Old cops know "stuff"

Old cops know "stuff" - by Roy Huntington

Watch Their Hands...

If they’re going to kill you, they’ll do it with their hands. Handcuff anyone you feel hinky about, even if they get upset about it. You can always say, “Sorry, Sarge, it seemed like the right thing to do at the time.” I had to apologize for this once, but the guy was still sore about it and I figured he’d call in a complaint. Oh well, I lived, and besides, a day “on the beach” isn’t always a bad thing. Search anyone you get close to in a field contact if things get even semi-serious or if you have the least suspicion about anything.
Search anyone you put into your car; even the nice fellow you’re giving a ride to.

And watch their hands constantly.
Do a little test and watch a “regular” person’s hands for a few minutes. You’ll see how they move them, where they put them, and what they do with them. Now, the next time you are around a suspect, watch his or her hands. You’ll see differences.
Suspects hold their hands more still or more active than regular people. They keep their palms open or close their fists. Or they keep their fingers stiff. Take note, and file it away. These observations aren’t always things you can write down and say, “They do this with their hands,” but you’ll see the difference quickly.

Search and Search Again
If you take someone from another officer and you watch that officer search the suspect, search him again yourself before putting your own cuffs on and taking over his custody.

I once watched a fairly senior fellow officer search a drunk driver I was going to transport. He searched the suspect thoroughly. But I searched him again and found a Browning .25 auto in his right sock. Loaded. The senior cop was embarrassed. I was just happy I had searched him again.

Search everybody again prior to booking them into jail or before putting them into a station holding cell. Search the seat of your patrol car prior to placing a suspect inside and after you take them out. That’s when you’ll find the dope, weapons, notes, evidence, or whatever.

If you’re talking to a subject, and he looks one way, then the other way, then back at you, then does it again, he’s probably looking for a place to run to. Cuff him before he gets the idea planted more firmly in his skull.