Take him out or take him down...

[EMTinGrandAm]

So last night I was in a local night hot-spot enjoying some live music (more of a classy bar, not a club or trasshy scene), when an argument broke out, and for a good 4 or 5 minutes the bouncers were there kinda keeping the peace but not intruding too much, they were trying to calm everyone without getting physical, but as soon as the first cop walked in the side door, the pushing started, and it got ugly, and I saw the cop struggle to get one guy out the side door, rather than take him to the ground which seemingly would have been easier...
Do you think he did that becasue he'de rather wrestle with one in the street than have something happen while cuffing the bg on the ground inside? At the time he was the only cop... The bouncers were trying to keep everyone else inside but they too got dragged out in the swarm of movement as the pack followed the cop... How would you handle the situation? All of the parties involved (bout 10)were like 35 yr old businessmen, and the crowd was clearly keeping their distance, and the only physical confrentation was the 2 guys arguing, but naturaly their friends crowded aruond making the situation more tense....
Just curious what you would do, or reasons behind that...

And if you were the lone cop in that situation, would you want the bouncers outside too keeping the rest of the followers appart? How receptive are you to help in that situation??

[mcsap]

I wouldn't go to a bar ( classy or not) without backup. Unless someone was dying, I would wait for some other units.

Otherwise it is situation ethics and without being there to see what was going on, I can't really make a further judgement.

[P01IC3M4N]

a friend of mine did that. he got called to a bar fight and was by himself as everyone else was tied up. a group of drunk guys started threatening to whoop him. he clocked the closest guy to him and said, "who's next?" the crowd immediately dispersed. while this may not be the "legal" way of handling things, sometimes you have to seriously consider self preservation. anything that contributes to that is a good thing.

[FPS207]

Without knowing detailed information, I wouldn't have gone into a bar alone because a couple "idiots" wanted to fight. I would let them beat the crap out of each other, then after the bouncers tossed them outside, I could pick them up and take them to jail if necessary. One officer has a better chance of taking a tired drunk then one who is fresh for a fight. We let them wear themselves out, then we step in.

[Group9]

I wouldn't go to a bar ( classy or not) without backup. Unless someone was dying, I would wait for some other units.

Otherwise it is situation ethics and without being there to see what was going on, I can't really make a further judgement.

This is the right answer IMHO, as well.

[Ghost 1]

The dept I used to work at was in a resort town. Most of the bars hired off duty officers as security. If it was someone I knew/trusted on the inside,then yeah I'd go in. But if I didn't know the bouncers,then I'd wait for backup.

[Scruit]

Question: When you are called to a bar fight, is it safer to wrestle the guy outside when there's less people milling around? Versus groundfight with a guy in a crowded bar with your back to everyone?

[APilgrim00]

clocked the closest guy to him and said who's next? Im no cop...Im no nothing close to being one. An avg citizen. But doesnt that seem very wrong? He was there to stop a fight, and so he hits a guy because people were taunting him? did the guy file a complaint?

also..wouldnt this be very dangerous? One cop vs ____ # of drunks ready to fight? Isnt there a very high chance that people who arent clearly thinking due to alcohol, would try to fight the cop since they figure "power in numbers"? Usually, what Ive seen, if someone throws a punch, everyone else doesnt just walk away scared. Especially not drunk people LOOKING for a fight.

[spudcop]

I have to agree with the majority, wait for backup unless someone is in danger of serious bodily injury or death. And as to the Officer who hit the guy, I wasn't there, but if the Officer was being aggressed and there was a mob, he did what he had to do, but without more details I won't Monday mornin quaterback

[Scruit]

APilgrim: You said; "so he hits a guy because people were taunting him?"

The poster actually said; "a group of drunk guys started threatening to whoop him"

I'm not going to say if it was right or wrong because I don't have enough information to make that call... But I will point out that there's a big difference between someone "taunting" and someone "threatening to whoop" you.

[Bryan]

In a bar situation, you almost always have someone thats had one to many bottles of bravery. Then you add in the reason your there to begin with and its not a good situation to be in. Grabbing the bad guy and taking him outside no doubt is the best option so you dont have to worry about the others wanting to take a cheap shot at you.

if it wasnt for liquor we would all be out of a job!!!

[EMTinGrandAm]

This all makes a lot of sence yes... I was somewhat blinded by its location and the people there, but you're right, with the alcohol factor, outside is clearly right, I was just a little curious when I saw it happen.... but thanks everyone

[Lfpdlieu302]

backup is the only safe way to go here.

[APilgrim00]

I think my post was more directed towards the dangerous side. How smart was it to hit someone out of a "mob threatening to whoop you"? 1 against a mob? I really dont think him hitting one guy would have sent a "mob threatening to whoop you" walking away quietly. If they were wanting a fight, they would have fought back Im sure. Being drunk, I doubt they would have cared be it a cop or not. In my opinion, it would be a very poorly thought out decision just for your own safety. Just my thoughts about it.

[marine19860222]

that sounds fun, id go in by myself if i was a cop.