I think its important to paint yourself as the victim, even in the most general terms like I mentioned.
If you have indeed acted justifiably there is nothing that could be turned against you when you state:
1) You acted in self-defense
2) You will sign any complaint against your attacker
3) Point out witnesses
4) Maintain your 5th Amendment Right after those facts have been preserved.
Otherwise you may be viewed as a homicide suspect and not a decent citizen forced to do a terrible thing.
I would NOT state any more than that.
Michael Brown
If you have indeed acted justifiably there is nothing that could be turned against you when you state:
1) You acted in self-defense
2) You will sign any complaint against your attacker
3) Point out witnesses
4) Maintain your 5th Amendment Right after those facts have been preserved.
Otherwise you may be viewed as a homicide suspect and not a decent citizen forced to do a terrible thing.
I would NOT state any more than that.
Michael Brown
I have no qualms witht hat whatsoever, Micheal. I think that is a very wise plan. I just know that after a critical incident, people tend to develop diarrhea of the mouth....
I agree.
Its the reason we train tape-loop statements in training. If you don't train it, diharria of the mouth is a distinct possibility.
Michael Brown
Its the reason we train tape-loop statements in training. If you don't train it, diharria of the mouth is a distinct possibility.
Michael Brown
Michael, thank you for your input. I always place great value on your advice.
I hope that I am never forced into that situation. If it ever does happen, I will follow your advice. One more question still remains. What should we do with respect to our weapons?
I hope that I am never forced into that situation. If it ever does happen, I will follow your advice. One more question still remains. What should we do with respect to our weapons?
Mack45 said:
If you mean what to do with them physically when officers respond, there are a few reaonable options.
1) Back in the holster
2) Under one of your feet.
3) On something (car hood, dresser) that you can access until their arrival but the suspect can't, and also allows you to quickly back away when officers arrive.
4) If you are in public and need to keep your weapon pointed at a suspect until police arrival, its a little trickier. You are going to have to keep your head, but not your arms, on a swivel to make sure you see their arrival. If they approach and you don't see them but hear them first, take the chance that its not some bad guy and just put the gun down slowly and put your hands up without turning around. You don't want to survive the assault and not survive the police response.
#3 frequently allows you the best of both worlds in this case but is not feasible if you are in a crowded area.
These are certainly not all the possible responses but are some to consider.
Michael Brown
Michael Brown said:
Excuse my ignorance,but is that really a good idea?
Witnesses see what they want to see,or report what they *think* they saw sometimes.
IMO,you could possibly be doing yourself more harm than good.
Thank you for the advice. I appreciate those that understood the seriousness of my question. I wasn't asking how to beat a murder rap. I never really thought about what to say or do after the police arrive, I wanted to know what to do until they get there and what they would want to see on arrival. I am sure I would be nervous, and pretty shaken up.
I don't desire to kill anyone. I value life, but I realize that I may be called upon one day to take a life in defense of my life or the lives of my loved ones against those that don't. That is a mental commitment I have made and will live with.
I don't desire to kill anyone. I value life, but I realize that I may be called upon one day to take a life in defense of my life or the lives of my loved ones against those that don't. That is a mental commitment I have made and will live with.
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