TDG - 2000.02

Below are a few solutions to TDG #2, remember none of these are the 'correct' solution, they are just a sample taken from the responses given. You will notice a difference in tactics between them, and the scenario was not all that complex, so there are many options available to you. After you've read through them look at the debrief.

Authors Solution

I would have myself positioned so that I could see both of them, I have my left hip against his buttocks, pushing him into the fender. his right arm is bent up behind his back, I am holding it with my left hand whilst using my right to apply the handcuffs. As the girl struggles to get the door open (remember the car is at an angle in the ditch) I use my right foot to push the door shut again, this should slow her down whilst I finish cuffing "Bobby". If she does get out I again use my right foot to push her away.

Once "Bobby" is cuffed I sit him down on the ground against the fender, hoping that she will relax now that she can get to him. I get the spare 'cuffs and medical kit from the car, and advise HQ what is happening.

If I cannot gently keep her away long enough to finish cuffing, I make distance and see what they do, If they settle down I'll leave them to it until help arrives. If not I draw my firearm and maintain distance whilst trying to talk to them. I attempt to get them to lie down, but if they want to wander off that's fine I'll keep them in sight until backup arrives.
 
 

Solution by Jeff Smith

Picking up from where the angry female exits the vehicle, and the male suspect is struggling while trying to apply bracelets - First, male is in a wrist/elbow/shoulder lock to apply the one cuff, therefore I would abandon the cuffing attempt, use his arm as a lever, and place him between myself and the female, while reaching for my pepper spray and giving verbal commands. Number one priority is weapons retention at this point, for my safety and theirs. I do not want to have to wrestle someone for my revolver, and I don't want to have to shoot anybody.

If situation gets out of hand, I spray the female as she approaches, I spray the male I am holding, and hopefully one of them is incapacitated by the chemical. I then handcuff the least handicapped suspect.

If the spray has no effect, I break contact and retreat, drawing my weapon and ordering them onto the ground (I don't know if they have a weapon). While doing this, I move towards my vehicle. If they decide to run, they are in a rural agricultural area, so capturing them should not be a problem. Let them run until backup arrives. They are not wanted, they have no violent priors. Do not force the situation.

Solution by Pete Taylor

The male suspect is arm-barred for cuffing, and I would abandon cuffing and manoeuvre him between me and the female. I would also spray the female on her advancing, after a forceful warning to stop. An armbar, by itself, is actually one of the weaker holds. I always try to lock the wrist as well as the elbow, and try to sink the whole thing into the shoulder. If this has been accomplished, the male is under control and does not need to be sprayed. If the spray has the desired effect on the female, I would finish cuffing and escort the male to the squad car, putting him in the backseat. I would be checking for clamminess on the skin as well as other signs of puking. Wouldn't want to have to clean that up at the end of the shift. 

As for the female, I would get the first aid kit out of the trunk, spare cuffs out of the glove box, radio base for an ambulance and ask for instructions on whether to treat the injury or not. 

If the spray had no effect, let go of him and make distance, draw my firearm and try to talk to them. Keep them as calm as possible until assistance arrived.

Solution by Nathan Thompson

Iwould use an open hand push in 45degreee downwards direction right on her sternum to unbalance her and drop her on the ground. This should give me the time to control the guy and cuff him. Once he his cuffed, she is next, for her and my safety. 

Solution by Jason Collins

To put in my unqualified two cents, IF the lady is no longer holding the bottle (a big if!) couldn't most of us just ignore her long enough to finish cuffing? She's 5'2", for cryin' out loud, and any highly-advanced training she may have had is unlikely to show through in her drunken state...so, with a quick scan to ascertain the current whereabouts of the bottle I wouldn't care to be clobbered with, I try to verbally stall her while finishing the cuffing. (Should that whereabouts be in her angry little fist, and she make an aggressive motion with it or simply refuses to put it down, THEN it's pepper-spray time for all concerned. But I'd hate to do that on a slight woman, with a bleeding cut on her head, no less.)
 
 

Check out the debrief.
 

Guidelines

Exercise

Debrief