With crime and violence rising everywhere, what do you think of the police's "easy trigger" ways?

Question

By this I mean shooting the criminal before taking any chances.

Well, ME, I'm not a native English speaker so "easy trigger" was the only expression I could come up with to define the fact that police officers are sometimes pushed to use their guns.
Don't get so touchy, my dad is a retired policeman and I wish he'd have more freedom to shoot certain individuals in certain situations.
Get a grip, girl!

Ok, my point is that many times police officers (particularly in the US) are accused of "shooting first, then asking", or using violence to reduce a suspect. But on the other hand people moan because they want more security. To me it doesn't make sense, if we want safety, we have to put up with the fact that maybe sometimes gunning a suspect down by mistake is the price to be paid.

Theres's a first time for everything, ME.

I replied to you because I felt you didn't get my point.

Answer 1

Key word you chose to include in your question.
"Criminal"
Apparently you already know they are guilty, therefore shooting them makes complete sense to you.
I can support that 100%.

Answer 2

Do you have a specific example that you are referring to where British Police Officers have been proven to be "trigger easy"? In the UK the only Officers authorised to permanently carry firearms are either part of the Ministry of Defence Police or specially trained Officers attached to Armed Response Teams. Despite what the media wants you to think Police Officers in England and Wales rarely shoot suspects and in 99.9% of shootings the wounding or killing was justified and legal. Firearms Officers go through rigorous training and have to be tested and certified on their capabilities every six months or so. Almost all the Officers I knew in my time on the job who applied to join the Protection Group, the department which firearms Officers are attached to in my force, failed the selection test. Oh, and ex-Soldiers don't make good firearms Officers in the Police; they are far too trigger ready and lack the ability to analyze a scenario before deciding to pull the trigger.

Answer 3

It's risky to be a criminal these days. Maybe these people need a career change.

Also, get educated before you start making up terms.

If you were a cop and you felt your life was in jeopardy would you take the chance of giving a criminal the benefit of the doubt when death or great bodily injury could result? Our motto is we don't get paid to lose fights and our goal is to go home to our families.

Wow. I've never had anyone respond back to me. I'm flattered.

I understand you now. I apologize if I initially thought you were inferring something else with your question.

Answer 4

Actually, per FBI stats, our crime rate is the lowest it has been since the mid 1960's--it's hard to tell though by the way the media covers it. Like a professor I had in college used to say, "Newspapers aren't in business to tell the truth; newspapers are in business to sell newspapers." If it bleeds, it leads.

And, as the good father has said, use of force policies are well-defined and strictly enforced. Police are taught to employ a use of force continuum when performing their duties, and, beleive me, it is a LONG way from "verbal judo (man I hate that term!) to deadly force.

That said, it has been my experience that, statutorily, I could have justified shooting at least a dozen people in my 17 years (and counting!) as a cop. I have, thankfully, not have to shoot anyone (been real close though). Beleive me, most cops exhibit an incredible amount of restraint when dealing with people.

Answer 5

i agree with dizattol... crime rates are actually down a lot! The media and tv shows hype everything, and now most of us live in a culture of constant fear. It has become ridiculous! We now consider people guilty til they can prove they are innocent?? where is the constitiution?

Answer 6

in my opinion if a guy is armed and/or has a history of violence then i don't think we should let our law enforcement guys endanger themselves by waiting for him to take the first shot. and you also have to take into consideration that cops have t deal with all kinds of wackos and they try to protect citizens as best they can and if that means getting rid of a wacko then they have my support all the way.

Answer 7

trigger happy cowboys.they should all do a stint in the army first to get some real training.as i did.

Answer 8

i think unless the cop is in danger then theres no need to bring out the gun .

Answer 9

They don't, they have very exact shooting rules,

Answer 10

Here, in the uk., i would rather that criminals were shot.