Reducing Law Enforcement Deaths
What can be done now to reduce law enforcement deaths? 
The October issue of Law Officer magazine provides these tips:
- Wear Your Seat Belt
- Watch Your Speed
- Wear Your Vest
- W.I.N (What’s Important Now)
- Remeber: Complacency Kills
There are several things we can do to reduce law enforcement deaths and even injuries, but many officers ignore these things.
I am going to add to the Law Officer Magazine’s list. Today (Oct. 23, 2010), I was at a red light, next to a marroon crown vic. I knew this car was an unmarked traffic unit for local agency. The officer obviously clocked a person exceeding the limit. He or she (the windows were tinted) activated the lights and siren and safely went through the red light.
As I headed down the road, I could see an officer standing in the lane of traffic making contact with the speeder. This is the point that concerns me. The officer had stopped the speeder, turned off all emergency lights and was in a lane of traffic contacting that speeder.
Once I got home I got my laptop and opened up the Officer Down Memorial page. I clicked on the current year and noted that 5 law enforcement officers were struck and killed by a vehicle. In 2009, 7 Law enforcement officers were struck and killed. If you follow the news on my website that is updated daily (Police News), you will see many officers have been struck by vehicles during traffic stops.
I would like to encourage all law enforcement officers to keep your emergency lights on during traffic stops for the entire stop. Many states have the Move Over law. Motorists can not slow down and move over if they do not see any emergency lights.
If you know a Law Enforcement Officer that does not wear a seat belt or wear a vest, please encourage them to wear that life saving equipment!
I would like to know if anyone thinks it would be appropriate to turn off the emergency lights during the contact. Please post your comments.
Be Safe!
