Roll Down the Window...What did you say?

Good cops drive with their windows partially down. Weather, temperature, precipitation outside is irrelevant. You have to be able to hear. Gang members call out their set; people whistle to get your attention, glass breaking; people mocking you or gun shots. More than one cops has jammed on the brakes, walked up to a thug and said, "What did you say?" Nothing....I didn't think so. Words are important.

A friend of mine was on patrol with his window partially down. As he rolled through the neighborhood he heard the distinct sound of gun fire. It was close. He put it over the radio moving cars into the neighborhood. Two guys pop out of an alley and give him the guilty O’ Crap look. P whips the car around and gets out immediately. Sitting in the car is precarious. It does give you a little more protection, metal is stronger than flesh, but restricts your movement and options. The two pass something between them raising the level of danger. As P exits the car the pair split and walk different directions. This is not good. They have the tactical advantage. They have superior numbers, possibly more and better weaponry and now positional advantage.

P focuses on the man who accepted the exchange and then bladed to see the one behind him. As P breaks leather and brings his gun on target, he yells in a stern command voice to the man to the front. “Police, drop the gun.” P is watches the man behind him out of the corner of his eye. The man hears P’s words and turns toward P. P levels the gun. Its leveled at his chest. P is prepared to shot the threat. P yells again. “Police, drop the gun.” The man’s torso turns. The gun rises as if in super slow motion. P can almost count the millimeters of the gun rise. Paul fires one round and the man goes down as the gun metal makes a sickening sound. It hits the pavement. The man to the rear makes no movement. He hears P’s words, sees the gun and listens.

The man on the ground moves and P moves in to stop him from rearming. P can hear the sirens blazing to his location. The man tries to get up and P pushes him to the ground. The one round gun fight is over. As it turns out P thinks the two drunks were firing rounds at a tree when P heard them. They passed the 40 cal Glock like a hot potato back and forth. The man with the gun evidently did not believe P’s words. He did not listen to instruction. He should have dropped the gun (especially since it was jammed). As it turns out the twisting of the body allowed the round to transverse through his shirt avoiding a direct and probably lethal hit.

Each police shooting undergoes a thorough review. It allows the police to refine their tactics and make sure everything we do is transparent and within law and policy. The review panel felt P should have said, “Police. Don’t move. Instead of, “Police, Drop the gun.” To them, words matter. (I personally believe the drunk would have turned anyway and the officer would have fired.)

Words do mean something. After 30 years of policing I have learned the more important to topic, the more important the words become.

Some teachers of Old Testament law taught there was no resurrection from the dead. Once you die, that’s it your gone. So to trap Jesus they asked him a complex question about the resurrection of the dead. (Luke 20:27-39) Jesus responded by quoting Exodus 3:6 Moses was at the burning bush in the middle of the desert. God told Moses to take off his shoes as the ground was Holy. (God was there.) Then God said, “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” Abe, Isaac and Jacob came before Moses by hundreds of years. They were dead and gone. But God said, “I am” the God of the founders of the Jewish faith. In other words (remember they count) He is still their GOD. They are alive. There is a resurrection of the dead.

Sometimes the problem is we can understand the plain words spoken. The disciples had this problem. Jesus “opened” their minds to understand, “The Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the 3rd day and repentance and forgiveness of sins. These words are vitally important. There is a resurrection and that by believing in Jesus (His death, burial and resurrection) we can experience the resurrection too.

Jesus! Don’t move…your life depends on it!

Foot Pursuit! and the Dog Ear Fence

One of the most dangerous events cops can take part of is foot pursuits.

Ryan and his team went to a Market Street gang house. When you approach from the front, people flee from the back. All of those with warrants and dope head for the fence in the backyard. Even a fast cop has trouble catching someone with a 50 yard head start. When you are chasing a skinny Market Street gang member who you have by 100 pounds and 15 years, not to mention 30 pounds of equipment, its easy to see why they get away.

The team approached the front and two GST officers slipped into the backyard. The knock and notice officer yelled out in his command voice…while pounding on the door, “San Diego Police! 4th waiver search. Demand entry. They got the expected reaction. The backdoor flew open and three gang members bolted right behind it. One was swept off his feet, another was cornered in the yard by a snarling gang officer. One jumped the fence to freedom. EAST BOUND! Through the houses, was yelled over radio channel City Tac 3.

Ryan was in front and immediately ran east. He could see flashlights and officers yelling, Police Stop! No such luck. The kid was faster than his pursuers at jumping and running. The first rule of foot pursuits, when you can no longer see the suspect look below you, he went to ground. The yelling stopped as the cat and mouse game became intense. The kid went to ground. But where? Was he armed? Lying in wait? Ready to ambush an officer?

