According to the FBI, the second largest circumstance where law enforcement officers were killed 2001-2010 was in ambush situations (22 percent). The International Association of Chiefs of Police reports that since 2000 police officers are ambushed an average of 215 times per year. Whether inspired by foreign terrorism, or motivated by an anti-government or anti-police bias, the trend of targeted violence against police officers appears to be increasing after years of decline. Unfortunately, this trend has also touched Ohio. Danville Police Officer Thomas Cottrell and Cincinnati Police Officer Sonny Kim—two of the last three Ohio officers to be feloniously killed while protecting Ohio’s citizens—were both killed in ambushes.
Looking at trends in officer safety and what OPOTA could provide to support Ohio’s law enforcement, in 2014, it began offering
Critical Survival Skills for Patrol Officers. This dynamic course for patrol officers blends various disciplines and skills needed to survive surprise violent encounters. Officers will be exposed through exercises and scenarios to the mindset, skills, and tactics needed to protect themselves and others. In 2015, OPOTA developed a similar, but more focused course:
Counter Ambush Tactics for Law Enforcement. This three-day firearms course offers strategies and techniques to avoid being ambushed and to increase an officer’s chances of survival during an ambush. The course uses live-fire drills to simulate several different types of ambushes and injured officer drills and puts an emphasis on split-second decision making and communication under stress.
Counter Ambush Tactics for Law Enforcement
Aug. 23-25, London, $430
August 30-Sept. 1, Richfield, $385
Critical Survival Skills for Patrol Officers
Sept. 13-15, London, $345
Sept. 28-30, Richfield, $300