when are the police allowed to open fire?

Question

Can a police officer shoot at someone running away from them even if that person has no weapon and hasn't fought back?

Answer 1

Well i am not a cop but I do hold a criminal justice degree. A cop can not fire on someone unless he or she is being fired upon, or if their lives are being put in danger. Even unholstering his or her gun requires alot of paper work. If a cop does fire his or her weapon the weapon is taken by the department for evidence and the officer is given another gun. The officers can not shoot at a person running away, or unarmed, that alone will put a cop behind bars.

Answer 2

An officer may shoot if he believes his life or the life of a member of the public is in danger. Fleeing the police is not a good Idea. You should listen to the officer and comply with his directives. I didn't always think this way. In my life so far I have stood off police 3 times,and have never been arrested, because I was right. Today though, there is so much going on in the world, it's better just to do what the officer tells you what to do and sort things out later

Answer 3

NO. they are only allowed to shoot if themselves or civilians lives are threatened in any way. the bad guy doesnt have to have a gun, a knife would call for action if the dude attacked with it. but they arent allowed to shoot the first shots. thats why they have tazers

Answer 4

Depends. Far too many variables to even get in to this argument. Generally speaking, if you are a fleeing felon, I wouldn't chance it, who's to say you aren't armed and don't plan to shoot back?

Answer 5

As long as it's not caught on tape a cop can do what ever the hell he pleases because it would just be his word over someone elses and they all ways believe the cop.

Answer 6

Let's just hope you never find out.