A Case Study in Achieving Compliance With Hostile Suspects (Text and Images)

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A Case Study in Achieving Compliance With Hostile Suspects

Introduction

An officer must realize that control of a situation is neither won nor lost, but rather is an inevitability that must be achieved with the least amount of force. This case study demonstrates key ideas and strategies to deal with hostile suspects via tactical awareness, compliance holds, basic takedowns, clear communication, thorough body searches, and psychological tactics during an arrest.

Tactical Awareness, Compliance Holds, and Takedowns

Officer Molina responded to a report of a drug operation and saw a suspicious individual (henceforth referred to as “Jane”) attempting to flee when she saw Molina approaching. Molina caught up with the individual in a stairwell and requested for Jane to stop.



Jane immediately attempted to push Molina, but Molina caught her hand before completing the action. Note the aggressive expression in Jane’s face and the clenched fist, illustrating that Molina is dealing with a severely hostile individual and must take action accordingly. While Molina previously only had probable cause, Jane’s attempted attack is in clear violation of the law, allowing Molina to proceed with an arrest.



When Molina caught Jane’s hand, the best course of action for her was to obtain as much of a grip of the fingers as possible in preparation for a compliance hold, a technique used to effect obedience from a suspect with a limited application of force. With a sufficient grasp of Jane’s hand, Molina can simply rotate Jane’s wrist downward, demonstrating the first compliance hold: a simple joint lock, or a manipulation of another’s joint toward the limits of its range of motion. In other words, Molina’s application of the wristlock bends Jane’s wrist in an unnatural direction, ultimately leading Jane to move toward the floor.

The purpose of a compliance hold in law enforcement is never to cause pain, but rather 1. to physically influence the suspect in the direction that alleviates discomfort or avoids pain, and 2. to mentally encourage suspect cooperation. The application of the hold should be discontinued or reduced if the desired level of compliance is achieved and will be maintained. Molina saw Jane submit based on her facial expression and body reaction and appropriately released her to avoid Jane harm.




However, Molina was also correct to be cognizant of the potential for the more antagonistic suspects to revert back to their previous state of aggression upon release. Tactical awareness, the ability to perceive, comprehend, and anticipate the dynamics of an emergency situation, allowed Molina to foresee Jane’s incoming weak left jab. Molina simply sidestepped the attack and shot in to grab Jane’s torso for a standing bodylock.



A more advantageous position when making an arrest is to pin the suspect prone against the floor, not only preventing chances of escape but also granting the ability to apply restraints or to perform a body search. Molina took the encounter from standing to the floor with a simple knee bump takedown, executed by simultaneously thrusting her left knee behind Jane’s and pulling Jane’s waist backward. The combination of the knee bump and waist pull offsets Jane’s balance, allowing Molina to simply pivot about her right foot and guide Jane face down onto the ground. Molina then positions her body over Jane’s for a face down reverse mount, restricting Jane from further movement and thereby completing the subjugation of the hostile suspect.

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Clear Communication, Visual Body Searches



With the initial physical conflict now concluded, Molina took a moment to caution Jane that attempts to struggle or escape will be fruitless. She then clearly communicated that she was about to perform a search of Jane’s person to ascertain the presence or absence of illicit substances or weapons. Clear communication of what is to come is important with detained suspects because it compels the suspect to psychologically submit knowing that their fate is predetermined, and what is about to happen will happen despite the suspect’s input.



Depending on the subject’s clothing and body position, some adaptability may be required when conducting a visual body cavity search, a visual inspection of a person’s body orifices that may be hiding illegal items. Typically, it is best to begin with what is most convenient and accessible for the officer conducting the search. In Molina’s case, the bottom of Jane’s short skirt was within reach, so Molina pulled it up and out of the way for a view of Jane’s gluteal cleft. Jane’s underwear precluded clear visual inspection of the crevice, so she briefly pulled her underwear away from her body for a cursory check.



In the interest of officer safety and the obligation of public duty, thoroughness is strongly advised when performing a search. Furthermore, there is no excuse to cut corners when it comes to thoroughness when the suspect is in such a pacified state. Thus, as Molina’s brief “panty check” was unfruitful in yielding evidence she sought, she donned a standard issue nitrile glove to protect for a more intimate inspection.

It is important to note that while Molina had taken her hands away from Jane’s body, she still used her body weight and legs to prevent Jane from any worthwhile form of resistance (apart from verbal complaints and crying). Jane even feebly attempted to block her crotch with her hand when Molina wore her glove, but Molina is in a well-leveraged position to deny any attempt at obstruction of justice.



Molina then lowers Jane’s undergarments down her thighs to expose the area of interest. With both hands, the officer then gently separates the suspect’s buttocks and upper thighs to begin with a visual cavity search. The separation of the buttocks provides a clear external view of Jane’s anal cavity, perineum, and vulva, common locations to hide contraband (see Chapter 7.5.3: Usage of Female Anatomy in Smuggling). Note that while the blatant exposure of a suspect’s genitalia places them in a vulnerable state, these actions are not and should not be taken to punish the individual in custody. Instead, these measures are only taken toward the interest of safety, the collection of evidence, and the attainment of compliance through forced vulnerability.

