Do we need police training reform?

[Irene]

My reply is that I have a serious problem with shooting children.

Good night.

[astr0144]

I suspect most people would feel the same.

I was just referring the comments that you had about your experiences at using a stick to maybe sort out similar situations.

Each situation can be different, but  upon On looking at the video of that particular incident... when there are lots of other children around in a School like environment...

I think if someone who did confront the person... that they would have to try to separate them from others...if that were possible..
and then try to talk to them and calm them down...as long as they were not trying them to attack them outright...

if they could not separate them...from the other surrounding people...and seem to be able calm them down, then some may believe that their only option would be to have to take more serious instant action..

In that case the Police shot him and wounded him and at least did not kill him...but was that seen as being the right thing to do at the time or within the given situation ?

but whether or not they could have used a stick like weapon, I think would depend upon that Policeman's abilities and actions as he viewed them ...and if maybe he thought that he was under direct attack..or if others were under threat... then he may have to use firearms..

My reply is that I have a serious problem with shooting children.

Good night.

[The Seeker]

My reply is that I have a serious problem with shooting children.

Good night.

As a general rule of thumb I agree  about children and most people; It depends on the circumstances and each situation; without knowing all the facts it is difficult to express more than a supposition or opinion...

At this point I can neither condemn or condone the actions of that officer
I just hope he made the right decision

Seeker

[Sgt.Rocknroll]

A 14 year old can kill ya just as easy as 21 year old....cop ended it...pure and simple.....

[robomont]

i know weve been ruff on you cop guys and gals,but im glad these issues are being brought up and confronted.its nice to see honest  and open debate.its what makes pegasus rise above the other forums.
to irene,as you are newish,please dont take this thread to heart,we can get intense,but at the end of the day,we all learn and benefit from the differing points of view.i for one want to say thankyou to you and sarge.

[rdunk]

To the point!!

[zorgon]

My reply is that I have a serious problem with shooting children.

I suppose the definition of 'child' becomes an issue

In today's world we send 18 year olds to fight in a war, but they cannot have a drink in a bar or drive a car (in many states now) until they are 21..

back in Medieval times a Knight was 12 years old


But look at the rest of the world today....

HAMAS kids in training



Palestinian Childrens Army





Hezbolah Lebenon



North Korean kids training



Taliban Child Training Camps





Jewish Settlers in Gaza teaching their kids



SERIOUSLY?



The Congo



Somalia



Pakistan



Marching children in Lahore, Pakistan




Chicago



Just playing...




Just google "kid's with Guns"

But don't worry obama assures us that the older 'refugees' are harmless 

[astr0144]

Looking at all those countries that show such young Children carrying arms...makes us so lucky that generally the western World does not have such issues.

One other point in ref to the video and the School kid with the Knife who was shot by the Police in the USA...

I am not sure if the USA Police could have also had other options such as what we have in the UK...where they have used Tasers or maybe could have used Rubber Bullets or stun guns.. that I would think could have resolved the situation as opposed to firearms wounding....


There have however been some concerns recently , where I believe tasers have caused severe harm to people (sometimes heart attacks or some similar effects) who have been  targeted by them..

[petrus4]

What has changed is that the population has increased and become more violent and defiant.

I don't just blame the hippies, Irene.  I think a big part of the reason for the increase in public defiance, is probably more due to the fact that, according to pretty much every poll I've seen, the American public no longer believe that the government fundamentally acts in their best interests.  While some of my comments here have not been sympathetic towards the police, I want you to know that I do feel genuinely empathy towards them where that is concerned, because they are the proverbial meat in the sandwich.

I think one of the things which cops really need to do, in order to try and regain public trust, however, is refuse to act as corporate mercenaries in situations like the mess at Standing Rock.  Arguments between corporations and the public should primarily be civil issues, not criminal ones; and when police show up at protests armed with batons and tear gas, the only thing they end up doing is making themselves look like Nazis.  It doesn't do any police organisation any good whatsoever, to have the public perceive them in that way.



Imagery like this, is fundamentally inconsistent with the idea of a democratic society.  It conveys an impression of totalitarian fascism; the very type of regime that a lot of people's grandparents died fighting to prevent.  If the public are given reason to view the police in that way, then they are going to feel justified in shooting them. 

Police need to understand that any public, collective show of force costs them a very high price in civilian good will, and therefore to make sure that they only engage in such displays when it is genuinely, crucially necessary to public wellbeing, such as in the case of natural disasters.  Attempting to shield rapacious corporations from public outrage, when said corporations are intent on destroying what is left of this planet's ability to support life, purely in the name of money and their own psychopathy, is not a justifiable cause.

[Shasta56]

Robo is correct that nursing can be dangerous.  I can personally attest to that.  We go into some ugly neighborhoods to provide care.  We aren't seen in the same context as police officers though.  We, to an extent, have power over people's lives, and there are nurses who abuse that power.  We do not, however, overtly carry deadly weapons.  Unless you count the instances of showing a urinary catheter to a post-op man and explaining what will happen if he doesn't pee pretty soon.  But I digress.  Nurses are seen more in a Florence Nightingale context, while police are seen in a more militaristic context.  At least that's been my experience.   Both professions are service professions.  Both professions can chew you up and spit you out.  Both professions are a calling that gets into the blood, and cannot be ignored.

Shasta