Evaluation of Tactical Movement and Firearm Draw Performance During Charging Knife Attacks

ABSTRACT

The study evaluated firearm draw performance (FDP), trigger cadence (TC), and survivability rate (SR) against charging knife attacks (KA) from different distances utilizing different movement tactics. Twenty active-duty law enforcement officers (age = 36.9$\pm$10.6 y.) outfitted with wearable motion sensors and a practice pistol executed three randomized defensive tactics against an attacker charging from four distances armed with a rubber knife. FDP during the charging KA trials spanned between 0.87 and 1.19 s, compared to the baseline FDP (no duress) of 1.41 ± 0.3 s. TC was between 0.21 and 0.29 s to discharge two rounds. Using a firearm from 30 ft had 100% SR, 21 ft had 95% SR, 15 ft had 58.33% SR, and 10 ft had 15% SR. Backward (72.5%) was the safest movement response, followed by lateral (71.25%), then stationary (57.5%). Improving FDP around 1s, a lateral or backward movement in response to getting charged, and shortening the firearm draw, specifically at 21 ft and closer are recommended against KAs.

KEYWORDS:

• firearm draw performance
• knife attacks
• police training
• police education
• use of force

Acknowledgments

Corresponding Author received grant from Host University to support study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

Data provided by the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Rocky Mountain University Internal Student Research Grant.

Notes on contributors

Michael A. Kantor

Dr. Michael Kantor is a PhD Graduate from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Provo, Utah in Health Sciences concentrating on Human and Sport Performance. Dr. Kantor holds a Master Degree in Exercise Physiology from Minnesota State University, Mankato and a Bachelors in Exercise Science from Augsburg University and is a current Certified Exercise Physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine. Dr. Kantor experience in working with law enforcement officers involves research involving kinematics of shooting scenarios against law enforcements officers, knife attacks and physiological responses of law enforcement officers in stressful scenarios. Dr. Kantor also has published work in exercise motivation, general fitness, exercise physiology and human performance.

Susannah Reiner

Dr. Susannah Reiner is currently a Human Performance Consultant at Theory Ex: Health and Performance Consulting LLC. She is a former scientific writer for Tonal® and lecturer of exercise science and health and physical education at Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City, NJ. She has a PhD in Health Sciences, concentrating on Human and Sport Performance from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. She holds her Master of Science degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion from California University of Pennsylvania. She is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Personal Trainer® (NSCA-CPT®), American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSMEP- C), and National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Performance Enhancement Specialist (NASM-PES). Her research interests include the psychophysiological effects of exercise and behavior change. Reiner has over 10 years of experience in health, fitness, and performance, working with various populations in commercial, community, and collegiate settings.

Robert W. Pettitt

Dr. Robert W. Pettitt is the Dean of the School of Health Sciences at Salt Lake Community College in West Jordan, Utah. He is a former full professor in the PhD Health Science Program and Director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects at the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. He is a former full professor and chair of the Department of Human Performance at Minnesota State University, Mankato. He has a PhD in Exercise and Sport Science from the University of Utah and is a research fellow with the American College of Sports Medicine. Dr. Pettitt has published over 80 peer review articles, over 80 research abstracts, and the textbook entitled Exercise Physiology Laboratories with Kendall-Hunt Publishing. Dr. Pettitt has numerous publications and projects related to the law enforcement use-of-force and was an advisor to the Force Science Institute®.