Lockpicking in Law Enforcement and Millitary

[TheSkyer]

Dear friends,


Being a military man I noticed that even though it's not a skill I abundantly use I have profited from being to able to pick a lock. I'm going into the details (why, when and where) but it sure has had it's uses (all legit).

In the military we don't spend any time in training / developing a skill like this and I was wondering how police / swat tackle this subject. If you have to believe the video games and movies every SWAT officers can pick any lock using a leatherman or a screwdriver (old rainbow six games are a nice example).

I'm personally think it would be a good skill for at least soldiers / law enforcers to develop, let's say 1 per squad / unit. What do you think and does anyone have any "inside knowledge" (which they can freely discus) on the matter

[deception]

Being a prior service Marine, I have to say the emphasis was really nil at least in my unit with lock picking. It was almost always destructive entry for us. However I could see how it would have benefited and it would have been a very useful skill.

That being said, I have a couple of friends in law enforcement now, and they have all said that their basic training did include a small portion of how to pick locks. They said it wasn't very in depth though, so I have no idea how useful it would even end up being for them.

[chriswingate]

Likewise being a former Marine grunt, we had zero use for covert entry like that. If we had to get in past a locked gate or door we'd sling a donut charge over the padlock or if it was a big wall, throw up some panel charges.

I could see how it might be necessary for certain special forces applications, definitely more so in law enforcement I'm sure.

[TheSkyer]

Being a dutch marine I do agree that force is often the way of army, however we have had covert operations where a skill like lock picking would be a great asset.

As you say however I would deffinatly see the value for a SWAT team, as they do allot of cover entry as well. I'm wondering if they train these fellows in the use of lock pick equipment (even if it's just an electric pick). Would seem like a good idea....

Than again, I'm surprised how many things are skipped in basic training. For example I always take care of my army issue knife as if my life depends on it, I clean it, sharpen it and oil it at least once a month. My knife is in TOP condition wherever I go. Not because it's such and awesome means of defense but because of the the sheer amount of uses a good sharp knife has. However I seem to be the only one in my squad who cares about that kind of detail, my buddies knives are covered in muck and grime and most of them can't even get them open without a fair amount of force.

Anyway, back on topic XD Personally I do see some good ways of applying lock picking skills in both military and law enforcement scenarios.

[deception]

I see picking less used in the military, more so for special forces, and covert teams.

Law Enforcement, I could see some very good practical applications of lock picking in SWAT. I think most of the time they just kick down the door though.

[TheSkyer]

I believe so to, I'm just thinking that the basics could be learned with some hours of training. I don't believe these guys should invest weeks into developing skills with a lock pick set but I was thinking more like an electric / manual pick gun, shims, flexibel cards joggers, pick combs, bump keys etc etc.

[Scope]

I'm sure they would already train special forces/covert ops teams for this type of entry if it helped in any mission, I would like to think that if they needed to gain entry to any door without any issues, would they not just ask CIA/MI5 to send an agent to get a key, or just kick the door in? Rather than take unnecessary time to get your kit out and play with locks that could take too much time in a covert mission that could be very important.

You marines/spec ops guys have some of the best government training available, if this was needed, you would get it plain & simple, otherwise why not just take a locksmith with you?

See my point.

Just my view....

[deception]

I figure in most SWAT situations with building hold-ups etc, they probably can look up the locksmith who did the work, and he could give them the master key, or something.

They seem to have everything else they need at hand, blueprints, access to whatever buildings, etc.

[Scope]

For example I always take care of my army issue knife as if my life depends on it, I clean it, sharpen it and oil it at least once a month. My knife is in TOP condition wherever I go. Not because it's such and awesome means of defense but because of the the sheer amount of uses a good sharp knife has. However I seem to be the only one in my squad who cares about that kind of detail, my buddies knives are covered in muck and grime and most of them can't even get them open without a fair amount of force.

That is normally rule number 1 in the Army is it not?-always look after your kit & it will serve you well, well that what was drilled into my head over and over. Oh dear back to the 5 P's!!

You paid attention though and it will save your life one day. (thats if it hasn't already). Did you not tell your instructors/DS/CO to remind your battle buddies of this importance?

[TheSkyer]

I agree with you, I take the utmost care of my kit to the smallest detail, not just because I'm told so but because I see the value of keeping my kit in order. Anyhow, this maybe more out of principle and habit than actually necessity (I've been in the army for a while and I am currently not engaged in any combat situation, my kit is not in use).

In my eyes we are all grown men and people need to decide how, when and where they take care of their own responsibilities (I'm not their nanny). Besides that these are men I work with on a daily base in some rather complicated environments and situations. They need to be able to trust me and ratting them out to a superior for not maintaining their knife properly is not a great way to instill trust one another.

Anyhow, it's complicated XD

[Scope]

(I'm not their nanny).

-I agree

Besides that these are men I work with on a daily base in some rather complicated environments and situations. They need to be able to trust me and ratting them out to a superior for not maintaining their knife properly is not a great way to instill trust one another.

Going off lines for a small amount of post:

Guy points pistol @ another actor in film, firing pin goes "click"- (famous quote: You failed to maintain your weapon son!)-Google that & u'll see the film caption. They should watch that.

We would always insure our kit was fully maintained at all times where practical, we would be spot checked at times to ensure we had, bad times when we didn't......Kit check @ 07:30.

Sgt instructor- very angry and shouts @ one person is the line "Wat on earth do they look like, your mess tins are a right state! then calmly says:

"u'll get everything known to man if you eat out of them". (mess tins are snatched from that person & thrown @ some distance into the long grass!) I'll never forget that....

This is now going off the rails of the original post-sorry.