Yesterday, I raised the issue of 911 operators, labeling them a dangerous distraction. I suggested that armed citizens facing a defensive gun use (DGU) tell the 911 operator who they are, where they are, what they look like and what’s happening (in simple terms). And then cease communication. Today I want to point out that the cops are not the U.S. Cavalry. They may be rushing to your rescue but, as Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor found out (back in the day), the cavalry can arrive too late. And that means you want to continue the fight until the moment you know for sure that the scene is secure. From the danger of the police as well. ‘Cause the cops can have, you know, problems. To wit this from officer.com . . .
After Los Angeles Police Department radio communications went down for half the day on Tuesday, a city councilman on Wednesday demanded the firing of the official whose agency caused the problem.
Councilman Mitch Englander said he will call for the dismissal of General Services Department general manager Tony Royster for the power outage Tuesday at Mount Lee, where all LAPD radio communications equipment is housed.
Englander, who is a reserve officer, said General Services crews were sent to the Mount Lee facility — located not far from the Hollywood sign — to test a backup generator. However, he said, the test failed and knocked out all power at Mount Lee, shutting down radio communications.
“It placed the public and officers at extreme risk,” Englander said.
LAPD officials and the Mayor’s Office, however, said backup systems were used that ultimately prevented any serious breakdowns in communication . . .
“When that equipment didn’t work, other redundant systems kicked in at the LAPD,” spokesman Peter Sanders said. “The LAPD successfully handled 911 calls and no emergency responses were threatened.”
Englander, however, insisted that the problem was more serious than that. The communications breakdown meant a delayed response to emergencies, as 911 calls had to be answered manually with operators then calling stations to dispatch an officer, he said.
So just a slight delay, then. Or a coverup. No, not a coverup. Large bureaucratic organizations like big city police departments are highly efficient entities with well-trained and prepared employees who always hold the public’s interest as their number one priority. Or not.
Let’s face it: cops screw-up. Not all the time. Some of the time. Sometimes they go to the wrong address. Sometimes they fail to properly analyze a violent situation. Sometimes they shoot the wrong person. Hey, shit happens. My point being: don’t depend on the cops to bail you out. Not until they do.
To paraphrase John Lennon, death is what happens when you’re making other plans. In other words, if you let your guard down—It’s OK honey the police are on their way—you are making a serious strategic mistake. Lest we forget, the police were busy setting up a perimeter around Dr. Petit’s house when two ex-cons began to rape and kill his family.
There’s nothing wrong with assuming a defensive position (whether inside or outside your home) and waiting for the cops to arrive—as long as that defensive position is defensible and you can defend that defensive position over a suitable period of time. In rural areas especially, the cops can take an awfully long time to arrive.
But don’t not have a Plan B. What do I do if no one’s coming to my rescue? At the risk of repeating myself (and Mssr. Émile-Auguste Chartier), nothing is more dangerous as an idea—when it’s the only one you have. Make sure you keep the OODA loop spinning even after you call 911.
By the same token, assume that the cops are going to mistake you for the bad guy, no matter how obvious it is that you’re the taxpayer they’ve come to “save” (e.g., you described yourself and your location to the 911 operator). As soon as you KNOW you’re safe, put your gun down. Hopefully, before the cops clap eyes on you.
Raise your hands? Sure, why not? Shout “I CALLED THE POLICE” or “I AM THE HOMEOWNER”? Can’t hurt. Avoid sudden movement? Abso-damn-lutely. I’m not saying the cops are out to get you. I am saying they may get you anyway. Or, if you prefer, Kravitz. It ain’t over ’til it’s over. And then the legal tussle begins. Which beats dying. At least in theory.