wires or suspicious-looking disturbances on the ground when hiking. I can’t help myself. It never goes away.
–Michael
Michael~ First, thank you for your service. I’m so sorry to hear that you were wounded in the process of serving your country. The training never does go away, and I’m okay with that. I don’t ever want to lose my edge. Stay safe. Always.
I stumbled into learning about the lives of LEO when I started writing. I had always noticed an edge; but, now I know why. This is an interesting post.
Thanks Ann! It’s the little tics and habits that bring characters to life. Good luck with your writing!