July 2007

After finishing my July issue (took me a little time this month) and seeing the monthly questions posted, I thought I would say something about the Shots Fired column.

One of the big problems we have is always going to be a lack of information on a crime in progress call. I see it as being caused by two or three factors. Sometimes, the dispatcher cannot get the information from the caller. The caller can be a child or a person who is scared and barely functioning from panic. They sometimes hang-up after the initial call, either thinking they got the information through or because of something happening at the scene. Sometimes, they are just outside witnesses who don't have the information (how many times have you handled a call where the person says someone ran up and told him to call the police?).

Other times, the dispatcher is not trained enough or professional enough to get the information we need. This is a problem we can work on by letting the administration know when it occurs. In a small town, there are often problems getting good dispatchers due to low pay, same as getting good officers. But the dispatchers are paid even less than the officers and get even less respect. Make sure we let the dispatchers know when they do good and that we consider them part of the team and this will help on the professionalism part most of the time.

The worst situation I have worked with is in a large city where the 911 call taker is not the person you talk to as a dispatcher. The dispatcher cannot give you any more information because the call taker did not get it. The call taker did not get it because they have no idea what we need and how to get it from a caller. They also get pressure to answer calls, because there is never enough staffing and you know what happens if someone calls 911 and gets put on hold (and it has happened, even to me calling in). The friendly media love for this to get reported to them in conjunction with a major call.

So, we will always be handling calls without enough information to know what is going on. BE CAREFUL on your approach until you do have the knowledge and control you need. DO NOT RELAX until the suspect is in custody. WAIT FOR ENOUGH BACKUP to handle the situation.

I am not saying these officers or anyone else did anything wrong in this case. Last night (9-8-2007), two Odessa, TX police officers were killed and a third shot and in critical condition handling the same basic type of call. It is a job hazard and I love the job, but we can minimize the risks.

Lately I have been reading articles on an old book I am going to get another copy of. I strongly suggest everyone read Officer Down - Code Three. We are still making the same ten mistakes.