[Janq]

As reported today by KCCI:

There is no report just a video with 911 operator tape included;
http://www.kcci.com/video/11299662/index.html

- Janq

Lessons learned:
Good job for the lady defending herself.
But, she could have been a tad bit less combative with the operator and get right to the point of the matter...

'My name is Vic Tim. I am inside my home at 123 Main Street. There is someone trying to break in at my second floor bedroom window. I am armed with a pistol and fired X shots at a person who had tried to enter my window. Please send help quickly.
I will be in the rearmost corner of my bedroom adjacent to the window waiting for the police to arrive. I look like <fill in the blank> and am wearing <fill in the blank clothing>.
Please send help now, I am fearful there may be others.'

Tell the operator the above or something similar rather than short snide statements and then giving her lip and using expletives toward the person who is the keymaster between you and the cavalry.

 

[DJ 9iron]

Yeah damn. In anyone else's situation though, who knows how you might respond when posed with those questions. Personally, I was kinda annoyed with the operator. "what do you mean you shot?" Can you imagine her adrenaline levels at that point. I can hardly blame her.

 

[Janq]

I don't blame her per se, but I'm pretty sure my first thought/reaction would not be to curse out the operator and be belligernt to the person I'm asking for assistance from.

Again take my commentary not as a criticism but a reflection of what lesson can be learned or taken from this real life scenario.
If ever you find yourself in same similar conditions my commentary toward what to say just may prove to be most useful and effective toward securing help _quickly_ as opposed to giving incomplete details and being difficult in general.

BTW, her shoot is good IMHO.
I hope she's not taken to task or rolled into a legal battle.

- Janq

 

[Adler]

Thats about 45miles from where I live. I love the 911 tape. That area is just crawling with methheads.

 

[Adler]

The family of the victim is all over the news trying to get the police to charge the woman with murder. The mother kept saying that the daughter was not trying to break into the house. She had a friggin ladder and a pair of cutters to get through the 2nd floor screen at 2am. If she really wanted to "talk" like the mother said, would not the doorbell be a better option?

 

[Fuzz541]

Yeah damn. In anyone else's situation though, who knows how you might respond when posed with those questions. Personally, I was kinda annoyed with the operator. "what do you mean you shot?" Can you imagine her adrenaline levels at that point. I can hardly blame her.

Totally. Also, keep in mind that the dispatcher has probably never taken an "I just shot somebody" call. It's rare as hell. The dispatcher seemed to get it together after the "double take," though she could have been more effective.

This is why more cops and dispatchers need good communication training, specifically, something like Verbal Judo. It's standard "active listening" fine tuned for a police environment. The author calls it "tactical empathy," which is exactly right. You listen to what the other person is saying, tailor your response accordingly, doing what you can to bring them to a calmer place, even if it means losing a little face or making nice (temporarily) with a POS scumbag.

In this case, the dispatcher could have made some reassuring overtures like, "I know you're under stress right now, but for the safety of you and the police, I need you to put the gun down." Caller: "Blah blah when I hear the sirens blah blah." Dispatcher: "OK, stay on the phone with me, and when you hear the sirens and I hear them call out at the scene, I'll need you to put it down. What are you wearing, so they know who you are when they get there...?" etc. etc. etc.

Overall, it wasn't that bad, and it worked out. I'm just Thursday morning QB'ing.

<<< Naturally empathetic with buttloads of corporate and public safety training in communication, Verbal Judo, and Crisis Negotiation.

 

[Fuzz541]

The family of the victim is all over the news trying to get the police to charge the woman with murder. The mother kept saying that the daughter was not trying to break into the house. She had a friggin ladder and a pair of cutters to get through the 2nd floor screen at 2am. If she really wanted to "talk" like the mother said, would not the doorbell be a better option?

The victim? The shooter is the victim here, bro. The "family of the dead burglar" is more accurate.

I know you know this, I'm just being a dick.

 

[Adler]

I meant victim of crackheaded stupidity*wink*. Even her mom said "she used to be a good girl, and even got accepted to Drake University..........until she fell into the wrong crowd and drugs"

 

[Fuzz541]

I meant victim of crackheaded stupidity*wink*. Even her mom said "she used to be a good girl, and even got accepted to Drake University..........until she fell into the wrong crowd and drugs"

Ding.