24/7 tactical: Off-duty Tactics

with Sgt. Glenn French
SWAT Operator


Here are several tips that can help you stay safe at home, or anywhere else for that matter

Policing in today’s society has become somewhat glamorous thanks to reality television shows and the moviemakers in Hollywood. This pop culture romance with police has influenced the way many officers conduct themselves off duty.

I am surprised at how many officers are willing to share their professional information on social media web sites such as Facebook and others. We all have a drawer full of t-shirts that say police in some form or fashion on them. Many of us chose not to carry a weapon off duty and how many cops do you know that have a police logo license plate or their police union sticker on their back windshield?

In tactical training, I would refer to this type of behavior as “target indicators.” I understand the root of this behavior is displaying pride in what they do. I too, am proud of my profession. However, I have asked my wife to refrain from sharing what I do with people we don’t know in social settings. My children also conduct themselves in this manner. My oldest (24 years old) will tell you that growing up in a large suburban setting was easier by not being tagged as the “cop's” kid. I suspect that this wouldn’t work in small agencies, but I think you get my point.

A Dose of Reality
Today’s society and the threats that we face require you to maintain a strong tactical mindset 24/7.

It Can Happen to Anyone
Some time ago I was living in the city I work for, and while my wife was cooking dinner, two men knocked on my front door. I was off duty at the time and answered the door. To my surprise a man that lives in the same condo complex was standing on my doorstep.

Here’s the problem. I was familiar with this man because our Narcs had advised me to be careful with this guy as he was currently under investigation for trafficking narcotics and was known to carry a handgun.

I peeked out of the doorwall before I answered the door. In an arrogant tone he stated, “Hey you’re a cop, can you fix my cousins ticket?” as he pointed to the second man standing beside him. I quickly responded by advising him to promptly leave my property, which he did.

Less than a year later that same dirt bag was arrested by narcotic officers from a neighboring jurisdiction for narcotics trafficking. While being booked in the lock up he shot and killed one of their veteran detectives. Long story short, the moral of the story here is, it could have been me.

Lesson Learned
How did knucklehead know I was a cop?

Because I would park my squad car in my driveway every night when I came home for dinner. That was a mistake and I learned a valuable lesson from that day.

When I started 20 years ago the old timers were very cautious of sharing the fact that they were cops. They lived their private lives very discreetly back in those days.

Dealing with Modern-day Threats
Why aren’t we modern-day cops as discreet as our training officers were 20 years ago when the fact is we may live and work in a more dangerous time?

Surely body armor; advanced medical technology and an increase in training surely have a significant impact on those numbers.

It was discovered recently after bin Laden’s demise that al-Qaeda has plans to take out officials of the Government on U.S. soil. We all know that al-Qaeda has demonstrated that they are efficient in assaulting police stations in Iraq. What stops them from walking up to your house and assaulting you and your family?

Any cop, anywhere and anytime can be the subject of some type of assault. Rural cops may even have it tougher because of response times. Either way, the fight will be yours, and if you’re not prepared for it, who wins?

Off-duty Tactics
Here are several tips that can help you stay safe at home, or anywhere else for that matter.

1.) Situational awareness must be active and high all the time. No matter if your walking in a crowded mall or sitting with your back to the wall watching the door in a restaurant always be aware of your surroundings.
2.) Don’t wear those police T-shirts that we all have overloading our dressers out in public. Obviously, you’re an easy target when you’re advertising you’re the police. My wife gets all my police t-shirts for nightshirts.
3.) Take those stickers off your cars that indicate you belong to a police union or support the police. Do your wife a favor and don’t put her in a position that may endanger her and your family when some dirt bag is having a bad day and targets them for revenge.
4.) Some guys advocate carrying two wallets. Myself, I carry my driver’s license, charge cards, and cash folded up and secured with a rubber band in my front pocket, while my badge (warrant card) and wallet are in another pocket. If you get robbed, hand over the folded money and cards, but leave your badge and wallet in your pocket.
5.) Walk with your wife and family on your non-master side as this frees up your master hand for any potential defensive action (eg: Unarmed Tactics).
6.) Have a code language that only you and your wife know of, such as: “Lets go for a smoke.” I don’t smoke, so she knows that when I say that, I am sensing something is not right and we need to scram.

These are only a few tips — I bet you guys have many more. Stop assuming it can’t happen to you. Stay safe.

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