This TBLL Training Video is a decision by decision debriefing discussion based upon an officer involved shooting that occurred in Fort Collins, CO in 2016. Some minor details of this situation were changed to stimulate certain conversation points. TBLL does not try to provide the “correct answers” to this incident in the video. This video is meant to be played during a briefing or roll call to stimulate conversation among officers and supervisors in the room. Being on the same page regarding decision-making and tactics is critical to safe and professional responses to dynamic situations. Below is an outline for leading the training discussion…see the video HERE or click the title below. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYb-29rFp_E)

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The mission at Thin Blue Line of Leadership is to inspire law enforcement supervisors to be the best leaders they can be by providing positive leadership tactics and ideas. Positive leadership and creating a positive squad culture are on-going commitments that must be nurtured and developed over time. Thin Blue Line of Leadership is here to help.

Continue saving the world one call at a time and as always, LEAD ON!

DEBRIEFING DECISION-MAKING

Fort Collins Briefing Outline

SETUP: At 1920 hours, you are dispatched to a family fight at 919 N. US Highway 287 in Fort Collins, Colorado. The reporting party called 911 stating that her husband, Jerry Jackson, is outside of her home threatening her with a knife. He is described as a white male in his 60s wearing a plaid shirt and blue jeans. Jackson is pounding on the windows of the home trying to get in. Dispatch advises that your call is being upgraded to a subject with a weapon call. (Hot Tone) Shortly thereafter, you and a second officer arrive together and approach the front driveway of a large property. You immediately see a subject matching Jackson’s description and make contact with him… (Fort Collins OBC Video 1 Starts)

• Fort Collins OBC Video 1
  • Shows officers arrive and make first contact with the subject.
  • Debriefing Questions for the Squad (Pause Video)
    • Risk Assessment: What is the danger? How much danger? Who is in danger?
    • What do you predict the subject will do next?
    • What would you do in the next few seconds?
    • How much of a threat would you consider the subject right now?
• Fort Collins OBC Video 2
  • Officers observe knife, begin giving commands, and start working a plan.
  • Debriefing Questions for the Squad (Pause Video)
    • What important observations have you made so far?
    • What would you do in the next few seconds?
    • How would you describe the subject’s behavior to this point?
    • How much of a threat would you consider the subject right now?
• Fort Collins OBC Video 3
  • Officers attempt TASER deployments, subject keeps moving closer, and they give warnings they will shoot.
  • Debriefing Questions for the Squad (Pause Video)
    • Is there any information you would like to have, but don’t currently know about this situation?
    • What do you predict is going to happen next?
    • What would you do in the next few seconds?
    • How much of a threat would you consider the subject right now?
•  Fort Collins OBC Video 4
• • Officers shoot subject and begin post shooting process.
  • Debriefing Questions for the Squad (Pause Video)
    • Were there other options available to solve this problem? (Move a car between officers/subject? Hit with car? Pepper spray and charge with a shield? Get creative, but reasonable and acceptable within policy…)
    • How would you justify this decision?
    • What would you do in the next few seconds?
    • What concerns do you still have regarding this situation? (Securing subject safely, rounds that may have gone down range, status of victim, medical aid, etc.)
• Fort Collins OBC Video 5
  • Officers work out a post-shooting plan and render emergency medical aid.
  • Debriefing Questions for the Squad (Pause Video)
    • What did you like best about their response after the shooting?
    • What could have made their response better?
    • What items still need to be addressed in this incident?
• Fort Collins Shooting OBC Video played straight through. Final thoughts from squad?
• The Rest of the Story
  • Larimer County District Attorney determined this was a justified shooting.
  • Key Findings in District Attorney’s Statement
    • Told multiple people he was going to make the police shoot him.
    • Officers took all reasonable steps to disarm and mitigate the situation.
      • Commanded 18 times to drop the knife.
      • Multiple warnings they would shoot.
      • Attempted use of the TASER.
      • Rendered Emergency Aid immediately.
    • NOTE: These “reasonable steps” applied to this set of circumstances specifically and will not necessarily apply to all shootings.
    • This is why understanding the Priority of Time is vital to good law enforcement decision-making. Understanding when you do and do not have time available to make decisions is critical.