Quote:
Originally Posted by Smokin Joe
I didn't take it the wrong way. I took your words at face value.
But honestly, when do citizens have to chase down bad guys and take them into custody? I understand your point, and your expectation however their is a huge difference between an OIS an a civilian shooting. Furthermore, if officers were not afforded the protection by specific statutes then every time they pointed a gun at someone it would be a Felony! Ultimately just about every officer would be out of a job and be a convicted felony probably before they got off FTO.
The laws are in place for a reason and they are applicable. If they did not exist and officers UOF was evaluated at the same standard in which a typical civilians UOF was evaluated. No one would be an LEO.... well probably no one who you would want being an LEO...
Just my .02 cents
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I think there is a big difference between drawing a weapon and killing someone. Allowing officers to draw without there necessarilly being enough evidence to open fire is not comparable to protecting officers who mistakenly open fire.
I don't think there is a defenseable position for protecting officers who wrongfully kill someone. I understand that it was a mistake, but it still cost someone their life.
At the very least, it should be an automatic career ender.
Again I understand its a serious job, and sometimes bad shit happens. While that is true, that doesn't take away responsibility for those involved at least it shouldn't.
I also don't understand your argument against holding the police to the standards you would hold a citizen to, at least in this sense. I want the police to
actually have to be sure of what they are shooting at before they start sending bullets down range. Knowing that if they make the wrong call there is going to be real consequences. This seems fair. If people don't want to live to that standard then I don't want them to be police officers. Because what if its me or someone I know who the officer mistakenly shooting at.
(I know in this instance the kid was running from the cops, but that isn't the case in all mistaken shootings, and running from the cops does not warrent death).