What are some of the occupational hazards that are inherent in beat patrol, and what does research seem to indicate should be done to prevent fatal ambushes?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Patrol has a large number of occupational hazards. Police officers confronting a citizen do not know if that individual is armed, high on drugs or alcohol, or is planning to engage in “suicide by cop.” There has been a recent spike in fatal ambushes of police officers, even though violent crime in the U.S. is decreasing.

Researchers have not found one single offender profile but have found three factors that appear to combine into a deadly mix. First, it does appear that most killers of law enforcement officers were diagnosed with having some sort of personality disorder. Additionally, victim officers generally were more good-natured and conservative than their fellow officers in the use of physical force. Finally, the killings were often facilitated by some sort of procedural miscue. Therefore, research suggests that officers need to be watchful, follow good “officer survival” procedures and training at all times, and be prepared to use some level of appropriate force if necessary.