Officer Needs Help (Can You Shoot His Attacker?)

What should you do if you see a police officer in clear duress? Your first instinct might be to help, but there are several factors to consider before diving headlong into a violent encounter. In this short informational video, U.S. Concealed Carry Association Director of Content Kevin Michalowski (himself a law enforcement officer) discusses the potential pitfalls of engaging a violent perpetrator.

00:00 Kevin outlines a scenario in which a lone police officer is fighting – and losing to — a deranged attacker.
02:43 Unable to access the officer’s gun, the bad guy grabs her expanding baton instead and flicks it open to rain blows down on the stunned and bloodied officer. What are your options?
03:34 Would calling 911 be a good option to save this cop’s life?
04:05 What could happen if you jump into the fight and try to tackle the attacker?
05:28 Should you draw your gun and issue commands if you see an officer in obvious peril?
06:00 Can shooting the attacker without a verbal warning land you in trouble? What factors should you consider before you engage?
07:19 What will you do after stopping the threat? Help is likely on the way, but you still might be in immediate danger from other criminals or even the crowd of onlookers.
08:08 What should you do when police backup finally arrives on the scene?

#uscca #concealedcarry #selfdefense

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[URGENT] Attention Gun Owners:
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Want the same peace of mind enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of responsibly armed Americans like you?

[Mike-pbto]

I was in a situation similar to this once. It was about 11:30pm, and I was pulling up to a red light next to a train station parking lot. I looked over to see two individuals assaulting a transit officer who was on the ground. Without a second thought, I acted immediately. I sped into the lot, exited my truck, drew my firearm, and loudly said "On the ground or get shot! Now!" Both assailants put their hands up, and got on the ground. Luckily the officer was cognitive enough to cuff one of them, and radio in for backup. When local police arrived on scene, I placed my weapon on the hood of my truck, put my hands up, and stepped back from the weapon. After about 3 minutes I was released from handcuffs and thanked for helping. The transit officer credited me with saving his life.

[KaladinAzer]

As a cop:
Someone is punching me in the head while going for my gun, I'm alone, unable to stop them myself and you shoot the attacker in my defense, even if you are charged I will stand by your side in court through the entire process.

[barrymccokiner]

Certainly from a legal standpoint, it’s best to never leave the house. But if I saw someone about to lose their life, I would do the right thing and deal with the consequences later. Wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t.

[SaturdaySportsman]

Happened not too far from me here in AZ. Guy had a state trooper down beating his head on the pavement on the side of the road. Passing armed citizen stopped, tried to warn the guy off but he wouldn't give so he shot him. State Police gave him an award.

[thor]

As a retired Texas police officer, I had an incident where my partner and I were attempting to take a homeless guy into custody for burglarizing a home. The guy fought both of us and he was fighting for his freedom. We then found ourselves fight for our lives. My partner was struck hard and out of commission. And that was him and I now, we fought for awhile. He attempted to take my gun from my holster as I was attempting to retain it. I struck him several times with the butt of my baton with not effect to him. After several minutes of fighting; several good Samaritans, jumped in to assist me and one identified himself as Border Patrol. I had never been so happy to see so many good people assist my partner and I. My back officers arrive shortly after that and the guy was taken into custody. My partner and I were transported to the hospital with minor injuries but we were alive. So please, don't hesitate to help. We have families and loved ones to go home to at the end our shift.

[drats]

As a retired 33 year police officer I have been that police officer twice in my career. The first incident was in a public park and a retired Navy Corpsman stopped to help. he face kicked the aggressor and then beat him into submission. The second incident was on the side of a major freeway and the good samaritan shot the aggressor wounding him enough so that he stopped
trying to take my gun. No charges were filed in either case against the good samaritans. Incidentally, the second incident involved a 29-year-old female as the good samaritan. I am now 75-year-old retired guy and my fighting days are behind me so my options are to do nothing, which isn't going to happen, call the dispatcher, when seconds count the police are only minutes away, or take immediate action with a gun in hand which is what I will do unhesitatingly. Stay safe and keep your powder dry.

[smoothc]

What a sad state of affairs when you need to ensure your own legal liabilities to help an officer being attacked, or any other human being. The lawless literally have more rights than those who abide

[DonTruman]

It's depressing, how utter perfection is demanded of the good guys, while every excuse and allowance is given to the bad guys.

