Know Your Body Language

Many people have attempted to decipher body language as a means of predicting human behavior. Many of these people are self-proclaimed professionals who have never spent a day in a job where reading body language can be a life saving skill. Many of us in corrections and related law enforcement careers already possess the skills to “read” a person based on their physical behavior, but have a hard time articulating it in a report or in court.

Many of us have faced an inmate or suspect that we know has violent tendencies. We can usually base this on the first five seconds of contact. We’ll assess the environment, and ask if we have a tactical “out” - is there a way for me to get out of the situation should the inmate or suspect gain the upper hand on this situation? Second, we should look at how the person is standing. Commonly we associate a “bladed” stance (one foot in front of the other, standing sideways to your adversary) as an aggressive posture. The person will be standing partially sideways, commonly with his hands above his waist.

Read the entire article

Copyright © Montana Sheriffs & Peace Officers Association
&