If you are reading this, it’s probably you. The problem is everyone doesn’t know that, especially the cops. So what can we do to make sure the good guys know we are the good guys?
The first thing is to call the police. Generally whoever calls first is the victim, and by default the other person is the bad guy. So if something happens, call the police and report it. Sometimes they might not even send a police officer, just let them know something happened. Criminals are getting smart. If they lose, they may call 911 just to keep from going to jail. They are criminals, so they will lie to get what they want.
Once police arrive things get harder. Start by doing what they tell you to. If the cop runs on the scene and you and a bad guy are standing there. He will yell something like freeze. The one that runs is always the bad guy, ask any cop. Just remember the bad guy may take a cheap shot if you look away.
If you are in the middle of a struggle this becomes even harder. An off duty ATF agent in New York had this go terribly wrong and was killed by an off duty New York Cop while struggling with a robber (Story Here). There is no right answer that will work every time, but start immediately talking to the Police Officer that arrives. You want to stay things that will get the officer thinking. Remember the police officer will be excited and scared. State the obvious first (I’m the good guy, help me), and then start talking to the cop. This is supper hard while you are in the middle of a fight, but the alternative is to become the bad guy in the cops’ eyes and have them attack you.
During any encounter with police when there has been a crime, be patient. The first thing the police will do is “secure the scene.” In other words, make the area safe for them. This may include handcuffing, searching, and putting everyone in the back of squad cars, or holding everyone at gun point until more officers can get there to sort out what happened.
Do remember that cases like the New York ATF Agent above are rare, but do happen. When the police first arrive you could be in just as much danger from them as a bad guy. So the three things you can do to mitigate this danger are, be the first to call police, start talking to the police once they arrive, and obey the commands given by police.
Stay Safe,
Ben