Fight call!

[Darin]

Received a call from dispatch about a disturbance in some apartments. Dispatch said they could hear a woman screaming "run, run " so I haul ***. Upon my arrival I could hear screaming and stuff breaking. As I approach the apartment I see the door is open with a screen door closed. I obsereved a male subject (1) grab a female (2) and they fall into a television set knocking over a cable box. He then slams her to the floor. Before I could make entry I see another male subject (3) start punching the other male subject. I enter and tell them to stop fighting. They continue and the one guy is till punching the guy on the ground fighting with the female. I break out the OC shake it up and tell them I was going to spray everyone if they didn't stop. I guess they have been sprayed before because they immediately stop. I get them separated and everyone's bleeding. Then my backup arrives. They are all highly intoxicated. I arrest #3 for assault & battery. Arrest #1 for domestic assault because he was fighting his live in girlfriend.

Rescue arrives and treats everyone at the scene. #1 has a swollen and bleeding hand. He requests medical treatment so I have to transport him to the ER. Well he has a broken hand. He states he punched a windshield and broke his hand to show his g/f how much he cares :rolleyes: . Well this rinky dink hospital in the city I work can't set a frikken broken bone! I have to transport this toad to another hospital about 25 minutes away after being at that hospital for over 2 hours.

This incident started at about 2300 and I didnt get back to the magistrate for the domestic assault until 0445. I was supposed to end my shift at 0400 but didnt leave until 0530. Oh well... It's OT.

[mcsap]

The drunks of this world provide a never ending source of arrest material. Glad you got some OT.

[Samuel]

Darin, not to MMQ you but I have two quick thoughts:

1. Be extremely careful about going in alone - avoid if possible. Last thing you want is for you to go in with all the good intentions in the world of solving their problems and preventing serious injury - and have all 3 of them decide to turn on you.

2. If you're gonna spray, consider just spraying. Spray works best when it hits the eyes/nose/throat "straight on". If you announce, you give them the opportunity to cover up or otherwise lessen the effects.

Glad it turned out ok!

[Darin]

Thanks Samuel for the advice. When I went in I didn't start diving on people or grabbing people. I stayed at the door but juist inside and was watching everybody. 2 subjects were on the ground about 10' away and the other subject was on his feet. I made sure I didn't get surrounded by the subjects.


And thanx again Samuel for the thoughts. I'm always open for suggestions, advice or thoughts.

[Drew27k9]

If you're gonna spray, consider just spraying. Spray works best when it hits the eyes/nose/throat "straight on". If you announce, you give them the opportunity to cover up or otherwise lessen the effects.

The only time I let anyone know that I am about to spray is when other officers are present so they are aware.

[Legoate]

In a case like this where you are alone- spray from the door. Then if it turns to crap you can get back outside. Personally- I'd probably announce from outside the doorway and wait for backup- unless someone is obviously being injured. My dept deals with tons of drunken DV fights every night- I find it's easier to break up the fight when they are all tired out so that I don't have to fight them.

We don't show up at calls like this alone...we stage a block away until our partner shows up. Too many officers are injured/killed from drunken dv fights. The victims (and their families) will turn on you in a second. Even with backup I've had a victim jump on my back while I was trying to handcuff the suspect.

[Darin]

In a case like this where you are alone- spray from the door. Then if it turns to crap you can get back outside. Personally- I'd probably announce from outside the doorway and wait for backup- unless someone is obviously being injured. .

A guy was being punched about the head area. That's why I went in. And I stayed at the door and just inside.

[tessaend]

Why can't somebody love me enough to punch a windshield for me? That would show me he really cares!

Tessa

[andytelford]

I was wondering about the going in alone too. Glad everything worked out though. I almost had a stroke when I read you went in by yourself. Be careful d-man, I don't want to lose another bro.

[Kate]

We don't show up at calls like this alone...we stage a block away until our partner shows up.

They don't show up alone here in my town either. I've had to call the police on my neighbors 2 doors down because they were going at it. A few minutes later, there were 3 cars outside of their house and got everything under control. Cuffed the husband and carted him off...

Stay safe, Darin.

[Drew27k9]

I know some people on here are saying never go in alone, but sometimes we don't have a choice. Sometimes back-up is tied up and you have no choice but to go in by yourself. The first choice is to always wait until back-up gets there, but for some departments out there, back-up could be very far away.

[Samuel]

As you guys know, in LE work, "Never" and "Always" can be pisspoor or even deadly assumptions. I don't think anyone, myself included, meant "never" as in "never ever" - more like "all things being equal" or "for the most part"... lol

You're right though, you have to look at the totality of the circumstances before deciding and acting.

1. Go in, possibly sacrifice officer safety, hopefully prevent serious harm and resolve the situation.
2. Stay out, maximize officer safety, let the idiots continue to work things out their way, BUT maybe (the way society is these days) face some sort of penalty or other repercussions for not going in immediately.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't... :(

[ngcsubutterbar]

If you're gonna spray, consider just spraying. Spray works best when it hits the eyes/nose/throat "straight on". If you announce, you give them the opportunity to cover up or otherwise lessen the effects.

The only time I let anyone know that I am about to spray is when other officers are present so they are aware.

CLEAR!!!! :D

[Mike Romeo]

Thanks for the read Darin. I always appreciate reading this stuff given the path I've chosen.

Good work man, and I appreciate it.

[Norm357]

I woulda just went in and night sticked everyone. Thats just me of course. OC is for sissies. :D

Serious, good job Darin.