This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
 offi cer down: Overwhelming Physical Force: The Carl Everett/Linda Mason Incident


DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Like many offi cers in similar circumstances, Offi cers


Everett and Mason missed several important danger signs. What might have accounted for this oversight? What can we do to help avoid this problem? Click here for analysis 2. At what point, if any, would Offi cers Everett and Mason have been justifi ed in the use of deadly force? Why? The decision to use deadly force is sometimes a very diffi cult one to make, and the consequences of mak- ing the wrong decision can be tragic and far-reaching. What can we do improve our ability to make the right decision in such cases? Click here for analysis 3. What does this incident say about the importance of becoming highly profi cient in control tactics? How much help would ground fi ghting techniques have been to Offi cer Everett? Click here for analysis


4. What does this case indicate about the effectiveness of OC spray? What can be done to improve its effective- ness? How important is it to be ready to shift to another option if it fails?


Click here for analysis 5. Roper attempted to disarm Offi cer Everett late in the struggle when Everett was no longer physically able or in a proper position to profi ciently execute any conven- tional weapon retention techniques. This is important, because offi cers are often disarmed under circum- stances that are not conducive to such techniques. What other options are there for countering this kind of threat?


Click here for analysis 6. Offi cer Everett was bluffi ng when he told Roper he would shoot him if he came any closer. Was that a wise thing to do? Why? Click here for analysis


can and should use deadly force to stop an unarmed attack. T is is not always an easy question to answer, but it must be answered, especially in today’s current atmosphere of decrying the police at every turn. T e fol- lowing analysis will address this issue, and as well as a number of other crucial lessons from this incident—lessons that can save lives. Before you read the analysis, however, please review the following discussion ques- tions and work through your own answers. Stay safe.


ANALYSIS


Mindset T is case serves as a sobering example of how easily a minor incident can escalate out of control. Because of their apparent low risk level, it is easy to play such incidents cheap, which makes us especially vulnerable to a number of common mental pitfalls when handling them. T ese pitfalls are often very subtle and shrouded in emotions, making them very hard to detect and control.


67 The Police Marksman Summer 2015


In this case, for example, Offi cers Everett and Mason were drawn into an emotionally charged situation that drew their attention away from proper risk assessment. Choi’s hostility and uncooperative attitude un- derstandably frustrated and angered them, which helped goad them into moving in too close to the man, and distracted them from taking proper notice of several impor- tant danger signs. First, Offi cer Everett missed the signifi - cance of the “AWA” on Choi’s shirt until it was too late to consider it in planning his ap- proach. Not being a wrestling fan, he could not have been expected to recognize Choi as a professional wrestler, but he did recognize the initials as the abbreviation for the Ameri- can Wrestling Association. Having done so, that knowledge should have alerted him to the distinct possibility that he was dealing with someone interested in professional wrestling. Inasmuch as the vast majority of wrestling fans are blue-collar types, many of whom work in heavy labor occupations, it would have been logical to assume that he


might be dealing with someone with sub- stantial physical strength. Moreover, Choi’s bulk was great enough to conceal consider- able muscle mass, which is common among people with heavy builds. Under the circum- stances, it would have been safer for Everett to assume that Choi was powerfully built in spite of his outward appearance. Roper’s reported behavior at


the res-


taurant should also have been a warning to the offi cers. Had they investigated the incident a little more thoroughly, they would have discovered that the rock Roper threw through the window weighed over 30 pounds. T at, combined with the way Roper easily handled the heavy rock, his size and his quick temper, indicated that he could well pose a signifi cant physical threat. Choi’s obvious eff ort to hide facts from


the offi cers was another signifi cant danger sign. When the subject of a minor inves- tigation is obviously trying to hide some- thing, it is a strong indication that he is attempting to avoid arrest. T at in itself can be dangerous, as evidenced by this case.


www.policemarksman.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76