Dynamic Engagement Strategies

Law enforcement personnel are inevitably required to operate within close proximity to people. This includes suspects, victims and otherwise uninvolved individuals. This proximity occurs just the same in high-risk operations as it does during unknown risk or routine law enforcement operations.

Attacks with blunt objects, edged weapons and firearms are among the most dangerous encounters for law enforcement, especially at close contact distance. Spontaneous attacks or weapons drawn from concealment at distances of 6 feet and less create circumstances requiring a law enforcement officer react in a way that is often counterintuitive to natural human startle response.

A weapons-based environment requires unique and deliberate tactics. Attacks on law enforcement with edged weapons and impact weapons occur at close quarters with the law enforcement officer in a reactive state. Research and video reviews show law enforcement officers consistently demonstrate classic startle response behavior and the tendency to retreat on a straight line back from the threat.

Whether questioning a suspect in a parking lot or moving down a hallway in a stack, human body structure remains the same. Understanding how to interact with the person, disrupt their "base," and appropriate angles of pressure will allow the officer to gain immediate control of the subject to facilitate disengaging to gain distance or restrain/move the subject.

Dynamic Engagement Strategies is not intended to be a replacement for existing training programs. It will integrate with existing training and will capitalize on the strengths of the law enforcement officer by providing the advantage necessary for them to employ their existing skill set. The methods and concepts introduced are flexible and will conform to a multitude of environments and applications.

The 8-hour class will encompass the following material:

Position and Fighting Stance Theory

  • Inside versus outside
  • Inline versus offline
  • Distance and reaction time

    Footwork

  • Ranging: relationship of time to distance, ahead of time, equal time or behind time
  • Diamond: flanking to the outside counterclockwise
  • Universal evasion angle

    Striking

  • Explanation of diagonal angular advantage as a protective mechanism for the LE officer
  • Targeting priorities: protecting one's head, encountering weapon during presentation versus interrupting weapon access

    Edged Weapon Fundamentals

  • Difference in threat between thrusting or slashing. Introduction to PTK knife angles in forward grip and reverse grip
  • Discussion and demonstration of how improvised tools such as flashlights, water bottles or cell phones can follow the same angles

    Grappling and Clinching

  • Obtaining control of the limb accessing or holding a weapon
  • Interrupting the draw stroke of someone accessing a weapon relative to distance
  • Isolating the limb, not just the weapon
  • Grappling concepts applied while weapon in play

    Angular Advantage

  • Applying the same concepts at further distances for when someone draws a firearm
  • Increasing probability of survival by forcing the attacker to track a moving target
  • Disruption of attacker's OODA loop
  • Timing for drawing and firing handgun while moving

    Weapon Retention

  • Fixed blade versus folding knife
  • Support side carry versus centerline carry
  • Karambit and other specialty tools
  • Less-lethal application for anatomical compliance during lethal force encounters

    Weapon Disarm Theory and Application

  • Edged weapons
  • Firearms
  • Impact weapons

    Application of Angular Advantage Concepts

  • During room entries
  • Movement down hallways
  • Crowd channeling - movement through crowds