Freaky Situation Yesterday

[flintknapper]

We clear with two officers.

Depending on the building it could be done with two, the military likes to have at least 3 (someone to cover the "six" and elevated positions) but their entries tend to be more dynamic. Two wouldn't work in my home, the floorplan makes it a nightmare to clear.

You could do more but the key is NEVER to separate anyone from the group - you stay together as a team. A separate group or person wandering around is more likely to get shot.

Maybe. It also creates a target rich environment and affords a "shooter" the opportunity to engage several officers with little movement on his part. Splitting off (especially when entering rooms)... puts the threat at a tactical disadvantage because he must contend with fire/threats from at least two positions. Again, it depends on the circumstance and the level of training the officers have as to whether or not this is a viable tactic.

With large warehouses or office buildings we usually call for a K-9 officer to clear it with his dog - they usually do it all alone.

Makes sense. A good dog will use his keen eyesight, hearing and sense of smell to locate a threat and "alert" the officer. You wouldn't want anyone except the handler in there with the animal, the dogs job is to locate a person (anyone). They will not necessarily make any distinction between cop and crook. So, if the dog has been "sent" rather than on tether, I know I wouldn't want to be in there.

[Daltex1]

You guys are making it seem as I was Gung-ho going and clearing my house, that is not the case at all...I know property is not worth losing your life over but insurance does not cover things you can not replace. I do not at all think anyone should do this , as I was lucky not to confront some crackhead in my house. I will think twice about doing that again. It is just not what you are making me out to be, some gun-toting guy eager to confront the BG and get a kill. NOT AT ALL.

[jbirds1210]

You guys are making it seem as I was Gung-ho going and clearing my house, that is not the case at all...

I hope that you did not take my comments as an insult......they were not intended to be.

There was a time when I would have done the same thing. Do some reading on what many refer to as the "fatal funnel". A google search will likely bring up plenty. The training that I have had in clearing a house is just enough to know that I am not doing it by myself unless it is absolutely necessary. Also remember that houses are full of concealment, but VERY LITTLE effective cover.

You did what you thought had to be done....nothing wrong with that. We just have some different opinions. Have a great day.

Jason

[casingpoint]

With large warehouses or office buildings we usually call for a K-9 officer to clear it with his dog

Like the cop said in San Marcos, “It's just a dog. You can buy another one. Relax.”
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5954510.html

[Excaliber]

Even at a 3 to 1 ratio is it tricky and dangerous

We clear with two officers. You could do more but the key is NEVER to separate anyone from the group - you stay together as a team. A separate group or person wandering around is more likely to get shot.

With large warehouses or office buildings we usually call for a K-9 officer to clear it with his dog - they usually do it all alone.

I agree two is the minimum for inside clearing. My agency used 2 outside at diagonally opposed corners of the building as well to block escape of anyone who made it to an exit before the search team found them. This worked pretty well - if the bad guy was inside when we got there, he left in the back of a patrol car one way or another. We were fortunate to have enough personnel to execute that tactic in a 200 man agency. Not every department has the resources to put that many folks at one incident scene all the time.

[flintknapper]

You guys are making it seem as I was Gung-ho going and clearing my house, that is not the case at all...I know property is not worth losing your life over but insurance does not cover things you can not replace. I do not at all think anyone should do this , as I was lucky not to confront some crackhead in my house. I will think twice about doing that again. It is just not what you are making me out to be, some gun-toting guy eager to confront the BG and get a kill. NOT AT ALL.

Naw,

We are just being quick to point out (if you didn't already know) that "clearing" a building (even one you know) is inherently dangerous. It's your safety we are concerned with.

If you haven't already had training...then study up on it and you will quickly see why.

I'd do it alone if family members or loved ones were in immediate peril, but would never do it to prevent theft of property or with the idea that I was going to "catch" the crook.

Another thing to consider (and this applies to the agencies that send in just two officers), is that more and more...these days, burglaries and home invasions are done in groups, meaning more than one person.

DO NOT "assume" you will meet up with just ONE person/threat....or that they will necessarily "give up" when you confront them.

So, please do not take the advice offered here...as "admonishment"... but instead an effort to help you and others recognize the danger involved.

Respectfully,

Flint.

[Excaliber]

You guys are making it seem as I was Gung-ho going and clearing my house, that is not the case at all...I know property is not worth losing your life over but insurance does not cover things you can not replace. I do not at all think anyone should do this , as I was lucky not to confront some crackhead in my house. I will think twice about doing that again. It is just not what you are making me out to be, some gun-toting guy eager to confront the BG and get a kill. NOT AT ALL.

Naw,

We are just being quick to point out (if you didn't already know) that "clearing" a building (even one you know) is inherently dangerous. It's your safety we are concerned with.

If you haven't already had training...then study up on it and you will quickly see why.

I'd do it alone if family members or loved ones were in immediate peril, but would never do it to prevent theft of property or with the idea that I was going to "catch" the crook.

Another thing to consider (and this applies to the agencies that send in just two officers), is that more and more...these days, burglaries and home invasions are done in groups, meaning more than one person.

DO NOT "assume" you will meet up with just ONE person/threat....or that they will necessarily "give up" when you confront them.

So, please do not take the advice offered here...as "admonishment"... but instead an effort to help you and others recognize the danger involved.

Respectfully,

Flint.

We're not beatin' ya up - we just want to make sure you'll be around to participate in future posts!

An excellent book that provides a no nonsense look at the realities of home clearing (and many other valuable topics) is Lewis Awerbuck's Tactical Reality. It's quick reading, very entertaining......and very sobering. Reading it would give you a solid way to help separate the wheat from the chaff on forums like this one. I think you'll like it a lot.