Quote:
Originally Posted by fng13
I know the objection will be raised that because he thought himself or his partners life was threatened that he isn't guilty. I offer this, if I were to use deadly force because I thought it was necessary and was wrong it is unlikely that I would not be found guilty of a crime. Police should be held to atleast the same standard as I am. I am not saying that I don't understand why the officer opened fire nor am I saying that in that situation I wouldn't do the same thing. However, simply because it was a tough situation that turned out bad does not obsolve the partys involved of wrong doing IMHO.
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When was the last time you were in a similar situation as a sworn peace officer?
You will NOT be held to the same standard as a peace officer because you are not one, nor have you received the same training, nor acting in the same capacity. Most states have laws that govern the use of force that are
specific to Police Officer's acting in
official capacity. Arizona has multiple coded laws that pertain to Officer's use of force not to mention many departmental policies as well. And every one is for a peace officer while acting in his or her official capacity. As such unless you are a peace officer acting in that capacity no use of force will be held to the same standard as a civilians use of force. That is like comparing apples to oranges.
Because if you (as a citizen) chased an individual for several miles in your personal vehicle then shot him, you would probably go to prison for 1st degree murder.
Make no mistake an officers use of force will be heavily scrutinized on multiple levels where as a civilians will only be scrutinized on two: criminal law and civil law.