Expert: Dick Rogers - 5/19/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello, Dick! I am writing a screenplay that involves a mass shootout, and I
was wondering: if an officer is injured, under what circumstances, if any,
would he/she take cover in someone's home? I am aware that in some
instances policemen as well as detectives have entered nearby buildings to
escape gunfire, but would they ever dare seek refuge in a house (particularly
if the gunmen didn't notice them slip away)?

ANSWER: Hamoudy, your question is an unusual one in that I don't think any policy or procedures manual for any police department would cover such a situation.  Given that you say the officer is injured, I would think it is within reason that he/she would seek refuge in a home if that was the only option available.  I guess much would depend on the extent of the shooting...if the officer would be placing citizens in danger, the other officers in danger, etc.  Also, it would depend on the extent of the officer's injuries.  Is he/she to the point of losing consciousness?  Would entering the home give him/her an advantage in detailing the circumstances by direct line to his/her department.  I think you are safe with whatever scenario you come up with as long as it doesn't become too off the chart.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your promptness, Dick. I would like you to clarify two things for me
though. You mentioned entering a home in order to give details of the shootout
"by direct line to his department." What does that mean exactly? And one more
thing: if the officer were in fact losing consciousness would seeking refuge in
the house - the nearest location - be his best bet? Thank you again.

Answer
When an incident of significant scope occurs, usually the radio freqs are jammed with everyone shouting this or that.  Sometimes, relying on the old telephone can provide the best means to get the essential info that is needed to deal with the situation.  We like to think we are on top of every situation, but when the kaka kits the fan, we find that we are lacking in one or more areas.  I can give you a classic case of a major shootout...LAPD and their North Hollywood back heist that went bad...two suspects hot dead after hundreds of rounds and quite a few officer wounded.  Communications were a nightmare...actually, someone calmly outlining what was occurring by land line (phone) would have set the stage for getting SWAT, or whatever in a better position to deal with it.  The second part of your question is best answered by putting yourself in an officer's situation...if you were seriously wounded and you felt like you were losing it, I don't think you would be thinking of the department and it's many ideas of how to keep your cool and deal with the situation...you would be like any warm bodied man...you would look for the first possible way out of your situation...if that is a house that might get an ambulance for you or medical aid, you are going for that option.  Sometimes events are out of the box and you deal with them with that in mind.  Good luck.