The #1 Mistake Cops Make on the Ground

The most common mistake by police officers in grounded altercations is what we call “premature pronation.” This happens when an officer hasn’t learned basic ground control and/or the “100-Second Rule.” 

This officer in Mesquite, Texas, was initially able to get the subject to his back, but then then immediately attempts to pronate the subject (as indicated by the two arms controlling the wrist and elbow of the subject). As soon as the officer rolls the subject to his belly, he immediately builds the house, stands up and runs accross the highway as the officer draws his firearm and chases after. 

To avoid situations like this, every officer must understand three primary ground controls: Kneeling Control, Side Control, and Mount Control, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each position. 

Kneeling control gives an officer the ability to survey their surroundings while controlling the subject with their knee. Due to limited body contact, however, the officer will often struggle to maintain control if the subject is larger and determined to get up. 

Side control gives the officer a greater degree of control, particularly against larger subjects, because the officers’ center of gravity is lower and their base points are wider, but in this position, the officer’s ability to survey their surroundings is reduced. 

Mount control also limits visibility but can be very effective for control if the officer is properly trained on how to use their legs or “hooks” to prevent lateral escapes. 

Weapon retention must be prioritized in all three positions. This can come from underhooks, wrist pins or any other methods of arm control designed to limit the subject’s arm mobility. 

Regardless of the position of control the “100-Second Rule” teaches that the subject should not be pronated until AFTER their will to fight has been drastically if not entirely reduced. 

We don’t have any additional information on this incident, but if anyone has contact with the officer in this video, please let him know that we’d like to sponsor his participation in the GST Instructor Certification Course.

Get certified at http://www.GracieSurvivalTactics.com