July 2024. Blues Vol 40 No.7

GUEST COMENTARY police

GUEST COMENTARY police law news Daniel Carr Unnecessary escalation? Or an impossible situation. On June 12, 2024 a woman called 911 and reported that her son (Jonathon Gounaris) had theatened to commit suicide and homicide. Ogle County, IL deputies were dispatched and attempted to make contact with Mr. Gounaris at his residence. There was no response. A Tactical team (including a crisis negotiator) then arrived on scene and attempted for nearly three hours to make contact with Mr. Gounaris. The deputies called his cell phone as well as a “throw phone” that they lobbed into the residence over fifty times - without success. THE DECISION At this point a decision had to be made: Disengage and leave as no crime had been committed. Enter the residence and force contact with Mr. Gounaris. FACTORS If the allegations/concerns were limited to suicide/selfharm and no one else was inside the residence with the subject - “best practices” nowadays is that law enforcement disengage. I agree that this is usually the best option in these scenarios. But, the report was not only suicide but homicide. This make things far more difficult for police supervisors. WHAT IF? What if… police disengage and 22 The Blues - July ‘24 the family believes that he had committed suicide or is injured and they tell police that they intend to enter the residence on their own as soon as police leave? Police cannot stop them. Knowing this - do police have a duty to ensure that the scene is safe before they leave? or What if… the police disengage and he emerges twenty minutes later and acts on the homicidal threats? or What if… the police enter and find themselves ambushed and in a gun battle? This is an impossible situation for law enforcement to be in. If it doesn’t end perfectly - there is ample space for honest (and dishonest) criticism. USE OF FORCE The decision was made to enter the residence. The deputies forced the door open and were immediately met with gunfire. This f*cker had been waiting. Three deputies were shot and injured. Mr. Gounaris was also shot and injured. CHARGES Jonathon Gounaris now faces 12 criminal charges: 4 counts of Attempted First Degree Murder, 3 counts of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, 3 counts of Aggravated Battery, and 2 counts of Possession of a Firearm Without a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card (FOID). THE INEVITABLE CRITICISM The criticism is, of course, that the deputies unnecessarily escalated the situation. But, we all know, that if the deputies disengaged, and Mr. Gounaris walked over to the local day camp and slaughtered a dozen children - those very same critics would be slamming the cops for being lazy, incompetent, and not “protecting” the community from a known madman. The “safest” thing (both physically and liability-wise) for police to do is disengage. There is no question about that. But, is that the “right” thing? Is that what the public expects from local law enforcement? What I do know is that police leaders and trainers should study this case and craft policy that is cemented with real-life training scenarios - to prepare for when their officers and supervisors are faced with a similar situation. Final Thoughts It is far easier to craft the perfect tactical plan - after an incident has taken place. After watching the body cam footage with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight guiding every move. From a safe space. With no ones life riding on the outcome of decisions. That is policing from a point of privilege. And cops on the street do not have it.

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