LAW ENFORCEMENT, PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTOR PERSONNEL |
Law enforcement personnel in the field, at all levels, are subject to considerable and often lethal perils in the regular course of their duties. Presented below are official 2001 FBI statistics (Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2001 ed.) on physical assaults committed against law enforcement personnel nationwide: |
* A total of 9,688 law enforcement agencies reported assaults committed against a total of 56,666 officers in the line of duty. |
* Nationwide, there was an average of 12.2 assaults per 100 officers. In the western US, there was an average of 10.9 assaults per 100 officers. |
* Of all officers assaulted, nearly 29% suffered physical injuries. |
* Statistical breakdown of assault types against officers, including injury rates for each type: |
- 80.2% using personal weapons, e.g. fists, feet. 30% injury rate.
- 14.5% using dangerous weapons (excluding firearms and knives). 26.3% injury rate.
- 3.2% using firearms. 11.6% injury rate.
- 2.1% using knives and cutting weapons. 17.6% injury rate.
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These FBI statistics clearly indicate that law enforcement officers are overwhelmingly likely to be assailed in empty-hand combat scenarios, or assailed with dangerous objects other than traditional firearms and knives. These patterns, coupled with the high frequency of assaults on officers, underscore the critical importance of effective defensive tactics training. |
TPS approaches the tactical training of law enforcement personnel from the perspective of fundamental enhancement and technical refinement. There is no doubt that academy training is sound and comprehensive. However, as with any other professional field, the profession of law enforcement has a true necessity for continual education and training, especially in the area of defensive tactics. To address constantly evolving trends in the field and on the urban streets, officers must maintain a mental and tactical edge at all times.
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