Talk:Police: Difference between revisions
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== Weapons == | |||
I'm not sure I'd really consider taser misuse to be a major issue in the U.S., certainly in comparison with deadly force. To complicate the latter, there are "arms race" situations, exemplified by a pair of Los Angeles bank robbers that wore bullet-resistant vests and carried automatic rifles. (no, not "assault rifles"). There is also a huge discussion about high-speed car chases in less than life-and-death situations, which frequently get out of control. | |||
More than the weapons is the issue of training. I've known police that do no more than fire their annual or semi-annual target qualification, and never touch their guns. In contrast, a high-quality hostage rescue member may fire a hundred rounds a day, in a stress training environment where constant decisions have to be made if a given person is a threat or an innocent. Many, if not most, U.S. police shootings take place at a range of a few feet, often with both parties missing each other. | |||
There are both philosophical and operational questions about the use of guns. Warning shots rarely make a difference. The FBI used to have the rule, "never draw your weapon unless you intend to fire; never fire unless you intend to kill." In the antiterrorist role, once the decision is made to fire on a potential suicide bomber, the reality is that overkill is necessary to prevent triggering a device. [[User:Howard C. Berkowitz|Howard C. Berkowitz]] 01:08, 25 June 2009 (UTC) | |||
Revision as of 19:08, 24 June 2009
Weapons
I'm not sure I'd really consider taser misuse to be a major issue in the U.S., certainly in comparison with deadly force. To complicate the latter, there are "arms race" situations, exemplified by a pair of Los Angeles bank robbers that wore bullet-resistant vests and carried automatic rifles. (no, not "assault rifles"). There is also a huge discussion about high-speed car chases in less than life-and-death situations, which frequently get out of control.
More than the weapons is the issue of training. I've known police that do no more than fire their annual or semi-annual target qualification, and never touch their guns. In contrast, a high-quality hostage rescue member may fire a hundred rounds a day, in a stress training environment where constant decisions have to be made if a given person is a threat or an innocent. Many, if not most, U.S. police shootings take place at a range of a few feet, often with both parties missing each other.
There are both philosophical and operational questions about the use of guns. Warning shots rarely make a difference. The FBI used to have the rule, "never draw your weapon unless you intend to fire; never fire unless you intend to kill." In the antiterrorist role, once the decision is made to fire on a potential suicide bomber, the reality is that overkill is necessary to prevent triggering a device. Howard C. Berkowitz 01:08, 25 June 2009 (UTC)