Ok, let's say a police officer, is in a car chase and is attempting to pull the driver over, however the driver does not cooperate and this results in a high speed chase,.....
Is a police officer allowed to stick his gun out his window and try to shoot the tires of the suspects car in order to make him stop ?
Regards
Jordan JP
2007-06-27 08:14:56 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
First of all it depends on the Departments Rules and Regulations regarding the use of force. Using a side arm would constitute deadly force, that force which is likely to cause death or great bodily harm. In most Departments deadly force can ONLY be used to prevent death or injury to the Officer or another person.
In the case you describe I would say the Officer could NOT use his/her weapon to stop a fleeing suspect.
If the driver of the fleeing vehicle had commit ed a capitol offense, had struck another vehicle while being pursued or had fired at the pursuing Officer then deadly force may come into play.
However, once again it depends on Department policy. Some Departments forbid high speed pursuits under any circumstances as this is very dangerous, both to the general public and the Officer.
2007-06-27 08:27:44 · answer #1 · answered by topcop 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely. As long as hes not putting others lives in direct danger. But if it would be alot safer to try and end this chase than to let it end the way this suspect has in mind, they can take action. Then there is also the chance that they are told to call of the chase so this suspect slows down and it minimizes the danger to innocent people. But they dont normally call it off unless there is a helicopter nearby, following this suspect.
2007-06-27 08:21:48 · answer #2 · answered by Amber Smith 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My former department policy was we could fire in;
Self-defense or defense of others
As an emergency signal (fired into the air)
To kill a rabid animal (shotgun slug or .40 in emergency)
At the range for practice.
We were not allowed to fire warning shots, shoot at tires or any of the other things you see on TV. Unless you could show that such an action met the self-defense or defense of others requirement.
2007-06-27 08:32:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I have seen them shoot at tires with a shotgun on police videos. It is usually a very last resort attempt to stop the vehicle.
2007-06-27 08:20:26 · answer #4 · answered by booman17 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When in a high speed chase, the fleeing victim is indangering everyone on the road. The cops can definitely use force.
2007-06-27 10:46:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They can get away with anything, so long as the public doesn't ask questions... oh wait a minute, didn't I recently see on a Canadian channel the RCMP inquirery , with the top brass on the hot seat for trying to do just that, get away with illegal stuff? Like I said, they can do what they please so long as they don't get caught, & then like all authority types they get on tv & lie like pinocchio!
2007-06-27 09:31:08 · answer #6 · answered by Utopian Friend 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hell no. ONLY if someone life is in danger. Most states are moving to the no chase policy!
2007-06-27 08:28:35 · answer #7 · answered by Tino 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
most are, but some departments forbid shooting at cars or from them.
i've seen some sweet vids where cops fire at tires from cars with shotguns
2007-06-27 09:09:48 · answer #8 · answered by Kevy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've done it. All depends on who you're chasing, and why, and if there is an imminent threat to other lives.
2007-06-27 08:39:28 · answer #9 · answered by CGIV76 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is a department policy issue, for mine no no and no.
2007-06-27 14:21:47 · answer #10 · answered by Officer 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