The Police: DUE RESPECT!

[GLASNOST]

You know, it's become much too popular to criticise the police any time an officer dispatches his/her firearm whilst in the line of duty. I honestly do not believe that the average citizen realizes just what a difficult job the police have and how dangerous their line of work really is.

When a suspect raises his hands it is extremely difficult to ascertain whether or not the alleged criminal is giving an officer 'the finger'. In the event the police officer is white and the suspect is black, the risk factor increases by 7 whole points, according to the ASOGI - American Scale of Obscene Gesture Index. With adrenaline pumping at its peak, it is often a matter of a split second decision that MUST be made by the law enforcement officer on-the-scene. It is of paramount importance, therefore, to neutralize the offensive appendage as quickly as possible in order to minimize the possibility of under-aged citizens coming into view and inhibiting their moral development. My motto has always been, 'When in doubt – shoot!' It's much better to be on the safe side.

If you agree, don't forget to give me a 'thumb's up'.

 

[TheOldSchool]

The safest route is to shoot until the suspect is fully neutralized, and only then to try to determine what was going on in the situation.

 

[MikeK]

The safest route is to shoot until the suspect is fully neutralized, and only then to try to determine what was going on in the situation.

This reasoning is one example of why police agencies (which can afford it) subject candidates for the job to a psychological evaluation.

 

[waltky]

When the cops pull ya over - leave the gun in the car no matter what yer color...

Video Shows Fatally Shot Suspect Holding Gun
October 4, 2016 - Los Angeles police released a security video of the chase that lead up to the fatal police shooting of 18-year-old Carnell Snell Jr. over the weekend.

Los Angeles police released a security video of the chase that lead up to the fatal police shooting of an 18-year-old in South L.A. over the weekend. The video shows a young man in a blue sweatshirt, who police say is Carnell Snell Jr., running through a strip mall and behind parked vehicles holding what appears to be a handgun in his left hand. The young man then crouches and appears to tuck the handgun into his sweatpants before running away from the camera. Moments later, a police officer is seen running in Snell's direction.

Police Chief Charlie Beck told The Times that he and Mayor Eric Garcetti spoke at length about the issue and decided to release the video to correct what the chief described as competing accounts about Saturday's shooting. "My huge concern is that the dueling narratives further divide the community," Beck said. The tape was taken from a nearby business, and Beck said the recording shows Snell running with a gun in his hand. Many residents have questioned the police account, including whether Snell had a gun.

The tape's release comes as the LAPD is trying to quell protests sparked by the shooting of Snell, who was killed on 107th Street. A day later, police fatally shot another man in South L.A. Beck, along with other law enforcement leaders, has said he generally opposes releasing body camera footage, expressing concerns about violating privacy and possibly interfering with investigations. But amid growing scrutiny of police shootings, law enforcement agencies are under pressure to release videos of deadly encounters. Last week, officials in San Diego County originally said they would not immediately release video of a fatal shooting by El Cajon police, but they reversed course after days of protests. Police in Charlotte, N.C., released footage of a fatal shooting there amid protests.

The shooting of Snell became the latest local touchstone in the national debate about policing and how officers use force, particularly against African Americans. Beck told reporters Monday that officers were working near 108th Street and Western Avenue about 1 p.m. when they spotted a light blue Nissan that had paper plates. The plates didn't match the year of the car, Beck said, causing officers to think it may have been stolen. As the officers watched the vehicle, Snell, sitting in the back seat, looked toward them, then ducked "as if to hide from them," Beck said. He said officers started to follow the car, which slowed down. As officers activated their lights and sirens, he said, the car slowed more and Snell got out, "holding his waistband as if he was supporting something."

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