Whether from cell phones or other causes, distractions are part of life. For an officer, issuing a citation, using the in-car laptop, or taping off a crime scene affects awareness. While distractions can be problematic for anyone, they can prove deadly for law enforcement.

Nearly two-thirds (63.6%) of the officers interviewed referenced the importance of being aware of their surroundings, and nearly half (45.5%) discussed “the need to remain focused on the greater task at hand and minimize distractions.”

The officers and offenders interviewed for the study were asked to describe the assault and analyze the motive.

In one instance, a subject repeatedly stabbed an officer in his patrol car. The offender was able to get close because the officer was distracted by his laptop.

An officer in another case was shot from behind while conducting a vehicle inventory. He stated that it was near the end of his shift, and he was in a hurry to get home.

Two other cases involved officers who were attacked while preoccupied with scene management. In both instances, they had assumed the offender had left the area, causing them to let their guard down.

Incidents may involve distracted officers working extra assignments at local businesses. The study identified two such cases. In one, the offender noted that the officers were easy targets because they were not paying attention to their surroundings. Concerning the other incident, the officer mentioned that he placed himself in a position that was open to a blindside attack, magnifying the harm of distractions.

Regardless of the cause, distractions clearly contributed to the assaults.

Many of the officers interviewed had no warning that they were about to experience a life-threatening encounter. However, in several cases, they admitted they could have taken precautionary measures to minimize the effects of an attack had they assessed their physical environment better and/or recognized their tactical disadvantage. In other words, if the officers had simply been more aware of their surroundings, the assaults could have been mitigated.

Suggestions

The referenced study illustrates the role that distractions can play in ambushes and unprovoked attacks. So, what can be done? As other OSAT research has found, the offender’s motive is often to catch the officer off guard.³

While on duty, officers should take five preventative measures to remain alert and avoid distractions.

1. Seek a position that decreases the chance of attack from a blind side.
2. Survey the location upon arrival and always pay attention.
3. Ensure that a scene is no longer active and the threat is addressed before containing and protecting the scene.
4. Treat every person at a scene as a possible threat until proven otherwise.
5. Adhere to all training and procedures.

When involved with distracting activities, officers must make a concerted effort to continually and frequently check their surroundings. Doing so will increase their chances of preventing, anticipating, or surviving an attack. Managing distractions can be compared to wearing a seat belt — if officers make it a habit, it will become instinct.⁴

Conclusion

Several officers in the referenced study noted distractions, which come in various forms, as a contributing factor in their incidents. When an officer is distracted, an offender can use that to their advantage in an attack.

There is no way to make the law enforcement profession safe. However, officers can work to make it safer. At the end of the day, an officer’s most important task is to go home. Distractions in policing cannot be eliminated, but learning to better manage them can save officers.