Comments on: Today’s Would-Be Hostage

By: Trudi Newbury

Trudi Newbury — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:02:21 +0000

I just found this blog, and really appreciate the perspective, Sandra. Thanks for doing this!

I can absolutely imagine why this woman behaved so counter-productively. In Canada, the only place that urban populations see people with guns is on TV. Years ago, in Edmonton, I saw police officers with guns drawn and it was a huge shock — as if a TV show suddenly broke out into my living room. Just not real. A person may well go into shock, *particularly* if they had their child with them, and not know what to prioritize. I know that I would freeze, and I’m quite sure that my decision-making skills would be impaired. On the subject, you may find Malcolm Gladwell’s “Blink” of interest.

As for the young woman who responded negatively to being ordered by the police officer, my interaction with police in the pursuit of their business has been generally unpleasant (not including getting tickets, of course!) (is this a good place to mention that I’m a very law-abiding, responsible Canadian citizen??) because of the tone taken and what comes across as the lack of respect, and bullying behaviour. I’m wondering if training might profitably include how to communicate more flexibly. Canadians in particular are accustomed to the concept that professionals address them courteously. As well, it might help police officers to investigate the theory that people are hard-wired to better respond to certain sentence structures than others: interrogative, statement-as-a-fact, challenge, and directive (“Language of the Subconscious”). Police officers overwhelmingly use, and probably respond best to, directive. It might be worth giving a try to a different wording if a person completely balks at directive, e.g., “See if you can’t hear me! You need to move! Are you hearing me!? (that’s challenge, statement-as-a-fact, and question)” The obvious objection will be that it takes too much time; however, how much time did the officer spend “forcing” the woman to obey?

So, just a few meandering thoughts because the subject matter is quite interesting.

Once again, Sandra, much thanks, both for the work that you, your partner, and fellow officers do, and for this opportunity to see inside the blue line.

By: Kari Chellouf

Kari Chellouf — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:18:12 +0000

If it’s ever a hypothetical case of being afraid of identity theft vs. the safety of a family, why would anyone ignore the police officer’s orders?

Even if this gunman from the bank grabbed her precious debit card instead of bags full of cash that he might have planned on running off with, she would have been able to have it canceled long before he’d be able to crack her PIN code, right? Planning a funeral (or two) is way more expensive, inconvenient and heartbreaking than making a bloody phone call.

Sigh. I hope that she goes home, hugs her daughter, apologizes, and tries to smarten up.

By: slamdunk

slamdunk — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:32:09 +0000

An excellent example for non-officers of being prepared for anything–realizing what is important and what is not, and reacting appropriately. Planning can make a difference for anyone adn improve reactionary decisions.

By: DC

DC — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:19:59 +0000

I can understand the initial balk. Were I to be confronted by an officer with a drawn weapon my initial reaction would be to freeze until I had spent the mental cycles to determine that it wasn’t me they were after or processed the instructions I was being given.

The credit card recovery mission however was just stupid.

I’m one of those assertive, questioning type of individuals so let me just say “sorry”!

By: Sandra

Sandra — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:42:58 +0000

Christopher – I’m glad (in a way) that most people are shielded against the pale underbelly of our society because that means they can sleep at night and not lay awake worrying about it. To be so lucky…

Mrs. Fuzz – It’s nice to hear HF’s boss supported him. How frustrating that situation must have been.

DU and Ed – I think you’re on to something with the identity theft fear. And DU – I’m clearly in the league of those who should NEVER be allowed near scissors. My poor son has suffered through a couple of bad trims.

RC – Been there!

Gary – You’re not cranky, you just call it for what it is.

Ann – I agree – the woman likely went home and slapped her hand to her forehead.

By: Ann T. Hathaway

Ann T. Hathaway — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:17:06 +0000

Yeah, it’s all of these. But people can be trained. Sometimes.

She probably went home and said, “I was so stupid, I went back for my bank card. I could have cancelled it right afterward, what was I thinking? I had Darling with me.”

Everyone at home said, “Yeah, you were stupid.” And that stopped the learning, right there. This person should think about what they did wrong–or, help the person think it out. (We were going to be late for Darling’s dentist appointment. This was now irrelevant in the face of life and death. I could have got someone killed, if not myself or Darling.)

About the guy with the map: there’s no hope for learning there. Duh.

Thanks for posting.

By: Ed Skinner

Ed Skinner — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:35:54 +0000

Driving home a few evenings ago we came to a large intersection with a Police car, lights flashing, in the center. It was not long after dusk and lighting was poor. There was one officer, alone, trying to control the traffic against what the traffic signal was doing. With three lanes in each direction plus double left-turn lanes, he really had his hands full.
But more than that, the emphasis he used in his body motions told me this was a big deal. His arm motions were big, dramatic and unequivocal. When he motioned us to Stop, I stopped “right there” and not one inch further.
So we waited and, minutes later, were waved ahead. As I drove carefully through the intersection, I was too busy watching the other drivers to look for anything else. And two blocks away, we had begun to forget the incident.
But hours later we heard on the news that a woman had been run over in the intersection … three times.
–
My Dad was a surgeon and, growing up, I guess I got used to taking orders. It’s probably the same for children of drill Sergeants. In some situations in life, that upbringing has been a problem. In others, it has undoubtedly saved me from a lot of unpleasantness.
Mixed blessings.

By: Gary L.

Gary L. — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:24:45 +0000

I love the “scissors” comment in the above Post! I am hoping that the woman at the ATM was in shock. Hoping……………. but not convinced.
I can recall interacting with an individual like “HF” was describing, more times than I would like to remember. Some folks are so wrapped up in their own importance, that they want, no, demand a full explanation of Orders being given, when seconds count. I put it down to the “question Authority” and “don’t say no, just let go” parenting, over the last couple of decades.
Unfortuanately, what these armchair defence lawyers, or whatever they think their role is, are more often than not, placing themselves, and Emergency Response Personel in danger.
But hey, what do I know? I am just a cranky old guy.

Cheers

By: Roanoke Cop

Roanoke Cop — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:04:37 +0000

It’s the same strain of stupidity that causes people to walk up to cops with guns drawn, screaming and proning out suspects from a car, and ask for directions.

By: Ed Skinner

Ed Skinner — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:02:15 +0000

Chalk it up to inexperience … or perhaps a better word, would be naivete’. Most of us in the general public have little or no experience with truly dangerous situations.
So, we do what *we* are trained to do which, in this case, is never leave the credit card behind. And usually in hindsight, we recognize and become terrified at our ignorance and stupidity.
–
It is an odd but nonetheless valid and honoring testament to all LEOs that most in the general public have little or no experience in truly dangerous situations.
And for that I say, Thank you, Officer!