[firefuzz]

In my law enforcement career I was assisted many times by civilians. On three of these occasions their intervention, without a doubt, prevented me having to resort to deadly force. I am eternally grateful to anyone that assist any LEO in need.

[reformedfridge]

It truly is a shame that your ordinary law abiding citizen has to have all of this going through their mind when deciding to help someone in danger.

[johnc]

It's very sad how many negative consequences you can get for saving someone's life.
Our legal system is so screwed up that you can be put in jail for legitimately defending yourself or another.

This is how we get more people senselessly killed and how criminals are increasingly emboldened to continue to comity crimes.

Just having to think about the repercussions wastes valuable time and leads to hesitation that can mean someone getting hurt or killed.

When I first heard this scenario, I figured I wouldn't think twice. Order the man to back off or get shot, right? Failure to back off would lead to me ensuring a good shot and taking it.

But, my very next thought was that I'd probably be accused of behaving recklessly and be imprisoned, or just face a very expensive legal battle, which I can't afford.

At that point, no one else would know I was even armed in the scenario. It would be easy to just be another bystander and let other police come and save the day.

I hate that feeling that I would possibly do nothing and let a police officer continue to get beaten and possibly killed.

But, that's the reality of our legal system. The good people end up fearing the law more than criminals.

[richardmeo]

As a probationary FF in NYC, in 1981 I saved an older Transit Cop who was wrestling (standing) with a suspect with a knife. The crowd was watching, but no one would help. When the officer pulled the suspect towards him, I moved in low, grabbed both feet and pulled the suspect's feet into the air. He was suspended between us, and dropped the knife. There was almost no time to think things through, the way this video presented. A good show.

[MrLord]

When I took my conceal carry class years ago the instructor made a comment that has always stuck with me. Before you decide to use deadly force to help another ask yourself if you are willing to go to jail for them.

[theer]

I know a man who intervened when he saw another man literally dragging a woman out of a bar by her hair, caveman style. After the fight, the woman sided with the boyfriend and the "hero" spent a year in a county jail. Think before you act. The advice here is very sound.

[Super_Godzilla]

Never thought about the whole needles and diseases part, because the tackle or kick to the side/head would've been my first option. Well explained!

[Ben-qmzq]

I have been in several situations where I had assisted officer's. The only thing I was ever told not to do was to never touch the cops gun, but I also did that once...just to hand it back to the officer. I have assisted in restraining subjects on several occasions. Yes, you can help but be very very aware and stand down immediately afterwards.

[RdeneckTech]

I have been in a deadly force encounter, everything this ten minutes video lays out rushed through my mind in less than 2 seconds yet I clearly understood every single word and possible outcome of that situation. When time starts moving normally again is when a defender tends to make mistakes. Most especially with talking too much. The adrenaline dump is like nothing most can imagine. You feel every possible emotion all at once for several minutes and it sucks. De escalate at all cost, but if you need to get physical, go all the way or not at all. Half ass will definitely be your demise.
I really like this presentation within such a short time frame. Cheers from Texas.

[briangc]

In Arizona, it is legal to use deadly force when another person is in imminent danger of serious injury or death. We had this scenario happen 2 years ago and the civilian shooter was hailed a hero for saving the trooper's life. It is also legal in Az to shoot an arsonist; they are specifically mentioned in the statute. We have some pretty good laws here.

[vince]

As a retired 35 year Officer I appreciate the refresher, been retired 10years. I carry and realize I'm an old man and not the physical terror I once was. No physical actions anymore its simply shoot or don't shoot.

[mafia-xgrowtipsandreviews]

i live in a bad neighborhood one morning i came out of my home to this exact situation where a cop was fighting with a suspect and the suspect was trying to get the cops gun i did not hesitate to ask the cop if he needed help in which he responded yes help so i instantly ran over to him not armed and i proceeded to pry the hand of the suspect off the gun and belt helped the cop get him on his stomach and we both just sat on him till helped arrived. Turns out the dude was high on meth and thats why he was so strong the police chief and many other cops came to my door and thanked me for helping and said normally citizens wouldnt even bat an eye at that situation i have seen one guy die in this neighborhood already i wont have another shot especially a police officer in the end they all thanked me and really appriciated the help and i did it all cause thats what you should do as a good person with a good heart you should never ever ignore a situation in life cause you never know what you might be able to do to prevent something bad from happening just by speaking up or stepping in and being like hey whats going on here