quote Originally posted by James Wall: So, what I'm getting from this is that you are under the impression that all police officers are members of some Good Ol' Boys club who just joined the police to go out there and shoot people randomly.

You may not believe that to be true but IMHO that is the case more often than not.
Though I will agree that SOME join the force to help but there are others who join because they want the power. You can't deny the fact that (you) they are are part of "The Blue Line" Or as I affectionatly call it the fraterity of "Jackboot Thugs".

Protect and Serve ( your own and yourself )

What are you Serpico?
Thats what gets said IF you don't "play along" with the others in the Jackboot Fraternity.

quote Originally posted by cliffw: Compton California. Ten Deputies loose about 95 rounds at an unarmed suspect. In a residential area. Area homes riddled with bullets. One Deputy hit by friendly(?) fire. Deputies confirm suspect was unarmed and back off reports that suspect drove his vehicle at the officers.

120 plus shots fired, five different homes hit.

I've been reading this thread and it's staying pretty civil even though I can tell the emotions are running high. I don't have an opinion on this specific incident. All I know about it is what I read here. That said, in general terms, if there is a mentally unstable person, wielding an unholstered firearm, refusing to comply with police commands to put down the weapon, although I feel bad for the mentally ill person, I would choose for the officers to err on the side of THEIR safety rather than risk the death of one of their own or an uninvolved bystander (like CliffW).

Sorry if that seems harsh, but the police didn't make that situation happen, the guy carrying the weapon did, and I think we all need to remember that.

John Stricker

quote Originally posted by jstricker: I've been reading this thread and it's staying pretty civil even though I can tell the emotions are running high. I don't have an opinion on this specific incident. All I know about it is what I read here. That said, in general terms, if there is a mentally unstable person, wielding an unholstered firearm, refusing to comply with police commands to put down the weapon, although I feel bad for the mentally ill person, I would choose for the officers to err on the side of THEIR safety rather than risk the death of one of their own or an uninvolved bystander (like CliffW). Sorry if that seems harsh, but the police didn't make that situation happen, the guy carrying the weapon did, and I think we all need to remember that. John Stricker

Common Sense Explained.^

quote Originally posted by cliffw: 120 plus shots fired, five different homes hit.

and only 4 shots hit the fleeing CRIMINAL. Great police work.

Sorry, I've been working late and sleeping and that's about it. I've just caught up on the reading. Does anyone have a news link on the Compton shooting. I heard about it at work yesterday and I've been looking for the story.

Now, there is a shooting (from what I've heard) that deserves the kind of response I've seen here from what I've heard about it....officers respond to a Loud Music call, no report of a gun, an officer claims to have heard a gunshot and opens fire on the car, other officers follow suit. 90+ shots fired, approximately 30 hit the car, 3 hit the suspect, 1 hits another officer. Suspect was unarmed and luckily lived through it. As I said, this is just what I've heard second hand, I have no more (and likely less) information on this than others. But this is a story that seems much less deserving of benefit of the doubt.

84Bill, yes, you are entitled to your opinion. I try to believe that officers are interested in helping, protecting, and serving. I got a reminder of that the other day. I have a tendency to get a little jaded about our "customers", I made a snide comment about a drunk driver, and the officer that arrested him reminded me that he was just a guy that made a mistake. I felt about an inch tall.

Maryjane, as to the sex in public story, well, if it comes out that what was described is the case, then yes, I hope they do heavy punishment their crime deserves.

Stricker, yeah, I'm glad the thread's responses have been well thought out and civil. I'd like to say thank you to everyone for making this a really good discussion.

Once more, if someone could post a link to the Compton story, I'd appreciate it.

Sorry James, I can't find one. Hard to believe because I linked and read about it. Let me see if I can pull it up from "history". I did not link it here because it was not on topic for this particular incident and I was not trying to fuel an argument in genreral, nor this incident. I just found it related to my feelings.

quote Originally posted by jstricker: I've been reading this thread and it's staying pretty civil even though I can tell the emotions are running high.

quote Originally posted by James Wall: Stricker, yeah, I'm glad the thread's responses have been well thought out and civil. I'd like to say thank you to everyone for making this a really good discussion.

I also appreciate everyone discussing this in a benifitial manner. I am not of the opinion that the officer here in Kerrville necessarily should have been charged but......I do believe he shot the suspect unnecissarily. Certainly a reprimand from his chief and mistakes are allowed to be recognized. I also believe that circumspection of any police force is helpful in having the very best force we can have.