Document, document, document. One of the best things you can do to stay out of trouble is to document everything that happens at an incident. More detail is usually better than less detail. Explain why you did what you did. The suspect generally initiates any violent action. Document what the suspect said or did that needed you to respond with violence.
Suspects will generally telegraph what they are going to do to you or to others. Document those telegraphed actions and words. Paint a word picture of your experience, tell others exactly what happened that caused you to have to use force. Police work is frequently reactionary, based on the suspects actions. Police use of force is generally predictable, we use force when it is legal and our agency policy and training tell us it it a good idea to use force when a specific situation happens.
If the suspect says "I am going to kick your fucking ass." The quote him exactly, as best as you can remember. Indicate the tone of voice the suspect was using, he was loud, firm, strong voice. He was less than a foot away from my face when the shouted that to me. He was pointing his index finger at the center of my chest when he yelled at me. The suspects face was flushed red and the veins were bulging out of his forehead and he was spitting as he screamed. Is there any doubt that that suspect needs to be brought under control? Document what happened, that's what the SGT Says.
Marine NSKK
16 hours ago
