[Mulder]

On the street, I was told to yell, "Please, back off" as loud as possible. The emphasis was on the word "Please" because in a stressful situation, it could be interpreted by others as "Police". Any little edge helps.

I've read that advice also, and don't think it's a good idea for the following reasons:

1) What if bystanders think you said "police", and now you have the cops asking you why you identified yourself as a police officer?

2) Fine motor skills supposedly don't work well in a high-stress situation. Instead of trying to say "please", instead of "police", I'd be yelling simple words, like "stop", and maybe some other 4-letter ones.

3) Perps are more afraid of armed citizens than police. They know that the police have to follow all kinds of rules with respect to the use of force, and that the police have tools (pepper spray, baton, etc...) to deal with escalating force. While the armed citizen typically has only a gun.

[Shooter 2.5]

The person who gave the advise is a police officer. He's an instructor for Jeff Cooper.

The advise was given so that the others would think I had yelled "police". That was the edge that I was writing about. You can always explain the why and reasons to the officers at the scene.

The most stupid and ignorant advice suddenly becomes brilliant if it works. And vice versa.