Ryan estimated he was slightly ahead of the fleet of foot felon and cut up between the houses, quietly. He crouched down below the fence line. The ear piece kept the radio quite and nothing jingles on his belt that would give his position away. Even rookie cops know to stow their keys in a back pocket. Crouching behind the fence someone yells over the radio we lost him 6 or 7 houses east of the target. Ryan was there, but how close. His eyes are now adjusting to the pitch darkness as his pupils dilate to accept more lighting.

Ryan hears some movement on the west side of the fence. It’s close. Suddenly, two hands grab the dog eared top of the redwood fence. Those hands are directly above Ryan. A former all America outside line backer for the Salukis, he is used to grabbing people and taking them down. Not too many QB’s slipped from his grasp. Ryan grabbed Lil Joker’s hands pinning them to the dog eared boards. Panic set in. Lil Joker tried to free himself. No use, Ryan is much stronger. The chasing officers now hear the commotion and light up the pair of hand holders with flashlights. He struggles and Ryan decides to do something. Ryan punches through the fence grabbing Lil Joker’s side. Joker kicks the fence sending wood into Ryan’s face. Ryan releases the trapped hand and punches through the fence but on the right side this time. Ryan has Lil Joker by both sides of the waist as Joker thrashes in desperation. Ryan pulls him through the remaining three slats of wood. Lil Joker is done. He is booked on his residential burglary warrants.

Some people run (or do things) because they believe they will get away. Some cops reinforce this because when someone runs they give up the foot pursuit. (Not many cops because this is what you signed up for) For some it’s too dangerous, difficult or stressful. This just reinforces the idea that nothing will be done to them if they run. In fact the Mayor of Welford, S.C. banded foot pursuits by the police. http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=78680. She felt it was too dangerous and cost the city too much money.

Some think the Lord will not chase them. They reason, He does not care enough about them to chase. Zephaniah the prophet thought differently about Jerusalem. “At that time I (Lord God) will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish the complacent, those who are like wine left on the dregs, who thing, “The Lord will do nothing either good or bad.” What was the offense worth of searching Jerusalem? Zep 3: they were a city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled. She did not trust in the Lord, she did not draw near.”

Hummmm. I may believe in Christ, but am I trusting and drawing near? You never know who is lurking on the opposite side of a dog eared fence.

Jail Bait...Auto Theft in Logan

The police use geo-mapping to determine where to position field forces, run operations and have investigators focus their efforts. If you looked at 1900 Logan, other than one of the best Mexican restaurants in to world, you would see what analysts call a “crime hot spot.” The brighter and more intense the color the great the levels of crime. 1900 Logan burns red hot on a map.

Our auto theft unit runs operations all over the city. They work in an undercover capacity buying stolen cars, breaking up chop shops, identifying auto theft rings and running proactive operations. John is a bright and capable detective who decided to put out a bait car. Even if you pick the model most often stolen and park it in one of those hot spots, research shows it’s not very likely to have much effect. Some how you have to bring a little subtle attention to the car. Too much attention and the crooks sense a set up. These are specially designed cars that can be controlled remotely. It’s actually kind of funny to watch. (Sleuth channel on cable TV carries it frequently.)

John had a brilliant idea. It would certainly test the integrity of the gang banging auto thieves at 1900 Logan. He called one of my undercover female detectives and asked her to drive the “bait” vehicle to 1900 Logan. The woman he picked is one of the nicest people I know. Sandy is one of those people you like immediately. You just get a sense about her. She is a good and kind person. Evidently the people at 1900 Logan thought so also.

When they arrived on Logan, John forced her off the roadway with his car. She screamed at him. “What are you doing?” John jumped out of the car and stood at her window yelling, “How could you? You aren’t going anywhere!” Her window was down as they yelled. All the neighbors came out the houses and were now on the porch watching the disturbance. John grabbed her by the hair. She fought him off. He pulled her from the car and they struggled in the middle of the street. John is a big man and the UC is small. He dragged her to the waiting car, stuffed her in the passenger seat leaving the bait car running and the door open. John peeled out and drove out of sight. The police radio in the UC car was on Freq 5 – Central Division.

The two detectives laughed and gave each other academy awards as they rounded the corner,knowing someone would take the bait…car. The radio operator blurted on the radio…Units to clear for a DV in progress. We have multiple calls (10) of a white male, 6’2” pulling the hair and beating a 5’2” woman. We are hot calling this. LD01…in a dead pan voice meant to calm down those rolling to calls of violence, Okay it appears that he has kidnapped the woman and forced her into a small compact car. The car is away, east on Logan. We only have a partial plate, 6 William, Baker, Edward 64*. The car turned south on 21st and out of sight. Okay we have a new caller on cell phone who saw the incident, he is telling CT (Call Taker) 38 the car is still running. He will protect the car until units arrive. This caller is a Latino Male, 32 years, 5’9” 185. 524King we are two minutes out. When they arrived they found the man standing by the car guarding it.

