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Attic Tactics


junction with a decent fl ashlight to visually clear most of an attic. T e mirror is used to see and to refl ect light in the same direction simultaneously. One might think there would be a glare in the mirror caused by the light, but there won’t be with a good qual- ity product. Of course, rarely does the average patrolman have access to a 6-foot-long SWAT mirror. Still, there’s no excuse to skip this critical step. Salient makes a very serviceable telescopic mirror for about $30.00. T is particular mirror folds down to 8 inches and expands to about 30 inches. T ey work well and mine is responsible for spotting at least one felon in an attic before an offi cer had to cross that perilous plane. Also, Asp makes a mirror accessory for one of their expandable batons and it costs less than $20.00. Telescopic mirrors have a myriad of other uses, so worthy consideration toward making the investment.


Electronic Pole Cameras


 With practice, an officer can use the mirror to see and reflect light into obscure areas.


T rowing them into the corners of the attic will backlight potential suspects and objects. T is is done from the relative safety of the fl oor below without crossing the entry point with any important stuff like arms or craniums. It works well for dark, relatively uncluttered attics. Glow sticks are cheap and can be kept in the patrolman’s emergency kit for just such an occasion.


Refl ections


Just like a room entry, offi cers must clear as much as they can from outside before making entry. With practice, the telescopic mirror can be used in con-


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Pole cameras are an even safer option to look into places of danger like an attic. Obviously they’re more expensive than homemade de- vices, but they off er professional abilities and results. T e camera is guided over the edge and a remote viewer gives offi cers a fi rst-hand look of the camera’s perspective. Infrared capability further probes into the depths of the dark unknown. Without a light to give away an offi cer’s presence, stealth tactics are maintained. If the desire is to make the hidden subject aware that offi cers know his location, a powerful light can be attached to a standard pole camera. Tacview’s pole camera was fi rst developed by Sgt. George T. Gilmer, (Ret.) and is in wide use by SWAT and tactical teams throughout the United States. It is a worthwhile device that every major SWAT team should have in its arsenal of options. Smaller teams should consider one as well.


K-9 Deployment T ere is a narrow set of circumstances where a K-9 can be of use for this task. Some dogs can navigate those rickety pull-down steps and some can’t. Even the most talented of police pups will fi nd challenge in negotiating a ladder, though. T ere is a technique known as the “Shield Lift” whereby several SWAT team members use a bunker to raise a police dog up to where he can enter the attic prior to offi cers. Here again, your average patrolman usually won’t have access to a shield. He/she may not even have access to a K-9. Another challenge in using this technique is getting the dog and/or suspect down after the search is complete. Still, if one does have the benefi t of a dog and the means to deploy it, insert here.


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Duty Tactical 24 The Police Marksman Sep-Oct 2014


The Prairie Dog T e fi nal and least anticipated step is actually entering the attic. Have you ever seen a relaxed prairie dog? No? Well, there’s a reason for that. Hawks and coyotes play a real-life game of Whack-A-Mole for their supper. T e pasture pooch has learned that situational awareness equals survival. Cops have similarly opportunistic preda- tors. Feel free to be nervous and go slowly. Entering a doorway is best accomplished with two offi cers simultaneously. T is tactic al-


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