Under what circumstances may a police officer discharge his firearm? When you draw the weapon to keep someone from running away, if they do run can you really shoot? When else?
2007-02-17 16:05:41 · 15 answers · asked by germanpilot450 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
When a perpetrator demonstrates the ability, intent, and places them in jeopardy of serious bodily harm or death, or when a known fleeing felon.
2007-02-17 16:09:30 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. US of A, Baby! 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It is the officers sole judgement on when and when not to discharge his or her weapon. I won't say that they should never do something or always should, there is so much grey area that you just can't always or never. For instance, there are instances when and officer would be completely justified in shooting a person in the back that is also handcuffed, it is not likely but it is possible. in this situation if there was a convicted felon who was handcuffed but was using the handcuff to choke someone while pinning them against the ground, that would be justified. Can an officer just shoot someone because they aren't being complancent, no. There has to be an immediate threat to his or her own life or the life of another. Officers, at least at my dept., at NOT trained to shoot someone just to injure them, they are trained that when they discharge their weapon they are going to take a life. The general rule is two shots to the chest and one to the head then evaluate the situation again. Hope this helps.
2007-02-17 18:57:18 · answer #2 · answered by Kacey L 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the officer is in pursuit of a felon, yes. lf the officer communicates to a defendant to freeze, and the offender does not comply, under normal circumstances no, but, keep in mind a police officer has a license to kill, and when given an order try to comply. However, don't trust just any police officer. Because there are a lot of bad as well as good, use you own judgement.
2007-02-17 18:22:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A police officer is ONLY suppose to use deadly force when his life or the life of someone else is in danger from that person. If he/she draws his gun at a fleeing suspect. They are not allowed to shoot. Cause that person is fleeing and not posing a deadly threat at that point in time. This is a very touchy subject. In my opinion. If you are charging at him/her with a vehicle...that's deadly force. If you are shooting at the officer...that is legal reason to use deadly force. If you are charging at him/her with a knife. That is intent to use deadly force and should be dealt with accordingly to the situation. But you'll always have these people in America that don't understand.. Or have never been attacked saying that the cops should never fire a weapon. They are blind and do not know what they face in day to day life.
2007-02-17 16:12:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. As a police, you're not supposed to take a shot unless you have a shot to take. If you shoot 14 times to hit someone once or twice, you didn't have a good angle. Also, cops need to use good judgement. If no one is around, fine, shoot 14 times. But in public where innocent people are everywhere... (shaking my head)
2016-05-24 00:45:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Under the same circumstances that would justify use of deadly force by ANY private citizen. Justified to stop a VIOLENT fleeing felon.
2007-02-17 16:23:31 · answer #6 · answered by Larry W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An officer is permitted to use deadly force when his/her life has been threatened and to prevent a third party from losing their life. You cannot discharge your firearm to prevent someone from fleeing.
2007-02-17 16:12:48 · answer #7 · answered by ajd1bmf 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
;To protect yourself a fellow officer or innocent third party . It depends on the city ,town, or county that the department is located.Some departments will permit thelir officers to fire at a fleeing felon.
2007-02-17 16:18:22 · answer #8 · answered by shawn 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can shoot when the person starts to shoot or run away. The whole runaway part, not all the time you can shoot.
Yes, they can really shoot sometimes.
2007-02-17 16:13:13 · answer #9 · answered by Ju-Ju 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Police can draw their weapons if they fear death to themslves or others.
Protection of life...
2007-02-17 16:59:17 · answer #10 · answered by 911 Gear 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