Lessons in Command and Control from the Los Angeles Riots

Police officers responded to a domestic dispute, accompanied by marines. They had just gone up to the door when two shotgun birdshot rounds were fired through the door, hitting the officers. One yelled `cover me!' to the marines, who then laid down a heavy base of fire.. .. The police officer had not meant `shoot' when he yelled `cover me' to the marines. [He] meant. .. point your weapons and be prepared to respond if necessary. However, the marines responded instantly in the precise way they had been trained, where `cover me' means provide me with cover using firepower.. .. over two hundred bullets [were] fired into that house.