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To suit up or not to suit up.
http://fugitiverecovery.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=13140		 Page 1 of 3
Author:  Chris Anders [ Sun 08 Apr 2012 10:08 ]
Post subject:  To suit up or not to suit up.
OK, I'm obviously new here and only in the biz for a few months, the company I work with has their protocol and I'd like to know what everyone else's protocol is.

What is everyone's S.O.P. for suiting up on a recovery (i.e. vest, firearms, chemical, dogs etc)?

I've seen some suit up for all and some suit up only for known violent offenders/high risk. So far, my military mind says to always be prepared for the worst because you never know what frame of mind the subject is in, however there is also a point where it becomes overkill. Where do you draw the line?

Thanks in advance.
Author:  Kris316 [ Sun 08 Apr 2012 10:31 ]
Post subject:  Re: To suit up or not to suit up.
I make all my guys suit up for any pick up no matter what the case may be i would reather my guys be safe then sorry they always put their vest on even if just going to talk witb co signer
Author:  MarshallSvc [ Sun 08 Apr 2012 10:45 ]
Post subject:  Re: To suit up or not to suit up.
It depends on what you call "suiting up".

Dressing up like a swat team member, no not at all. Being safe and protecting yourself while keeping the appearance of a professional, yes.
Author:  SpanielPI [ Sun 08 Apr 2012 12:34 ]
Post subject:  Re: To suit up or not to suit up.
1st off, you aren't in the military anymore, you aren't in a war, and you have to be extremely careful how you both present yourself as well as interact with innocent 3rd parties.
Remember, we live in a society that will sue anyone for anything at anytime. Merely "suiting up" could land both you and your client in a lawsuit. Now, anyone can file the suit, knowing that most of these suits get settled out of court. So the questions are both rhetorical and academic.
Do you have the funds on hand to defend your actions ? Could you have avoided the suit altogether if you had worked smarter, not harder ?
I've been doing this for 12 yrs now. I can count on 1 hand the number of times I've worn a vest.

I, like most other folks on here, practice the "kiss" principle as well as low impact (Scott M.) recoveries as much as possible.
If you really feel the need to wear a vest, the do so under your shirt. Besides, if a criminal is going to shoot you, and he sees you're wearing a vest, then all that's going to happen is he will shoot you in the head, thighs (femoral artey), etc.
I suggest you take Scott M.'s class. He does several cases w/o a "bat belt" or guns.
Remember: Recon, Plan, Execute. You decide when to strike.
Author:  snakebyte [ Sun 08 Apr 2012 12:45 ]
Post subject:  Re: To suit up or not to suit up.
When we wear tac carriers for vests at my job, people always say, "well they'll just shoot you in the head". I know its not what the op asked, but wanted to share my experiences, most of us at my last security job wore them, and someone we removed came back with a pistol and fired 13 shots at a group of us...what'd he hit? A van and a telephone pole. That's it... Most of them aren't marksmen by any means. But the attention to your surroundings is top priority. Sometimes the outer carrier can draw unwanted attention. But to say it's something that should never be used is a bit much in my opinion.
Author:  SpanielPI [ Sun 08 Apr 2012 13:03 ]
Post subject:  Re: To suit up or not to suit up.
I didn't say to "never" wear one. I simply suggested if he feels the need to do, then do it quietly, under his shirt.
Author:  snakebyte [ Sun 08 Apr 2012 14:03 ]
Post subject:  Re: To suit up or not to suit up.
I was only commenting on the outer vest, not under the shirt ones. I rarely wear he outside ones, and if I do, its because there's already problems, or somebody was already taken to the hospital.
I'm not speaking to this specific field, because I have very little experiene so far. Just my experience when using them. We wore them doing riot and crowd control. I use them now because its convenient on and off.
Author:  KARMA [ Sun 08 Apr 2012 14:18 ]
Post subject:  Re: To suit up or not to suit up.
With the way folks are acting these days it is better to be safe than dead . . . I very seldom have to go out and get one . . . But when I do I will wear a vest under my "Bail Agent" lettered windbreaker. As far as "suiting up" like swat there is no need to as it draws un-necessary attention. Always, always check in with your Locals . . . that way there is no "call to them" in the negative and oft times they may just offer to "ride along" to keep the peace :wink:
Remember when doing a recovery the most "work" is in the "planning" and if something starts to go South . . . it can most possibly only get worse.
There is always another day.
Author:  Chris Anders [ Sun 08 Apr 2012 14:23 ]
Post subject:  Re: To suit up or not to suit up.
I don't run around looking like a swat team member nor act like a soldier. I wear khaki cargo pants and an embroidered black polo shirt. I'm not there for "shock & awe", I'm there to bring somebody in. My vest is always under my polo for the purpose it was intended for, protection not impression. I specialize in surveillance and the key is to not be noticed. I use the same principles as a FRA. The only gear that is visible is a badge, cuffs & a radio. I'm not asking what to do, I'm asking what do YOU do. This thread wasn't intended as a debate but rather to see what the people on this site practice. So please no accusations or finger pointing.
Author:  SpanielPI [ Sun 08 Apr 2012 16:19 ]
Post subject:  Re: To suit up or not to suit up.
It is impossible to get a universal answer due to the multitude of variables as well as differences in AO's.
For example, in my backyard, we very seldom wear them unless the target's profile indicates previous violent tendencies.
Now, if I were working Detroit, Atlanta, Chattanooga, Memphis, etc. you better believe I'm wearing 1.
You also should be advised that not all BEA apparel is legal in every state. Just because your AO allows you to do/wear certain things, doesn't mean other states will.
So like I said, each area is different in multiple ways.
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