There is actually a purpose to this blog

Scott Adams - the writer of the 'Dilbert' comic strip - once described a Mission Statement as 'a long, complicated paragraph demonstrating management's inability to think clearly.' Therefore, I'll not call this a mission statement.

This blog is dedicated to informing civilian Park Rangers about topics routine taught to police officers but almost unknown to most of us who wear a uniform, work alone, and confront potentially dangerous on a frequent basis.

This blog is intended to offer suggestions based on my experience, and on my understanding of Maryland Law. It may be different where you are.

That's my mission.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

This could be you.

Except that you aren't armed.

A routine traffic in Hamilton, Montana. An unprovolked attack on a State Trooper.


I know you aren't armed. I know you aren't supposed to make traffic stops. But what if the vehicle had struck a tree and you just stopped to check on the driver's welfare?

Rule 1 - Watch his eyes.

Corollary to Rule 1 - Watch his hands, he can't kill you with his eyes.

Rule 2 - "He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day."

Corollary  to Rule 2 - You're not being paid to fight. Just run away.

When you arrive on the scene of something like a collision or a suspicious vehicle, notify your dispatcher of the location, description of the vehicle(s) and tag numbers. (Dispatcher? What's that? Or, in my case: "Why bother?") Or, at any rate, jot down the tag number on a pad in your vehicle.

I'm serious as a heart attack here, folks. The reason for writing the tag number down is, if you get shot, the police will have something to go on.

How's that make you feel?

It might not do you any good. But it might help catch the person who shot you.

At least, you will have a satisfied ghost.



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