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“Cease to Exist”
By ASP Trainer Jim Klauba
All officers are taught and trained on the critical importance of weapon retention. Clearly, being able to retain the firearm—whether holstered or drawn—is a life-or-death proposition. But what about handcuff retention? In the hands of a trained and capable police officer, restraints are not weapons; but that can change in an instant if a resistive or combative subject gains control of them. I’ve seen plenty of “one handcuff rodeos,” where an officer gets one wrist cuffed, the subject decides he doesn’t want to go to jail, and the struggle ensues. The police tendency is to hang on and go for the ride (I may or may not have been that officer once or twice myself). Trained to instinctively retain control of his or her tools, the officer holds onto the handcuffs, still trying to gain control, while the subject is flailing like mad, or worse. This is why ASP instructor training incorporates a principle we call “Cease to Exist.”
Angle of Advantage: What it is and how to use it
By ASP Trainer Jim KlaubaAngle of advantage (AOA) is a defensive tactics principle that increases officer safety, situational awareness, and control. As we teach in ASP training programs, Angle of Advantage dictates that the officer stand and/or approach the subject from a 45 degree angle, whether behind or in front of the subject. This is one of those basic principles that’s worth its weight in gold. It can be employed in a wide variety of circumstances and be seamlessly integrated with other tactics.
Dialogue: Why it's the best defensive tactic
By ASP Trainer Jim Klauba
In Law Enforcement, fundamentals matter—and the most basic fundamental of all is dialogue. Verbal direction plays a role throughout the use of force continuum, from cooperative subjects to lethal scenarios.
Elements of an Attack
By ASP Trainer Jim Klauba
The very foundation of defensive tactics is knowing what constitutes an attack in the first place. There are three elements that contribute to an attack—intent, weapon, and delivery system—and all three need to be present for an assault to succeed.