John sat in the car around the corner listening to the radio traffic. Are you kidding me? John got on the air…1734 delta have the units on the scene of that DV 207flip over to D-2. Sandy is in hysterics laughing at the creative auto theft detective. Hey guys that’s a bait car and that was a UC operation. Just shut the car off and we’ll get the keys from you later. The residents at 1900 Logan performed well.

Something baits all of us. Sometimes it blatant sin and other times its attitude and beliefs. I Peter 1 challenges me on this. V 15 ff for it is God’s will that by doing good (works) you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men but do not use your freedom as a cover up for evil; LIVE as servants of God. (How?) Show proper respect to everyone: LOVE the brotherhood (fellow believers) FEAR God, HONOR the king.

The people of Logan showed their good works by calling the police and protecting the car. How are we tangibly showing our love for fellow believers, fearing (showing respect) toward God and how are we honoring the king?

If one were to read Christian blogs about this current administration and legislature would it appear we honor the king? If we don’t the prediction will be true, we will encourage the "ignorant talk of foolish men." We are just giving Bill Maher additional cannon fodder.

Fight for the Gun

You become a real cop when you understand your power. A good cop is not too timid to walk up to complete strangers and go hands on reaching deep into their pockets. Nor is he/she too officious, making everyone miserable with their presence. The officious are often cynical, negative and don’t understand the letter of the law verses the spirit of the law, forgetting to balance being human with being right all the time. Good cops snooker people into cooperation. Yes, snooker is a real police term and if its not it should be.

Paul is a strapping man. At 6’3” he is a formidable presence in a blue uniform. His low key approach to police contacts is contrasted by his size and athleticism. Paul recently stopped to contact three Asian gangsters at 47th and Market, ground zero in gang warfare. They were standing by a car in the parking lot of a liquor store. Now, the difference between a real cop and a poser is the ability to spot criminals “doing nothing” and detain them without their realization as opposed to driving by making excuses why you could not contact them.

Paul got out of his patrol car and approached on foot. A couple of close cover units converged to lend support. One of the three gangsters casually walked into the liquor store as if to buy something. He is the one you want. He has something to hide. Dope, warrants, a gun…Paul walked after him as the GST units took the others. Speed walking toward the guilty, Paul sent out a salutation, “He bud…where you going?” Oh, just to grab a pack of cigs. Talk to me for a few seconds if you don’t mind. Yeah, I’d rather not. Why not? Paul closed the gap standing face to face with the gangster. Silence, he had nothing to say.

Hey didn’t I talk to you a few weeks ago. Paul escalated the contact. “Turn around” as he guided the gangster with his hand on the cusp of the elbow. I’m gonna “pat” you for weapons. I ain’t on probation. You can’t touch me…can you? He was clearly a man who did not understand his lack of power. Too late, both hands were behind his back in the firm grip of a determined police sergeant who understood his powers, both physical and legal. The elbows rose, the palms tried to separate, the sign of imminent escape. Immediately Asian Gangster (Oriental Killer Boyz) decided to keep concealed what was hidden. The fight was on!

Paul went for the carotid restraint, (legal term) it’s really a choke hold where you cut off the blood supply to the brain for 30 seconds and they drop like a fly. Paul simultaneously tracked the movement of the gangster’s hands with his free hand. Mr. OKB was reaching for his waist band. Not good! That is where 65% of crooks carry their guns. Paul yells for cover to the guys outside. The door is shut and they could not hear him. Paul saw the glitter of the barrel of the gun coming out. Flashing through his mind is the choice. Keep the fight going and overcome the man with strength and skill or push off and go to guns. A quick double tap would send the man to eternity.

Paul grabed the Killer Boyz gun hand and forced it away from his head. The clerk dove for cover. The two combatants crashed into the potato chip stand and back to the candy bar section splashing Three Musketeer bars onto the counter. Paul dislodged the gun by slamming his hand into a metal stand. He dragged the semi-unconscious man out the door where two 240 pound cops pounced on the motionless body of a sorry gangster. Paul walked in to recover the cocked 9mm handgun. Paul was successful because he understood his police, physical and his psychological power over this gang member. The only thing the gang member had going for him was his age.

In Mark 6 Jesus called the 12 disciples and gave them POWER. He instructed for them to go out in pairs serving the people with an awesome display of divine power. These unschooled and ordinary men took no money or material support. They were stripped of that earthly power. They went divine power. The result: people to repented, casted out demons and the sick were healed.

We (me) don’t fully understand our power in Christ. We are either too weak or unconvincing as followers of Christ, or overly officious/obnoxious causing distain, just like some cops. When used appropriately powerful faith is a gift. Paul to Timothy: God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love and self discipline. Let’s exercise our power as believers…the power to love, lead and learn about the Savior and all the good that comes through Him.