Did Dallas Dart police use excessive force with teenager Bobby Walker?

Question

I would like to know how many people think these guards went too far. I do not know why they call them police, since I think they are better described as security guards or peace officers.
My own opinion is they did their job. If I were on patrol with a coworker at 2 am, and someone jumped out from the Bushes, I would think about not shooting to kill. If the teenager grabbed my fellow employee by the arm and neck, tried to get her gun, and threatened to kill her, I think I would shoot to kill at that point. I understand her partner yelled at him repeatively to stop. When he did not stop, her partner fatally shot him. I know for the mother, there is nothing worse than losing a son or daughter. My sympathies go out to his family. But why was a 15 year old out on the street at 2am? Why would he attack one of two armed guards in a bus parking lot? For some reason, this tragic child was not in his right mind. If they shot his leg,it might only make him mad. Just my humble opinion. Yours?

Answer 1

Personally I think that you do not know what you are talking about. As for the "guard" statement, what in your mind does it take to be a police officer? Is the officer that patrols a small town, such as Anna, a police officer or is he a guard? Does it require that your area have a certain number of citizens, or is based on your area of responsibility? Do you say "hey if they do not work for a city, or do all the things that a city officer does, then they are not real cops". Well that would leave alot of officers under the title "guard", such as Game Wardens, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, and even DPS. Or maybe it is based on education and training? Well then how would you know if they are "real cops" or "guards", unless you asked for a resume? Well first as one of the so called"guards" I'd like to address you slur. I have 26 years experience with two different agencies, and hold a B.S. Degree for Texas A&M University. In addition, I have completed over 1800 hours of advanced police training, with the majority of the training attended at DPS Austin. I hold two certifications for Police Management Training for two state accredited training organizations, which officers from all over the United States attend. So I guess it is not based on education. Well look at DART jurisdiction. We enforce laws in 13 cities, and 6 counties. The population in our jurisdiction is second only to DPS. Well I guess it doesn't depend on population. Maybe it is responsibility? But that couldn't be it, because we enforce all the same laws as any other police officer, all agency focus are different. Dallas does not patrol Garland.....DPS does not enforce the game laws, and Fire Marshalls do not patrol the highways. So basically for your comment of the DART Police Officer being a 'guard", I think your an idiot. As for the shooting. We make judgements on what is reported in the news, but every news story is different. It did not occur at 2 am, as you state, it was after 3 am. The public looks at what is in the news, and then makes comments "well I would have done this", or "why didn't they just do that". It seems that everyone else always knows best what should have been done. But then again we do the same thing when we watch a game show. It is always asked "why didn't the officer just shot him in the leg?" That is until an officer tries to take a non-fatal shot, and the round either goes through the person or misses, and hits an innocent person. Taking a life is a tragic situation for all involved, including the police officer that has to make that final choice, and it is always taken when there is no other option. For those people out there that think that they could do a better job, or know exactly what should have been done, please come apply.....we could always use more officers. But then again you will have to put your life on the line daily, going into situations with very little information, taking care of problems created by someone else, going up against people that have no problem hurting you and do not follow any rules, only to be critized for the way you do your job by people that do not know the first thing about your job or have all the necessary information about the situation to make a realistic decision. But then again, that is just my opinion, but I do know what I'm talking about.

Answer 2

I would have shot him as well my partner life comes first. And as far as shooting someone in the leg. If that person has a gun shooting them in the leg doesn't stop them from firing again. Also during the 18 to 20 weeks of training you are never taught to aim and fire at the legs or head it is all in the center mass. I feel nothing for his family he dad was probably never around and his mom was probably a doper that didn't want him. Who I feel sorry for is the officer who had to shoot him that will stick with that person forever.

Answer 3

I agree with you. Of course the family and friends are going to be upset, and think the guards did wrong, they lost their child, the grandchild and their friend. If it happened to one of my kids I might do the same. I don't really know what I would do or think. BUT fact are facts. And the facts here far out weight any speculation. And I thought about that shooting in the leg or arm thing too. But I think they are trainned to shoot mid body and it all really goes down pretty fast. That's my opinion.

Answer 4

If a severe tension concern comes up it rather is protocall for the top of the dep. to reserve an examine and notify the SBI. In my branch the SBI investigates. there replaced right into a Police officer in an extensive to by way of city that replaced into charged with legal assalt some months in the past. he will definitly unfastened his certification and get probation. He would get some penal complex time.

Answer 5

They did what was right but not what some think is acceptable. The "child" took an adult risk and it does not matter what mind he is in. Shooting to wound may get you killed and it will definitely get you shot