Choosing The Hard Way

The stop and rob on 11th had a beer run.

Watching the store video, Loch says, "I saw that guy" en route to the call.

We roll out and look.

Loch stops the mope off 10th  with the cans.

I circle around,  walk up.

The man's angry.

I lock eyes and say, You are under arrest.

He says, "What for?"

For thievin' beer.

"No, I didn't."

Loch and I each take a side and grab an arm.

The man drops his weight, thrusts chest out. He balled his hands into fists and stiffened. 

He's strong. His arms are muscular.

He's refusing to be cuffed.

He wants to fight. He'd swing, if he could.

Loch says, "Relax."

Put your hands behind your back.

He says, "I ain't going to do that."

Then, we are going to have to do this the hard way.

He says, "Then,  you are going to have to do this the hard way."

We are going to have to take you to the ground.

He says, "Then, you are going to have to take me the ground."

Okay, I am going to have to take you to the ground.

I look at Loch. Okay?

Loch says, "Okay."

The mope says, "Okay."

I take his arm in a bar and lock the wrist. I pivot my left hip into his right as I rotate his arm up, away, and down. I control his descent with him thigh and pin him to the ground. I place my thumb into his mandibular joint. He goes flat.

A minute later he's cuffed and being carried to the car.

For six dollars of beer, he choose the hard way. 

 

 

Comments

[RD]

Breaking down the call, there are three important factors.

1. I told the man he was under arrest. If he fled, it would an escape charge. If he physically resists being taken into custody, then he can be charged with Resisting Arrest. He has to be told this, by case law, having the police try to handcuff a person is not enough.

2. I warned him I would use force. Yes, it gives him warning on whatnImwill do, but it grants him the chance to chance his mind.

3. I used my thigh to break his fall. I could have let him drop and hit the concrete head first, but that would have caused and injury. I am skilled enough at arm bars, I choose to slow his fall. If he had a needle in his pocket, I could have been stuck. Fortunately, the needle was in his pack.

Cheers,
RD

[ThePoliticalOmnivore]

I guess if he was Mr.-Good-Decisions he wouldn't have stolen the beer in the first place . . .

[RD]

@hePoliticalOmnivore,

You are correct, in my profession I rarely have a chance to meet people who make good, wise, and logical decisions. I meet the petty, the capricious, the desperate, the incapable, the incompetent, the drunk, the high, the stupid, the obtuse, the confused, the pre-occupied, and the mentally ill.

Thank you for commenting!

Cheers,
RD

[TTom]

RD, I found out working Detention, that if a told them what their extra charges would be for doing it the hard way and then let them think about it for second; they would often change their mind and cooperate.

[RD]

@TTom,

I have not had that luck lately. People want to see if that line will be crossed. I think they draw a line, and the other side backs down. Then, they are shocked when commit to a decree despite the warnings.

Cheers,
RD