FBI Jounral The Deadly Mix - Essay Example

In the article 'The Deadly Mix' in the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, Pinizzotto, Davis and Miller, describe a combination of three elements that could threaten the life and safety of a law enforcement officer. The authors list the three components, referred to as 'The Deadly Mix,' cited from the study titled, Killed in the Line of Duty, as 'a) the officer, b) the offender and c) the circumstances which brought the two together'.1 Offering specific instances in which the components of the 'Deadly Mix' converge, the authors delineate the importance of 'perception and assumption' as well as some specific actions which often result to an officer's confrontation against a deadly or a violent circumstance.

Citing a specific instance, the authors recount a story of an officer who stopped a vehicle, talked to the radio away from the offender and consequently got shot while he was talking to another friend about a dinner appointment. Assumed as a grave threat by the offender wanted for a felony, the offender shot the officer to avoid arrest. This is just an example of an occurrence where the Deadly Mix came together, which, according to the authors, have caused deaths and fatal injuries to the enforcement agents involved.

Hence, profound understanding and insightful examination of these elements as well as proper knowledge with regards the issue could save an officer's life as it is quite impossible to profile which offender will likely assault an officer. Similarly, even an officer who relies on his long experience in confronting offenders in risky circumstances may discover that his 'complacency' can be a trap. The interaction of each of the facet of these components, the authors contends, 'are fluid and dynamic' as wrong perception and assumption of at least one of the three have dangerous consequences to an officer.

A careful examination of these occurrences can prevent an officer from putting his life to risks (Pinizzotto et al, 2007). An assessment of this issue is extremely vital amidst the violence inflicted to officers on duty during their encounter with offenders. A few weeks back, the US authorities released another video of a female officer dragged for several feet by the offender's cars as she tried to apprehend the suspect who was allegedly driving a stolen car. Similar incidents occurred in the past in which officers were dragged tens of feet or a couple hundred of feet and were critically injured as a result.

What is worse is that, the victims are increasing every year. Unfortunately though, these scenes brought entertainment to many television viewers and the whole generation of 'YouTube' users who do not have any idea how it feels to be dragged for 90 feet by a speeding vehicle. For many, this seems like a 'feat' performed by a law enforcer, conferring to many viewers the perception that law enforcement agents are invincible because majority of these officers survived being dragged. What is concealed however is the fact that many officers have lost their lives in these kinds of encounters and that there is a dearth of information with regard effective evaluation on how to avoid these vicious confrontations.

Officers who suffered and went through this viciousness also suffer from psychological and emotional distress. In addition, incidences like these could discourage many law enforcement agents from apprehending more suspects or pursuing their duties more aggressively. It could likewise dampen the spirits and passion of those who, in the future, desire to serve their communities as law enforcement agents if the public and the community do not recognize the gravity of these situations. I concur with the authors of the article that comprehensive assessment should be conducted on every single one of these incidences.

Furthermore, the participation of the members of the community and other constituents of our society is important in order to shed light on the issue. Even if we can comprehend a few of the dynamics that bring forth the components of the Deadly Mix together, these will still be valuable insights since there is a need to prevent the increasing occurrences of injury meted out to many officers across the United States. The recognition of both the authorities and the public that these occurrences are serious and not sources of entertainment may be able to help bring better understanding of the intricacies and the threats of the 'Deadly Mix.

' In this way, just like what the authors implied, law enforcers will be bestowed opportunities to survive this menace so that they can continue serving well their communities as well as their families.WORKS CITEDPinizzotto, A., Davis, E., & Miller, C. (2007). The Deadly Mix: Officers, Offenders, and the Circumstances That Bring Them Together. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin. 76, 1-10.Pinizzotto, A., Edward F. Davis, and Charles E. Miller III (1992). "Killed in the Line of Duty" J U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Violent Encounters: Felonious Assaults on Americas Law Enforcement Officers (Washington, DC, 2006) cited in Pinizzotto et.

Al, 2007, p. 2