Why do police/cops yell "get on the ground" when they are in a building? Is this dumb?

Answer 1

The phrase "get on the ground" is drilled into many officers during their training. It's a simple phrase that is easily said under stress and most people understand the meaning when they hear it. Saying "get on the ground" in a building isn't stupid, but watching a suspect trying to follow the commands of three or four officers yelling different things makes for a dangerous situation (like when the officers are giving commands at gun point). It's simpler and safer to train the officers to use one common phrase and to reinforce that in their training.

Answer 2

Someone once asked me how many goals have to be scored in an NHL game, and I burst out laughing. Not really about my team, but it's the only dumb question regarding Hockey someone ever asked me. Mike - LOL, my kind of van. J/k. Mike - The van is still not as bad as this one van 5 minutes from where I live. It's an old black Dodge Ram Van from the 80's, and in red, the words "Death Mobile" are spray painted on it's side. What's worse is that it has a "For Sale" sign on it. Mike - Haha, yea "Death Mobile." The police station isn't too far away, I don't know why they don't take it away.

Answer 3

To avoid gun fire and save innocent civilian lives, say for example if the police went in a club and said "get on the ground" the innocent civilians will all get on the floor while the suspect in pursuit is less likely to get down but be standing up probably running. With all the innocent on the floor the police can take the suspect down without worrying about shooting an innocent. Then again if the criminal was really smart he would get down too.

Answer 4

Why would it be different in a building? The idea is to neutralize the threat that they might pose to the officer or others around. If you are prostrate on the ground, there isn't much you can do, and it would take some fairly conspicuous movement to do much of anything. I don't see how that would change if you were inside or out.

Answer 5

No--it's a very good idea. If someone is on the ground, they are less of a threat. It's difficult to attack an officer if you're laying prone, and it makes it easier for the officer to handcuff you if necessary. Also if a gunfight does break out, laying prone makes you much less likely to get hit by a stray bullet, as gunfire is usually exchanged more horizontally than vertically. Finally, it helps officers identify who is the most dangerous person present, as someone who is prepared to run or attack won't simply lay down on the ground when told.

Answer 6

get on the ground means the same thing no matter where you are. inside, outside doesn't matter. if you hear it you know what it means and when someone is told to do it is for safety reasons for the cops. it is less of a threat when a person is on the ground there is less motion giving the cop more control over the situation to arrest without fear of getting hurt themselves.

Answer 7

What is "dumb" about it?

The whole point is to control the suspects or innocent bystanders.

Spread eagle on the ground face down with arms out and palms out is the best and safest way to secure someone.

Answer 8

The only -not dumb, but ignorant- ones would be those who did not understand that "get on the ground" refers to the floor.

Answer 9

Not stupid its to protect the police from the criminal firing at them or taking other aggressive steps that might jeopardize the safety of the officers. This is to basically show the criminal has given up and it makes it easier for the police to search them.

Answer 10

"Get on the ground" means drop to the floor where ever you are.

It is an easy to understand command that is design to get compliance and submission on the part of the suspect.

Why do you choose to have difficulty understanding this semantic?