Police shootings

[deucedaddy]

So there has been yet another incident of a cop killing someone. While I have no doubt that the job of a cop can be tough, why dont they ever just shoot in the leg or something?
We dont need to see the news to know what happens next: paid leave and then found innocent.
What are your thoughts?

 

[David Beckham 23]

Cops are trained to shoot for the biggest target, which is the chest.They don't have time for trick shooting.

 

[The Bandit]

Don't blame the cops. Blame the civilian for creating the incident in the first place. If all were abiding citizens like most of us, we wouldn't need many cops, and their safety wouldn't be in jeopardy.

 

[baltimoron]

Non-lethal weapons

There is quite a bit of research going into non-lethal weapons such as foam, rubber bullets, gases, etc.

http://www.au.af.mil/au/aul/bibs/soft/nonlethal.htm

Tasers seem to be the most commonly used.

The problem with these so far is that none of them are very effective against a suspect who could be whacked out on PCP and unable to feel much of anything.

 

[papasmerf]

Nothing screams ignorant more then wondering why cops shoot back and actualy kill armed suspects. Ask the armed perp if they would mind just winging the cops, so as not to cause major injuries.

 

[fuji]

Nothing screams ignorant more then wondering why cops shoot back and actualy kill armed suspects. Ask the armed perp if they would mind just winging the cops, so as not to cause major injuries.

I do agree with all the above: Generally, cops shoot people for a good reason. If you don't want to get shot, don't fight with the police, etc.

That said I bet what is really troubling people here, and may even be what actually motivated the initial comment, is that there is not enough oversight of the police. Whenever any politician tries to impose stricter civilian oversight of the police the police union cries foul.

It's my opinion that anyone in this country with the authorization to kill people needs absolutely the strictest, strongest levels of civilian oversight. I don't think we have that, and I think that has led to unwarranted levels of corruption in the police, including at the federal level (RCMP) and in many municipalities.

There is, at a minimum, the perception that the police act with near impunity. In and of itself that mere perception is utterly unacceptable. We have a right to KNOW that there are due processes in place, which are overseen by civilians and not by insiders.

 

[papasmerf]

I do agree with all the above: Generally, cops shoot people for a good reason. If you don't want to get shot, don't fight with the police, etc.

That said I bet what is really troubling people here, and may even be what actually motivated the initial comment, is that there is not enough oversight of the police. Whenever any politician tries to impose stricter civilian oversight of the police the police union cries foul.

It's my opinion that anyone in this country with the authorization to kill people needs absolutely the strictest, strongest levels of civilian oversight. I don't think we have that, and I think that has led to unwarranted levels of corruption in the police, including at the federal level (RCMP) and in many municipalities.

There is, at a minimum, the perception that the police act with near impunity. In and of itself that mere perception is utterly unacceptable. We have a right to KNOW that there are due processes in place, which are overseen by civilians and not by insiders.

When in the field would you have officers radio in for permission to shot, from the mayor? Or would yu protect the badges that protect you?

Were drawn on I would shot first. No question I would find this to be acceptable as to being shot while waiting for the green light to fire.

 

[booboobear]

Don't blame the cops. Blame the civilian for creating the incident in the first place. If all were abiding citizens like most of us, we wouldn't need many cops, and their safety wouldn't be in jeopardy.

If their safety was never in jeopardy their pay would be cut in half.
Think about how many jobs criminals create from cops to lawyers to court personnel , judges clerks etc.

 

[C Dick]

As long as they are shooting bad people, I have no problem with it. The recent case seems to be a case of bad people, if the facts were reported accurately. This case seems to be clearly bad people, so fine.

It is more troubling when they shoot crazy people, who were none the less threatening someone. Even then, I don't think there is much option, unless they are in a position to attempt to use tasers or something.

It is really a problem when they shoot basically innocent people by mistake. Even worse when it appears that the victim's race made a difference. There was a case a few years ago where a woman was shot and paralyzed. She was riding in a stolen car, but she did not steal it and apparently did not even know it was stolen. That kind of thing is not good, but it does not seem to happen too often in Toronto.

As long as they are only killing bad people of any race, it is ok with me.

 

[Keebler Elf]

I have no problem with the police using deadly force when necessary. However, every such incident should be investigated by an independent agency to ensure that the killing was justified.

In other words, the system we have right now with the SIU.

 

[deucedaddy]

Nothing screams ignorant more then wondering why cops shoot back and actualy kill armed suspects. Ask the armed perp if they would mind just winging the cops, so as not to cause major injuries.

Who said anything about the suspect being armed. Nothing screams ignorant more than a know it all telling you that you dont have the right to ask peoples' opinion. It was just a question, Im new to the board relax man.

 

[WhaWhaWha]

Considering this was the summer of the gun I am not surprised to see cops more prone to using their firearms than ever before. Its only a matter of time before some innocent kids pays the price and anti gun nuts and police haters can wring their hands once more.

 

[CTSblues]

All societies have pecking orders. In this one, doctors and lawyers are at the top of pecking order for professions, and police and firefighters are at the top for blue-collar workers. These folks can do almost no wrong.

I am watching with interest the work-to-rule campaign of the Toronto Police Union and comparing that to the teachers' strike in BC. As a betting man, I have to favour the chances of the police here any day of the week.

The lesson for the young is to try for medicine or law if you are really bright and ambitious; otherwise, aim for law enforcement or firefighting right out of high school. You can not go wrong.