10-31-2015, 05:39 PM
I'm not among the anti-cop crowd, Six.
But I do think cops are entitled to and deserve more training in how to handle situations where a suspicious or erratic subject is not posing a threat to any hostage or bystander. That would benefit the cops and the public, in my opinion.
I don't think 'shoot to kill' should be the first course of action, backed by a fool-proof "I feared for my life" defense.
In the case of Anthony Hill, for example, maybe the cop could have maintained a further distance on approach and started a dialogue. Then he might have had time to have his taser ready if the unarmed subject lunged at him, or maybe he could have convinced Hill to surrender if he had specific training in dealing with the clearly mentally disturbed.
It seems more non lethal training of that sort is on the horizon. I think that's a good thing.
But I do think cops are entitled to and deserve more training in how to handle situations where a suspicious or erratic subject is not posing a threat to any hostage or bystander. That would benefit the cops and the public, in my opinion.
I don't think 'shoot to kill' should be the first course of action, backed by a fool-proof "I feared for my life" defense.
In the case of Anthony Hill, for example, maybe the cop could have maintained a further distance on approach and started a dialogue. Then he might have had time to have his taser ready if the unarmed subject lunged at him, or maybe he could have convinced Hill to surrender if he had specific training in dealing with the clearly mentally disturbed.
It seems more non lethal training of that sort is on the horizon. I think that's a good thing.