NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — When major roads have to be closed for ongoing law enforcement situations as Plum was between 56th and 82nd on June 7, it's important to understand that keeping officers and the person in crisis safe is the goal.
"That's a major thoroughfare that had to be shut down for the majority of the day," said Hutchinson Police Chief Jeff Hooper. "One of the things that we've come to realize in law enforcement is that time is on our side in those particular situations. If you force that situation, or if we push officers or push the suspect by the tactics that we use, then it's more likely that encounter is going to turn into a violent encounter and we're going to have to use force. The suspect may be pushed into a corner, where they feel that they have to use force against our officers. We will take all the time that we need to negotiate, to negotiate, to negotiate, to try to come to a peaceful resolution."
In the case of the June 7 events, Hutch police's role was to support the initial efforts of the Reno County Sheriff's Office.
"The sheriff's department was out there for several hours and then they brought us in as a fresh team to come and assist them," Hooper said. "We were able to utilize those tactics, and, like I said, we always believe that time is on our side."
The longer events last, especially when the person in crisis is by themselves, the better chance that they will get tired and decide it's better to give up and get help.