Defensive Tactics, Subject Control, and Officer Survival

Comprehensive flashcards covering defensive tactics, subject control levels, levels of resistance, tactical positioning, nerve points, weapon retention, disarming, and autonomic nervous system responses.

Disarming a Subject

The three steps an officer should take when disarming a subject: 1. Party the weapon and move the target, 2. Secure the weapon, and 3. Disarm and stun.

Subject Weapon Take Attempt

A deadly force encounter that occurs when a subject attempts to take an officer's weapon.

Weapon Retention

A four-step procedure consisting of: 1. Stabilize the grip, 2. Pull weapons to center, 3. Release and stun, and 4. Distract if release fails.

Disarming Preparation Issues

The four issues that can help officers prepare for disarming: 1. Relative distance, 2. Absolute commitment, 3. Follow up control, and 4. Distraction windows.

Femoral

A nerve pressure point located on the inside of the thigh, halfway between the groin and the knee.

Common Peroneal

A nerve motor point located on the outside of the leg about six inches above the knee.

Tibial

A nerve motor point located at the top of the calf muscle, just below the knee joint.

Superficial Peroneal

A nerve target located at the base of the shin, just above the instep.

Brachial Plexus Origin

A nerve pressure point located on the side of the neck between the two groups of Streno Cleido Mastoid muscles.

Supra Scapular

A nerve motor point located at the junction where the trapezoid muscles connect to the side of the neck.

Radial

A nerve motor point located on top of the forearm, approximately 2 inches below the elbow.

Median

A nerve motor point located on the inside of the forearm at the base of the wrist, just above the heel of the hand.

Stunning

The control principle that is defined as 'the stimulation of overwhelming sensory input that is sudden intense and unexpected'.

Pain Compliance

The use of pain to control resistive behavior; if held too long after a subject complies, the subject will either become unconscious or increase resistance.

Motor Dysfunction

A control striking technique, which overstimulates motor nerves, resulting in temporary muscle impairment (nothing more than a cramp); the primary desired result of an angle kick to the common peroneal.

Reactionary Gap

The zone of recommended safe distance / minimum safe zone that affords a staff member time to defend against aggression (6-10 feet plus length of a weapon).

Tactical Reactionary Options

The two tactical reactionary options available to an officer: to penetrate or to disengage.

Transport Wristlock

A technique designed to control side curl resistance (when a client pulls their arm in towards their chest from escort) by applying pressure to the index knuckle of the subject.

Palm Heel Strike

A striking technique that targets the chest.

Angle Kick or Knee Strike

Striking techniques that target the Common Peroneal or Femoral.

Front Thrust Kick

A kicking technique that targets the Superficial Peroneal.

Relative Position: Inside

A tactical position directly in front of the subject that should be avoided.

Relative Position: Level 1

(Interview) In front and to the side with staff body bladed away.

Relative Position: Level 2

A tactical positioning located directly to the side of the subject.

Relative Position: Level 2 1/2

(Escort) In back and to the side; the tactical position that should be used to approach for both handcuffing and the Escort Position.

Relative Position: Level 3

(Ambush) Positioned directly behind the subject.

Joint Locks

A soft empty hand control technique that is always preceded by a distraction technique (such as a knee strike to the common peroneal).

Expressive Body Indicators

Level 1 of Resistance; non-verbal cues including a stare, clenched fist, assuming a combative stance, and glaring at staff.

Verbal Non-Compliance

Level 2 of Resistance; client verbally disobeys staff order, threats, or any spoken response indicating the subject's unwillingness to obey commands.

Passive Resistance

Level 3 of Resistance; subject exhibits dead weight or goes limp.

Defensive Resistance

Level 4 of Resistance; a physical act designed to prevent the officer from gaining control, such as a client pulling away during handcuffing.

Active Aggression

Level 5 of Resistance; occurs when a client strikes or kicks staff in a non-deadly force manner.

Deadly Force Assaults

Level 6 of Resistance; life-threatening actions such as when a client stabs staff with a knife.

Officer/Staff Presence

Level 1 of Control; establishing authority through visual identification, such as wearing a badge or uniform.

Verbal Direction

Level 2 of Control; giving an order or command to gain subject compliance.

Chemical Agents

Level 3 of Control; chemical aerosol control options such as OC (MK-4).

Empty Hand Control

Level 4 of Control, divided into: a. Soft Empty Hand (joint locks), and b. Hard Empty Hand (striking, kicking, punching).

Intermediate Weapon Control

Level 5 of Control, such as striking with an impact weapon to the tibial nerve; justified if empty hand control has failed or is believed to be insufficient to establish control, and deadly force is not justified.

Immediate Incapacitation

Level 6 of Control; Deadly Force Control, such as shooting a suspect.

Autonomic Nervous System

The system that controls involuntary actions and is divided into two branches: Parasympathetic and Sympathetic.

Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)

The branch of the autonomic nervous system that operates in mainly quiet, non-stressful conditions (rest & digest).

Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)

The branch of the autonomic nervous system that acts to prepare the body to react to stressful situations (fight or flight); during activation, research demonstrates an officer does not perform in the manner trained in traditional training programs.

Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) Triggers

High-stress conditions that activate the SNS: the threat is within close proximity, fear of death, and physical exhaustion.