I mean NO DISRESPECT for any FBI agent involved. It turned into utter chaos and ALL of those agents were brave and honorable. Who knew that Grogan, considered the crack shot of the Miami FBI field office would have his glasses fly off making him basically blind? There are many variables that came into play that have people second guessing what happened to this day, including a FBI agent that I sat down with and talked with about this unfortunate incident.
I agree and have no issue with your statements, but I do want to clarify, which wasn't as clear in my post, that I wasn't directing it towards you... just spring boarding off your statement. That kind of is a drawback with posting off Tapatalk, as it isn't as easy to proofread before posting. [emoji856]
As mentioned, I saw a lot of Monday Morning Quartbacking in other threads on that specific subject, and seeing a few posts that seemed to move in that direction, just wanted to post that info out there.
I wasn't L/E in the 1980s, but making judgements on tactics aren't simple when we live in the present. ARs are in the trunks of most squad cars today... not the case back then. As mentioned earlier, most duty weapons were six shot revolvers, opposed to metal double-stack 9mms (Glocks flooded the market a little bit past this). Communication is another thing that we all take for granted, but everyone didn't have a cellphone back then (radio technology has also improved in that time). Also, the agents involved did have other investigations pending, in a pretty bad crime period for that area (not familiar with Miami currently, so might not be that much better). With the size of the stakeout area, there wasn't enough time for all agents to respond.
When it comes down to it, the decision was made to stop the car. The pair did not drive this car around, but hid it when they were going about their normal lives. For them to be in it, they were looking to strike at a bank, so there is a little bit of urgency when the plate was confirmed. Following too close can be brought up, but what would have happened if the group pulled in front of a bank and ran in while waiting for backup (endangering the public, creating a hostage situation)? McNeil passed the car on one of the side streets, seeing Platt loading the Mini-14. That was after it was clear that they were aware of the FBI following them. Right or wrong, if I was in the same situation, I'd have made the same call... especially knowing how violent those two individuals were (the car they were driving was stolen from a guy they shot and left for dead in the everglades). Being off a main highway, if it was to go down, you rather it happen there.
Any car stop can be textbook, or it can get as ape-s*** as this did. Can also be someone in between. No real way to know until after the fact. But training and looking at past instances is what can prepare people for the future. What I took from that shootout...
-carry a backup gun (I always do when working)
-don't unholster while driving
-have spare glasses/system to retain them (I wear contacts, but have a spare set of glasses)
-keep extra ammo (I don't carry more than two magazines for my sidearm, but I do have at least one reload for my backup; in my shift bag, I usually keep three magazines and three reloads for my backup)
-be able to function one handed (one step further, weak handed)