If Armed police officer's see an innocent member/s of the public in the company of a wanted person or member's of the public in the exact same place as a wanted criminal what do they have to do in regards to the law?
2006-12-28 10:43:15 · 9 answers · asked by ASHERS 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
A police officer is obliged to approach the wanted individual, but must make the judgement call as to whether he should first call for backup. Once his own safety and that of the public is secured, he can then move in to detain/arrest the subject. An experienced officer knows to simply isolate the subject first, before making any indication that he is there to make an arrest.
As for "innocent" members of the public, it depends on what exactly you mean. Is the subject standing in the middle of a crowded mall? Is she a daycare worker, surrounded by children? Is he holding his infant or standing next to his pregnant wife? Circumstances like that make it much more difficult for an officer to approach a subject, because of the possibility that the wanted individual will turn violent and/or take hostages.
2006-12-28 10:49:15 · answer #1 · answered by someyoungguy123 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know what the law says.
In such circumstances, I don't think the law is important. You do whatever is necessary to protect yourself, and any innocent members of the public.
I think that if a police officer is armed, he/she will have gone through sufficient training to realise that it is their judgement which will be the judgement which matters in the life and death situation. The judgement of a court of law, after the fact, could only rule on gross misconduct. It would serve no purpose to prosecute if the judgement under the same set of circumstances would be the same.
Minor details of law would become irrelevant.
I suspect they would have to give a verbal warning loud enough, before any shooting could commence. Unless, in giving such a warning, lives would be put at risk.
Isaac Asimov's three laws of robotics has similar paradoxes.
2006-12-28 19:13:51 · answer #2 · answered by James 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In regards to procedure, anyone with a known criminal will be detained and questioned to verify they aren't also one of the bad guys.
In most cases (if it isn't a violent situation and both are apprehended without conflict) it's a simple matter of a few direct questions and running their name and license to verify if they have a criminal record or outstanding warrants
2006-12-28 18:47:00 · answer #3 · answered by JC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What if the person is carrying a table leg or looks like a suicide bomber? Does that change the rules???
2006-12-28 19:23:04 · answer #4 · answered by checkmate 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they can run both of your ID's and if you are wanted u will go too, or (innocent member)
2006-12-28 18:45:07 · answer #5 · answered by rhino_man420 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
wait for a clear opportunity to take the wanted person into custody
2006-12-28 18:46:20 · answer #6 · answered by me2 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They need to search you and the person to make sure they didn't hand you anything. They need to arrest him or her and harrass you til your head explodes.
2006-12-28 18:45:28 · answer #7 · answered by George B 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
hook you up for aiding and abetting
2006-12-29 15:15:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
nothing
2006-12-28 18:44:49 · answer #9 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