2 Humped Camel Posted December 4, 2014 Author Share Posted December 4, 2014 I would never be cut out to be a cop, because I couldn't ever have the mindset of "shoot first, ask questions later." I agree, based on the officer's report in this case his gun was already drawn on the suspect. I'm not sure why you wouldn't back up and wait to actually see a handle of a gun or knife before killing someone. I thought officers where trained to diffuse these situations. Isn't there an adage about an average citizen's interaction with police is likely to be one of the worst days of their lives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Scribe Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 I'm not part of the discussion because there is only so much arm-chair quarterbacking I can read. One problem is, you don't read or hear about officers ambushed on traffic stops because of weapons hidden on the suspect. That's part of the cop's job. He/she knows the risk of danger when they sign up to be a police officer. It's when the officer does their job (right or wrong) that everyone wants to second guess why the officer did not do something different. We can play the what if game all day long. What if Michael Brown's parents raised him not to rob or steal? What if he had obeyed the officer's LAWFUL order to get out of the street? And so on and so on. You can question the officer's training all day long. But until you are faced with the option of what level of force to use on someone who is obviously resisting arrest, don't suggest a course of action (such as requiring the suspect to show a weapon before the police can act) that will result in many deaths of police officers. Unless of course, you have first-hand experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDeuce Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 So then we should just all shut up then? Got it... I thought this was a message board. I didn't know you had to graduate from the academy to comment. My bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halfback20 Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 Let me rephrase then. Shooting someone would never be my first instinct. Even if I was thinking, "Don't die." It appears he tried fighting with the guy first, even once he thought he felt a gun, if that is true. So shooting was not his first instinct. Regardless, it sucks for all parties. It sucks that a guy died over some pills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDeuce Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 Regardless, it sucks for all parties. It sucks that a guy died over some pills. Agreed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 Humped Camel Posted December 4, 2014 Author Share Posted December 4, 2014 I'm not part of the discussion because there is only so much arm-chair quarterbacking I can read. One problem is, you don't read or hear about officers ambushed on traffic stops because of weapons hidden on the suspect. That's part of the cop's job. He/she knows the risk of danger when they sign up to be a police officer. It's when the officer does their job (right or wrong) that everyone wants to second guess why the officer did not do something different. We can play the what if game all day long. What if Michael Brown's parents raised him not to rob or steal? What if he had obeyed the officer's LAWFUL order to get out of the street? And so on and so on. You can question the officer's training all day long. But until you are faced with the option of what level of force to use on someone who is obviously resisting arrest, don't suggest a course of action (such as requiring the suspect to show a weapon before the police can act) that will result in many deaths of police officers. Unless of course, you have first-hand experience. Whatever the answer is, which is a combination of all the things listed and some LE reforms, I as a citizen feel that the state needs a bigger burden than the officer felt threatened. I as a regular citizen cannot kill someone because I felt threatened the same should be true for the State. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcpapa Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 I'd forgotten about tasers. Don't... ,,,never mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halfback20 Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 Whatever the answer is, which is a combination of all the things listed and some LE reforms, I as a citizen feel that the state needs a bigger burden than the officer felt threatened. I as a regular citizen cannot kill someone because I felt threatened the same should be true for the State. Regular citizens aren't tasked with arresting drug dealers, violent criminals, murderers, rapists, etc. Regular citizens can defend themselves though if they feel someone is going to kill them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capt278 Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 I would never be cut out to be a cop, because I couldn't ever have the mindset of "shoot first, ask questions later." I can assure you, that is not the mindset. The last thing any officer wants to do is shoot someone. It's not something done on a whim or because you can. It is done when you are in fear of your own life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumper_Dad Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 A bigger issue may be why so many 20-30 something police officers are so fearful of individuals in the communities that they police. In other words why is the assumption, excluding the Michael Brown case, in so many of these cases that they guy was going to kill me? 45 police officers have been killed by either gunfire or assault this year and 10 more have been ran over and killed by people in cars. I think saying they are "Fearful" is a cheap shot at police officers, shame on you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggclfan Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 What frustrates me is that we have come to point in the US that when a black man is killed by a white cop that we are now assuming two things...(1) the black person is innocent and (2) the cop is racist. In the last 12 month statistics, approximately 120 blacks were killed by white cops. During that same time, approx. 350 whites were killed by white cops...and blacks commit more crimes than whites. It does not seem like white cops are intentionally gunning down black people at all. There are over 300 million people in this country and over 45 million blacks. These death numbers seem very small to me in relation to how many people there are. It is a tragedy when anyone dies but I think people are WAY over reacting - assuming the police are doing wrong when in fact, for the most part they are doing great - not perfect but very good... Remember, there are some really bad people out there and we need the cops to protect us... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spindoc Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 Let me rephrase then. Shooting someone would never be my first instinct. Even if I was thinking, "Don't die." Brother, that's my very first instinct if I feel my life is in danger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumper_Dad Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 Whatever the answer is, which is a combination of all the things listed and some LE reforms, I as a citizen feel that the state needs a bigger burden than the officer felt threatened. I as a regular citizen cannot kill someone because I felt threatened the same should be true for the State. If you can show there was a threat that you or others were going to be harmed or killed you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bballfamily Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 I tend to agree but not following a police officers orders is not a capital offense, at least until recently. Not following orders and charging an officer are two different situations. Being disagreeable will not get you shot, but acting in an aggressive manner may get you shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capt278 Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 I tend to agree but not following a police officers orders is not a capital offense, at least until recently. Oh look, he made a funny. :ohbrother: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts