Well, Eric Duncan seems to agree with me. Eric is a long-time
subscriber of MAM. We have never met in person, since he
lives on the other side of the country, but I have come to
respect a fair percentage of what he says.
As I said, Eric agrees with me about not waving the knife. Here's
what he wrote me the other day about one time when he was
working in his office with a criminal suspect. In Eric's
own words ...
Knife Waving
Knife waving- bad idea. In the course of combat, whether military or
otherwise to leave your weapons in a projected method allows the
possibility of neutralization.
Several years ago (more than 10) I was in my office. An 8 ft X 15 ft
room under the stairs. With a shoplifter who was a robbery and
murder suspect, and was considered armed and dangerous.
Oh yeah he was also a heroine addict.
I came into the office not knowing all of the circumstances of his
apprehension. I sat down at my paper filled desk and began to
collect information from him. Everyone one else left the room,
closing the door behind us.
The Suspect Wasn't Handcuffed
I asked the suspect his name and some other pertinent info.
(The suspect was not handcuffed)
After gathering the info. I phoned the local P.D. speaking with
dispatch who questioned me as to the reasons for us detaining
the subject. She queried as to his demeanor which was apathetic,
and non combative while questioning. When I said this too the
dispatcher I noticed his hand reaching for something on my desk.
"... he began moving
rapidly grabbing
a syringe ..."
He noticed that I had perceived his actions and he began moving
rapidly grabbing a syringe that was taken from him. No one had
told me about, that was buried under some of the papers on
my desk.
I jumped to my feet and he attempted at an assault with an
overhead hatchet type movement with the syringe ( that was
full of heroine). I stepped to the side due to the fact I could
not retreat because my back was against the wall.
Missing he stepped back and began and began waving the syringe
around and making stabbing motions in my direction. As the secondary
wave of the syringe passed by, I was able to pin his arm at the elbow
to his stomach and step around him blocking his way to the exit.
He Attacked Again
The suspect again pulled back and attempted a secondary overhead
attack.
This time allowing me to place an arm lock with a bent wrist to his
attacking arm.
I swept him and took him face down to the floor. The suspect still having
the syringe full of heroine in his hand was attempting to jab it into my
hand. I placed a hammer lock (or chicken wing) on him and stuck my knee
to the back of his neck and began pounding on his shoulder to try to
get him to let go.
About this time some Motor Officers of whom I did not know, kicked the
door with guns drawn with me on top of the suspect.
I exclaimed, "I'm the good guy!" As I looked down the suspect was
jabbing the needle into his buttocks and taking his last hit, for some
time to come. The thing is I never really thought about was that,that
dose of heroine bing that I am not a user. Would have killed me,
but even if I lived through the injection.
I would have probably been infected with the virus that causes AIDS.
For the direction of this exercise, the only reason that I was able to really
control the suspect and disarm him was because he waved the syringe
at me and allowed me to find his rhythm, then disarm him. If his
attacks had been simple and direct or complex direct, I would
probably be a heroine addict myself; or dead.
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