Tackling someone without getting hurt?

[quadwing]

I've seen a few videos where an LEO tackles a suspect to the ground on asphalt/cement/pavement. How do they not hurt their hands/arms/legs in the process? Is there a technique involved?

[5whiskey]

It all depends on the situation. Most of the time, if you're tackling someone they have committed a somewhat serious offense or they have ran from you. If it's a running situation, then alot of the times you just do it the best way you can. Sometimes, you get a little scuffed up. It goes with the job. There are techniques, but much of the time technique goes out the window when you're dealing with a rapidly evolving situation. Short answer... if the guy stands still and doesn't fight back or run, then there are a number of simple techniques to save yourself from injuries. If they're not compliant, you do the best you can.

[Item9]

Land on top.

[CACBAND]

Don't tackle? I remember getting a rock shoved under my finger nail tacking someone at the academy. It hurt for a long time, so I remember and try and avoid tackling people if I can.

[HI629]

Land on top.

Worked for me so far.

[beachcop05]

I've seen a few videos where an LEO tackles a suspect to the ground on asphalt/cement/pavement. How do they not hurt their hands/arms/legs in the process? Is there a technique involved?

Unfortunately there is no perfect technique where the LEO is not injured. This job has one of the highest number of injured on duty percentages of any other job out there...there is no other job out there, where on a weekly basis you might have to get into a physical confrontation with someone, even if it is not an all out fight, you might still be struggling to pull someone's hands behind their back, or have someone pulling away from you.....after years and years of that, it wears on your body eventually.

So far for me, two shoulder dislocations and one surgery, all from this job. Just keep that in mind, and always have a back-up plan when you come into Law Enforcement. Because it could be that one call you go to, and next thing you know you are injured and have to medically retire.

[PhilipCal]

Personally, I like the land on top option.It's pretty effective, and looks good when the "media wonks" are looking.

[SgtCHP]

Stay in excellent physical condition, land on top and let your rookie do the work!

[retired]

I always let my Sgt. do the tackling.

[Michigan79]

Taser em first

[mdrdep]

Cause we all played football, it's a job requirement.

[TheTick]

Cause we all played football, it's a job requirement.

Excuse me, I played rugby...

To OP: You kind of just try to "ride them down", but nothings perfect. If it's a foot pursuit and I am catching up to them, I usually just try and push them, it generally makes someone fall forward.

Nothing's perfect.

[Speedbird543]

Go to you tube and search "Terrell Suggs", "Brian Dawkins", or "Brian Orakpo" and do EVERYTHING they do.

[ummone]

I will only tackle my wife when shes standing by the bed...everyone else gets zapped.

[Ryan865]

Excuse me, I played rugby...

To OP: You kind of just try to "ride them down", but nothings perfect. If it's a foot pursuit and I am catching up to them, I usually just try and push them, it generally makes someone fall forward.

Nothing's perfect.

It's okay, he just needed the extra pads for protection.

[moparfan]

Stay in excellent physical condition, land on top and let your rookie do the work!

Shouldn't the rookie being doing the tackling and you putting the cuffs on??

[SHU]

Pushing them down or kick tripping them is much safer if the situation allows. But a good tackle where the rabbits head digs into the pavement is educational.

[Albert Wesker]

Try pushing a guy forward who is running and he will fall over. Believe me, works a lot better than tackling.

Now don't get me wrong, I have tackled plenty of guys, in fact probably a lot more than the average law enforcement officer, and I have been fortunate in that the worst injury I have had is a few minor bruises and scrapes.

[LA DEP]

Pushing them down or kick tripping them is much safer if the situation allows. But a good tackle where the rabbits head digs into the pavement is educational.

Hitting them with the car door slows them down a bit too.....

[TheTick]

Hitting them with the car door slows them down a bit too.....

LOL. But only if the car has COMPLETELY stopped rolling, otherwise it's deadly force according to Adm. Sgts... ask me how I know.

[SCSU74]

I've seen a few videos where an LEO tackles a suspect to the ground on asphalt/cement/pavement. How do they not hurt their hands/arms/legs in the process? Is there a technique involved?

land on the bad guy

[XD4ME]

Use the runner to break you fall as much as possible. Keep in mind asphalt can lead to some nasty road rash. Some of the bike patrol guys I have seen developed very effective methods for chasing and "decentralizing" runners.

[justind000]

The technique is more like a few dictums: land on top, don't fall to begin with, don't get in that situation.

[AdamsCountySO]

If you're concerned about getting a little scrap on your arm, you shouldn't be in law enforcement. When you tackle someone, you have so much adrenaline you won't even know you're cut until you get back to the office/jail. And of course, land on top of them and keep your gun away as much as possible!

[Zeitgeist]

If you're concerned about getting a little scrap on your arm, you shouldn't be in law enforcement. When you tackle someone, you have so much adrenaline you won't even know you're cut until you get back to the office/jail. And of course, land on top of them and keep your gun away as much as possible!

^ yep