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Manual Body Cavity Searches

If a visual inspection of the subject’s external genitalia does not fully absolve the suspect of suspicion, an internal inspection should be conducted. Contrary to popular belief, an officer may conduct such an internal search without a warrant if the search is in connection with an arrest. In preparation for the internal search, officer Molina used one hand to hold back Jane’s arm, and the other to locate her vaginal opening. It is a common tactic for suspects at this point to beg or otherwise dissuade you from proceeding. Do not let the subject discourage you from conducting the search, as they may merely be attempting to prevent the discovery of illicit items.



Molina slowly inserted her first two fingers into Jane’s vagina. You can see that Molina has shifted positions for ergonomic comfort during this procedure while still constraining Jane’s movement with one arm. On the other hand, you can also see in Jane’s face the discomfort she feels as Molina probes her. It is always important for an officer to prioritize their own comfort when performing critical tasks such as body cavity searches to not be distracted and overlook important details.

The duration of such a cavity search is a common question, and one that should be answered with “it depends”. Thorough verification of the absence of contraband should take less than a minute per orifice. However, these internal exams may also be considered a form of compliance hold because resistance from the suspect further increases her discomfort, and thus, this exam may continue for as long as needed to achieve the desired level of complaisance. In this scenario, Molina performed the inspection of Jane’s vaginal cavity for approximately 6 minutes before Jane’s whimpering ceased.



Unfortunately, the vaginal exam turned up nothing, so Officer Molina still needed to check other areas of Jane. Before Molina could continue with the internal cavity search, she pulled Jane’s panties completely off to allow Jane to further spread apart her legs. Since Jane is now more cooperative, she obliged Molina’s request to use her right hand to spread open her rear. The officer was then able to insert one finger (lubricated via excess fluid on the vulva) into her exposed anal cavity. You can see the discomfort Jane feels based on her contorted fingers and splayed legs, but she had learned from her previous inspection that protests have no effect on Molina.



The rectal exam turned up nothing either, so Molina had to inspect other potential locations. She had Jane place her hands behind her back and used her body weight to lock her arms in place. Molina then removed Jane’s heeled leather boots, and they were apparently not hiding anything. For completeness, Molina concluded the search of Jane’s lower body by tugging off her miniskirt and discarding it off to the side. Miniskirts usually hide very little by design, so it was no surprise that no illegal items turned up still.

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Psychological Tactics, Completion of Arrest



Jane was only in her top at this point. Molina pivoted to face the other direction and instructed Jane to remove it. She complied immediately, albeit warily, as Molina watchfully supervised the removal. There was no brassiere underneath, which made Molina’s search easier. Notice Jane’s attempt at garnering Molina’s sympathy by giving her a doe-eyed look. This is a typical last resort among younger female criminals who are trying to be let free, and this tactic often works against improperly-trained officers. Molina, however, disregarded her plea and ensured Jane clearly revealed both of her breasts to complete the strip search.



At this point, Jane was fully naked but still pinned to the floor. It appeared an object had come loose that was hidden under Jane’s shirt. Molina reached for the fallen object while retracting Jane’s arm while Jane still tried to fake an innocent demeanor. It looked like a small bag of a white substance, which Molina quickly snatched up before rising to her feet.



Molina waved the small drug baggie to verify to whom it belonged, but the look on Jane’s face made it obvious. Note that while Molina is no longer using her full body weight to pin Jane, she is lightly pinned underfoot, but more so by the psychological advantage Molina has built up throughout the encounter. Namely, Molina has physically dominated Jane, stripped her completely nude in a dirty stairwell, penetrated her most private areas, and finally ascertained concrete evidence demonstrating Jane’s illegal actions. These psychological tactics instilled Molina’s inevitable domination of this encounter into Jane’s mind, ultimately leading to Jane’s submission and the search’s success.



It is important not to gloat or belittle the suspect upon success because such success is a certainty, not a coincidence, for properly-trained officers. On the other hand, an officer is also not required to comfort the suspect, including reassuring or reclothing them, during the completion of an arrest. Molina brought Jane back to her feet with another wristlock, once again guiding Jane in the direction to minimize discomfort.



The surroundings once again prove useful in restricting Jane’s movement, but this time a door is used rather than the grimy carpet. Molina held Jane against the glass of the door as she applied restraints behind her back before taking her down to the station for processing.

The rest of the team can pick up Jane’s belongings and continue the drug operation investigation another day, but Molina’s successful arrest and search of Jane was executed impeccably.

Summary of Key Concepts

In this case study, Officer Molina caught, searched, and arrested Jane for resisting arrest, assaulting an officer, and drug possession. Molina demonstrated tactical awareness to anticipate Jane’s hostile actions, and compliance holds and a basic knee bump takedown to physically dominate Jane and pin her to the floor. Clear communication and psychological tactics made Jane quickly realize Molina was the dominant party in this encounter and submit to her orders. Molina performed a thorough visual and manual body cavity search to discover evidence toward Jane’s criminal involvement.

This case study provides a clear demonstration of how to handle and achieve compliance with even the most hostile suspects. In the next case study, we see an example of an officer improperly dealing with a verbally hostile and noncooperative suspect during a traffic stop.

[Belinda]

So love your use of visuals.

[TurnipEater]

Great work Turnipeater! I'm so glad that you post these.

[timerider]

Really liked it, great job.

[AQuietStorm]

I almost wish we could have seen a final shot of Jane handcuffed and lead to the squad car.