When placing a subject under observation for the purpose of trying to determine whether or not that person is possibly armed, what is the first crucial trait that you as a Law Enforcement Officer should try to determine about that individual?

DETERMINE THEIR STRONG SIDE – Look for possible indicators such as Rings, Wristwatches, Writing,

Smoking, Lighting Cigarettes, Holding/Moving Objects, etc. to help determine a favored side.

An individual who carries a gun on their person will periodically touch that gun both consciously and unconsciously.

This is called a Security Feel.

LOOK FOR:

• Touching

• Feeling

• Adjustments

• Stiffer Arm

88% of the people in the U.S. are right handed. The majority of those right-handed people that carry handguns illegally carry them in the right front waist band, loose.

WHY

• They see it in the movies.

• It’s the “cool” thing to do.

• That is where it is the most secure and accessible

Body Movements

– conscious & unconscious (reasons/adjustments for touching, security feels, physical property of gun, when, why, how).

• Cause for slippage of weapon and when

• Stiffer arm on gun side

• Holding

• Bending

• Macho feeling

• Running (from crime, rain, traffic, bus, subways, cab, etc.)

• Leaning

• Sitting

• Reaching

• Crouching

• Turning from view for adjustment

• Pulling pants up, down

• Pulling clothing down

• Shorter arm & leg swing on gun side

• Protective turning of armed side

• Arm over center of body, etc.

• Turn and hold in crowds

• Looking down at gun

• Arm or part of arm holding snug

• Security hold with elbow on gun

• Getting in/out of vehicles

While walking or running (especially in the rain), you will notice a short or stiff arm swing and short leg stride. What are their actions when walking by person/persons, and streets/doorways, etc?

Vehicle Stops

• Look for a rising shoulder, or moving up to grab the weapon from the waistband.

• Bending over or shoulder dip to hide the weapon under a seat.

Clothing & Actions

– what features stand out, attract your attention, and arouse your suspicion.

• Clothing: Does the clothing fit the season?

• Does the clothing match?

• Is the clothing loose, or baggy?

• In cold weather, is the individuals coat unzipped or unbuttoned?

• Look for the individual wearing only one glove.

• When concealed in a jacket pocket, hood, or bag, gravity pulls that weight down – Firearms have WEIGHT

• Look for uneven dip in clothing or bags.

• Tailored in/worn out, etc.- build of subject

• Does shoes/boots match clothing (conditions)

• Does work outfits match conditions

• Pants, belts (no belt loops, but is wearing belt)

• Ponchos (wide arms, etc)

• Chains, straps, hats, etc.

• Socks (use elastic as ankle holster)

• Pockets

• Hoods and drawstrings

• Color combinations

• Gloves (one hand gloved, the other in their pocket)

• Outer garments (Are jacket, pants, shoes coordinated for dress/work/leisure?)**BULGES and certain body movements observed to discover the smallest/best concealed unholstered weapons.

Different ways guns are carried, and where they are possessed

• Waistband** (Front side, crook of back, etc.)

• Pants (Pockets, cuffs, etc.)

• Pockets (Pants, jackets, coats, etc.)

• Hats (Including hoods of sweatshirts, jackets, etc.)

• Underwear (Protective cups, etc.)

• Shoes and boots

• Bags (Hand, backpacks, pouches, shoulder)

• Radios, cameras, video recorders (all sizes)

• Grocery bags, boxes, shopping bags, etc.

• Hollow books, newspapers, cigarette packs & boxes

• Holsters (Bought, made, stolen-All types)

• Bikes & Motorcycles

• Vehicles

Confrontation tactics and apprehension

• Picking location – time, circumstances permit; where, why

• Single, multiple person stops

• Approach techniques

• Cover

• Prior knowledge of person you are approaching

• Firearm usage/ restraint/shooting tactics

• Pursuit of armed felons (auto/foot)

• Searches

• Surveillance of person/persons

• Vehicle stops and searches

• Conversation techniques with the person/persons during approach, search, questioning, and possibly processing

• Resistance by person/persons

• THINK about when you wear your gun off duty, and your actions (they are very similar).

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