Devil’s Advocate:
The anti-knife training argument…
Over the
years, and despite the enormous need and desire for knife tactics training, I have
heard some interesting myths surrounding knife tactics training for peace officers.
Most of the time, the “myths” comes from the person(s) allocating budgets or
writing policy. As many of you take the information you gleaned during the Tactical Knife Options class
back to your agencies, I thought it would be beneficial for me to share some of
the myths I have encountered; and my responses. I do this in hopes of providing
you solid, logical responses/counter-points that you can use proactively in
your presentations of facts/information to the powers that be.
I have found
that most arguments against knife tactics training boil down to either negative Perception of the
knife, or cost to train officers with the knife.
Ø Myth 1 (perception): We will re-name
and refer (in policy) to the knife our officers carry as a “Life Saving Tool”,
a “device”, or a “Multi-Purpose Tool”. Or we will limit the size of the knife
they carry. If we do either or both of the above, the knife won’t be considered
or perceived as a weapon and we will be protected liability wise.
o
Answer: C.R.S. 18-1-901(1)€(II) defines a “knife”
as a deadly weapon. It does not differentiate between folding or fixed blade
knives. It does not reference overall size or blade length, manufacturer or
color. It is simply a Deadly Weapon. (Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 18: Criminal Code, 2012)
o
A
knife is the only other tool (in addition to the firearm) that an officer
carries on his person that is defined as a “deadly weapon”.
o
If
a Criminal was threatening and/or coming at an Officer with that same “Life
Saving Device” or a knife with only a 2.5 inch blade, would the officer be
justified in shooting him? Yes! Because it is still a deadly threat; i.e.
weapon.
Ø Myth 2 (perception): If an
officer is facing a deadly threat, he can “make do” or improvise and use
whatever he needs to, to stay alive, including a knife. So we are covered under
that umbrella and don’t need specific training.
o
Answer: Then wouldn’t the same hold true for
firearms? Why do officers have to pass firearms training in the academy and
qualify every year? Would you allow a new officer, first day in FTO, to carry a
firearm with absolutely no training or certification? Of course not. We train
in order to have consistent, documented
training records.
o
Duty
to train: If an officer carries a weapon knowing
that in the course of his duties, there is a chance (however slight) he may
have to use that weapon; he is legally obligated to train with it. The agency,
likewise, is obligated to either provide training with that weapon, or the
opportunity to train with that weapon.
o
Lack
of confidence (in one’s training, ability and/or skill) is the leading cause of
excessive use-of-force cases. When an officer’s confidence is low, he tends to
panic and over-react. Training increases confidence and morale; improves ability
and builds skills. Dave Grossman states: “In a combat (like situation) one does
not rise to the occasion. He simply defaults to his level of training”.
o
If
an officer shoots someone, there is a very high
probability that he and the agency will be sued. Even if it is a completely textbook,
legal shoot. The first thing the plaintiff’s attorney attacks is training. If there is no documented (POST
approved) training then there is a gaping negligence and opportunity for
liability. The high probability for litigation is because it is a high level or deadly force situation. The same would hold true for use of a duty-knife by an officer.
Ø Myth 3 (cost): We train our officers in basic “knife
defense” and that should suffice. There is no need for offensive tactics
training.
o
Answer: Do you train officers in Defensive
TASER tactics? How about Defensive OC Pepper Spray Tactics? Defensive Baton? No?
How about “Matrix” training; where officers are taught how to evade or “slip” a
bullet by contorting their bodies? We teach officers how to use these weapons
offensively. How to shoot, spray, TASE, and strike. We use offensive tactics to
defend ourselves and others. The same should be true for the knife.
o
When
someone learns the offensive tactics with any weapon, they become more aware
and in tune with how that weapon works, how it is deployed and used. This knowledge
then makes them better able to recognize the threat and counter an attack with
that weapon. You HAVE to teach offensive
before you teach defensive.
Ø Myth 4 (cost): It is easier and more cost effective
to not allow our officers to
carry a knife.
o
Answer: Officers have multiple less-lethal options
that they carry, (OC, baton, TASER, arrest control open-hand). They are trained
and certified with each one. However, officers carry only two deadly force
options on their persons: A Firearm and a Knife.
o
If
you take away the knife, you limit them to one deadly force option. What if the
officer loses the firearm option? Then they are left to inadequately try to neutralize
and control a deadly threat with less than appropriate means. This is simply morally
unacceptable and tactically unwise.
§ Officers get dis-armed. (50% of officers
shot and killed in Colorado in 2010-2011 were shot with their own weapon).
§ Officer suffers a major malfunction or
runs out of ammo.
§ Sometimes it is inappropriate or
tactically unwise to shoot (ex: crowds…)
§ Weapons retention. If the officer is
fighting for control over his weapon, he can’t shoot at that moment.
o
Is
it more cost effective to save money in the short term and not train officers,
rolling the dice and hoping a million dollar law suit won’t happen? Or better
to spend money now; equip and train officers and prevent law suits from
happening in the long term?
I hope this
helps. If you have encountered any myths or other arguments against knife
tactics training, please share them. You probably are not the only one. Let me
know if you have any input, insight, comments or questions. And feel free to
share the info. Good luck!
“Never, ever, ever settle for mediocrity in a
business where being average can be fatal”
Jeff
