Deadly Force Encounters: What Cops Need To Know To Mentally And Physically Prepare For And Survive A Gunfight [Paperback]

Alexis Artwohl (Author), Loren W. Christensen (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0873649354 | ISBN-13: 978-0873649353 | Publication Date: July 1, 1997 | Edition: First

In a cop's world it's kill or be killed, but the truth of the matter is that a shooting's aftermath is often the most dangerous time for the cop. This unique life- and career-saving manual contains every shred of critical information the police officer needs to survive the media, investigations and more.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Loren Christensen began his law enforcement career in 1967 when he served in the army as a military policeman in the United States and in Vietnam. He joined the Portland, Oregon, Police Bureau in 1972 and retired in 1997. During those years, he specialized in street gangs, defensive tactics, dignitary protection, and patrolling the bizarre streets of skid row. He now writes full time and teaches martial arts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Paladin Press; First edition (July 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873649354
• ISBN-13: 978-0873649353
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #234,719 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

67 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A vital book for anyone who wants to understand combat, April 9, 1999

By 

A fan "A fan" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Deadly Force Encounters: What Cops Need To Know To Mentally And Physically Prepare For And Survive A Gunfight (Paperback)

I am Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, author of the Book "On Killing." I train and speak to law enforcement, military, and medical personel world-wide. The information in "Deadly Force Encounters" has become one of the cornerstones of my presentations, and I recommend the book strongly to everyone I train. In particular, the information (based on Dr. Artwohl's groundbreaking research) on perceptual distortions in combat provides vital, revolutionaly new insight into what happens to people in combat. This book is an absolute must for ANYONE who wants to understand the reality of combat, in law enforcement or military, in history or in their personal future. The book will be extremely useful to individuals after a deadly force encounter, but its greatest value is to prepare those who will have to face combat. Like a bulletproof vest, the mental preparation that this book can provide is best when in it is put in place BEFORE the bullets fly, thereby, enevitibly, undoubtedly, saving lives.

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A needed tool for law officers, July 17, 2000

By 

Wayne D. Ford (Lincoln, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Deadly Force Encounters: What Cops Need To Know To Mentally And Physically Prepare For And Survive A Gunfight (Paperback)

As a former Oakland, CA police sergeant and veteran of a number deadly force encounters, I can recommend this book to all street officers. In 1972 I was involved in an incident with an armed suspect who was killed. Today I can still relate the incident second by second. It will never leave me. This book allows you to gain from experience of deadly encounters without having to go through it yourself. This is very helpful and will certainly save lives. I recommend the book.

Wayne D. Ford, Ph.D, author of Managing Police Stress. [e-mail]

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars On mental aspects of combat, March 4, 2003

By 

Seppo Vesala (Helsinki, - Finland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Deadly Force Encounters: What Cops Need To Know To Mentally And Physically Prepare For And Survive A Gunfight (Paperback)

This is a very important book about officer survival. The focus is not on tactics, but on mental aspects of combat, and especially the aftermath of violent encounter.

The book starts with introduction of Survival triangle: You have to survive both physically, mentally, and legally to fully survive an violent encounter. The authors keep that in mind through the book, while the stress is on mental survival. Next the authors discuss the selection process of police recruits, and the nature of violence the police are forced to encounter in their line of duty. Next they give a thorough explanation of fear and it's effects on a person, and they address the issue of training, as well.

The main portion of the second part of the book (about 100 pages) is real-life stories told by cops, and the author's comments of the events. There is not any tactical reviewing, but the incidents are discussed on a psychological point of view. At the end of the second part there is a chapter of psychological injuries, starting from physical effects right after the incident, going to post-traumatic stress disorder and difficulties with relationships with other persons.

The third part of the book covers the treatment of a traumatic event survivor. The authors cover all aspects: What the survivor himself can do, what his superiors, family members, peers and so on can and should do. The authors also stress that there are many different kinds of encounters that can cause post-traumatic stress disorder other than gunfights, and that all participants of such encounter can develop mental problems, not just the ones who pull the trigger. There is also advise to detectives who investigate officer-involved shootings.

All things considered, this book is a very complete package. It is easy to read and the text is not too "scientific" for a layman to understand. This was the first book by Loren Christensen I have read, but it sure won't be the last!