LEDE: Police have had to change because the threat has changed, including looks, equipment, and tactics.
After the Columbine High School shooting, police agencies across the country needed to reorient themselves to a newer and greater threat. Until then, patrol officers were trained to stop/minimize loss of life, secure the scene, then wait for back up units (e.g., SWAT, hostage negotiations, etc.). The belief was the shooter would want to negotiate and live. However that is not a safe assumption now, and first responders must prepare for the worst.
Beginning in the 2000s, departments across the country began to train their officers to immediately engage active shooters to end loss of life, or at the least minimize it. I’ve been a cop for twenty-five years and my first training in active shooter was in 2010. I wrote about it in my blog, A Cop’s Watch, and called it the best in service training I ever received (run by an academy classmate, former Marine and Gulf War veteran).
In the last few years, police use of force has been reviewed at nauseum, and criticized often. While some may be questionable (Parkland High School FL, Robb Elementary School TX), police are becoming more capable of handling a higher threat than before. Revolvers have been upgraded to semi-automatic pistols (larger caliber bullets and carrying more cartridges), while shotguns have been supplemented or replaced by patrol carbine rifles (generally the AR-15). SWAT and other specialized units have even enhanced with armored up wheeled or armored tracked vehicles. Body armor for patrol and specialized units have been upgraded where even street officers have exterior protection that will stop a 12-gauge slug.
Some non-law enforcement friends of mine question the more militaristic look of police. One was a little (disturbed may be too strong of a word) “curious” why a police armored vehicle was on the highway near his home. I explained these vehicles are not used for patrol, but it may be on way to maintenance, training, or a presentation.
Now I’ve already listed two questionable responses to an active shooter. I would like to review a recent event that was handled very well by the officer on the scene and is an example of why law enforcement has had to change.
On July 14, 2023, four Fargo (N.D.) Police Department officers were responding to a traffic crash when gunfire erupted nearby. The gunman, who was shooting rapid fire from a .223-caliber rifle, modified with a binary trigger, (i.e., one round fires when you pull the trigger, a second one when you release the trigger) struck three Fargo officers before Officer Zach Robinson fatally wounded him.
The ambush lasted nearly two minutes, taking the life of 23-year-old Officer Jake Wallin and wounded Officers Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes, as well as a bystander…
…police found numerous guns, 1,800 rounds of ammunition, a homemade grenade and explosives in the gunman’s vehicle. Investigators determined the gunman likely planned a larger attack due to the number of guns and explosives found…
At 2:45 p.m., July 14, 2023, officers Robinson and Wallin arrived to assist officers Dotas and Hawes with their crash investigation…Within two minutes of arrival, what sounded like automatic gunfire erupted.
Officer Robinson drew his Glock 45 9mm, moved to the cover provided by the damaged car’s engine block, while radioing in, “Central, we got shots fired! Central, we got shots fired!”
By looking through the damaged car’s window glass, he spotted a man armed with what he thought was an AK-47. He leaned out and fired four times at the armed man.
After those initial shots, Robinson radioed, “Central, we got a man with an AK-47. He’s shooting at us!”
As the suspect was approximately 75’ away initially, Officer Robinson switched to a covered position and used his sights to better target the suspect…
…The gunman moved behind a nearby parked vehicle. During the ensuing gun battle, Officer Robinson fired 12 more rounds at the ambusher, who finally dropped to the ground. He later discovered that he not only hit the suspect during these exchanges, but he disabled the long gun.
With the suspect down, Robinson recalled, “I got off the X.”
Robinson maneuvered around the damaged vehicle and advanced toward the suspect. During this movement, Robinson discovered he was the last man standing, causing him to radio in, “Central, we got shots fired! Shots fired! Three officers down! Send everybody!”
Robinson, with contained but heavy emotion, shared his thoughts as he saw Officer Wallin lying motionless on the ground: “I could see his wounds were fatal, but there was still a threat and I had to push past it.”
As Robinson returned his focus to the shooter, he saw the killer was still moving. He shouted, “Put your hands up! Hands up! Hands up!”
The shooter did not comply.
Robinson cautiously continued his approach, as he kept the parked vehicle between himself and the shooter. While covering the shooter with his Glock in his right hand, he keyed the mic with his left, reporting: “Fargo 534. Three officers down!”
During this transmission, Robinson recalled seeing the suspect “brandishing a handgun.”
Robinson reacquired a two-hand grip on his Glock Model 45, obtained a sight-picture and fired three more times. The action locked open and, while still on the move, Robinson smoothly performed an out-of-battery reload and continued to fire. After firing several rounds, he paused to assess, while repeatedly ordering the suspect to “drop the gun!”
The shooter still did not comply.
Robinson moved around the parked vehicle that the suspect was next to, flanking him. As Robinson tactically cut the pie slowly, the suspect came into view and was still moving the handgun about as if there was more killing yet to be done.
Robinson fired again, finally stopping the imminent deadly threat posed by this highly motivated killer.
This video shows how quickly a “routine” accident investigation can turn into an active shooter with multiple injuries (3) and dead (1). It also shows how Officer Robinson preparation for this day helped him win against an opponent with superior equipment and the initiative.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vri42qeZy2E
Officer Robinson gave nine tips for preparing for an event like this, including Physical Fitness, Skills training, Scenario training and Training with your heart rate elevated. Seeing he was the last man standing against an opponent with two pistols, three rifles, multiple explosives, and other weapons, he did pretty well.
Police will always be there for the serve portion of “protect and serve.” However, protect comes first If a cop can’t “protect” when needed, he must turn in the badge. Now a cop protecting may not be the most pleasant person on the scene. Understand he must adjust to the threat as it changes and has to take actions you cannot.
Michael A. Thiac is a retired Army intelligence officer, with over 23 years experience, including serving in the Republic of Korea, Japan, and the Middle East. He is also a retired police patrol sergeant, with over 22 years’ service, and over ten year’s experience in field training of newly assigned officers. He has been published at The American Thinker, PoliceOne.com, and on his personal blog, A Cop’s Watch.
Opinions expressed are his alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of current or former employers.
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