what if: DV call, spouse is threatened by weapon BUT, they wont let you in on scene?

[repoman1984]

OK I've really been wondering this one especially if policy varies from dept to dept.

The scenario: Spouse calls 911 for a DV call, signifigant other has a knife or other weapon and claims they are in fear for their life as the signifigant other is threatening them with said weapon. You and your partner are first on scene (please correct me IF I have your policy incorrect on the following) you approach the locked door identify yourself and a voice inside presumably the calling party states "everything is ok he/she is calmed down now please go away" as you pursist and state your need to go inside and verify all parties are safe and unharmed you get the same responce refusing you entry politely in an attempt to get you to leave. All the doors and windows are locked and barred the doors are steel security doors that swing outward. What do you do from here?

[BP348]

Too many what if's

But I can tell you that there is no way the officers would leave without speaking to each individual in person to verify their safety. A simple, "every things OK go away" isn't going to cut it.

If they refuse to open the door then that's what the SWAT team is for. Either they open the door or the SWAT team opens it for them. One way or another the officers will enter that house.

[retdetsgt]

If they refuse to open the door then that's what the SWAT team is for. Either they open the door or the SWAT team opens it for them. One way or another the officers will enter that house.

The steel security doors and windows sound a little off the wall. People that live in those don't call the cops, period.

On a normal call like that, if they don't open the door, I open it. I wouldn't wait for a SWAT team. I'm going to talk to the caller face to face, I don't care who says I can't.

I've had that scenario unfold a number of times and I never left until I was satisfied the original caller was okay with me leaving.

[manahmanah]

I'm making some kind of hole in the house and going in through it.

[Cat_Doc]

Yep, exigent circumstances, we are going in the house to check on health and welfare.

One way or another, we are getting in that house.

[repoman1984]

well I'm a little ashamed to say that I live in a building where every unit has a wooden and security door and units are either on the second floor or have bars, its very common in los angeles in many neihborhoods to have a home setup as described even "security patios" are fairly common (lol I know great place to raise a family huh?). Would you simply call SWAT? tell the occupant if they dont open the door immediately SWAT would be called? try to reason with them to get the door open? attempt to force the door open?

I appologize if I was unclear "security door" as defined is wire mesh and steel frame with owner installed lockset anyone can purchase at a home depot or lowes etc.

[BP348]

Security doors or no security doors one way or another in your above situation the door is going to be opened. If it takes hooking a chain to the door and ripping it off then that's what going to happen.

I'm sure getting thru security doors isn't that big a deal for LAPD if they are that popular.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

The police are not going away. Either the occupants themselves can open the door, or it will be opened FOR them.

FYI - security doors aren't all they're cracked up to be.

[retdetsgt]

well I'm a little ashamed to say that I live in a building where every unit has a wooden and security door and units are either on the second floor or have bars, its very common in los angeles in many neihborhoods to have a home setup as described even "security patios" are fairly common (lol I know great place to raise a family huh?). Would you simply call SWAT? tell the occupant if they dont open the door immediately SWAT would be called? try to reason with them to get the door open? attempt to force the door open?

My apologies, I forgot about L.A. Yeah, I've seen those when I went down there.

Trying to reason, punching a hole in the wall, whatever depends on the attitude of the people inside and a number of varying circumstances. But we are going to talk to the caller face to face, one way or the other.

Can't you imagine the liability if we just walked away and the caller was assaulted or killed?

[Cat_Doc]

FYI - security doors aren't all they're cracked up to be.

They do make a neat noise when they are ripped open. And, the turd inside won't know where to go when he hears the back windows being raked at the same time.

[retdetsgt]

FYI - security doors aren't all they're cracked up to be.

When I worked dope, we took them out fairly easily on search warrants. Unfortunately, they aren't common enough around here that most uniform cops carry a bar or something that can be used to pop them.

And it's almost always dope dealers up there that have that stuff so they generally don't last a long time anyway. They might as well put up a flag advertising their business if they secure their houses like that.

[kels]

You see the tin,
we're coming in.

You get the idea.

[repoman1984]

do officers ever pick locks or do any specific tricks to non-destructively open doors? As a locksmith that does a lot of evictions with LE I wonder if they would have any special use for me (knock-on-wood) if I'm accepted into the academy.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

do officers ever pick locks or do any specific tricks to non-destructively open doors? As a locksmith that does a lot of evictions with LE I wonder if they would have any special use for me (knock-on-wood) if I'm accepted into the academy.

He said, "non-destructive"! As if THAT'd be any fun... There's no time to be "non-destructive" when someone's getting filleted on the other side of the door. If need be, I will throw your garden gnome through your front window if I need to get in there and save someone.

[repoman1984]

He said, "non-destructive"! As if THAT'd be any fun... There's no time to be "non-destructive" when someone's getting filleted on the other side of the door. If need be, I will throw your garden gnome through your front window if I need to get in there and save someone.

Hey now my reccord with Los Angeles Sherrifs is 3 seconds to unlock a door and 10 seconds for deadbolt and knob . Oh do they LOVE to bust my chops when I get stuck on a crappy lock though. The Deputies who know me give a good jibe after 30 seconds of picking: "Hey son, whats going on? I'm I gonna have to call dispatch and tell them our locksmith got held up on a 10$ lock?"