Lethal Force.

[DanX]

Quick Question:


I'm 18 and I plan on becoming an officer later down the road, but I just had a question on the use of lethal force.


How can an officer use lethal force without getting in trouble with his superiors? It seems like even though lethal force is neccesary, the officers usually get charged with manslaughter or voluntary murder.

And can someone explain what 'administrative leave' is?

Thank you.

Dan

[phantasm]

you will learn the departments policy's about use of force and use of deadly physical force when you go through training.

[Stan Switek]

In some instances, the law permits police officers to use deadly force in the lawful performance of their duty. There may be some circumstances where you have an actual duty to use deadly force in defense of yourself of the public. Police officers are rarely charged for using deadly force. Even fewer are convicted of crimes involving deadly force. Most police shootings are very clear cut that the force was justified.

Some departments will put officers on administrative duty or adminitrative leave with pay after a shooting. Other departments will allow the officers a few days off then send them back to work in the same assignment.

Officers on my department are in a dozen or more shootings a year. Only once in the last 30 years do I recall an officer being placed on administrative duty over a shooting. In that case it wasnt so much the shooting was out of policy. The officer wrote a terrible report report & would not accept the advice of more senior officers or his attorney in how he worded certain parts of his report. The result was his report did not justify the force he used against an unarmed suspect. When one hears the real story, the shooting was clearly justified, the officer just failed to explain his justification. He was fired but not charged.

Just because you shoot someone, you dont freak out or lose you mind. I survived several armed encounters with crooks intent on killing me. If you are properly trained, you will respond correctly & instinctively. Its serious business but it's not the way its portrayed on TV.

[hitnrun]

And remember to read your non-waiver statement too!

[nypd7748]

Mr./Mrs.

DR. BARKS

[RO56]

Quick Question:


I'm 18 and I plan on becoming an officer later down the road, but I just had a question on the use of lethal force.


How can an officer use lethal force without getting in trouble with his superiors? It seems like even though lethal force is neccesary, the officers usually get charged with manslaughter or voluntary murder.

And can someone explain what 'administrative leave' is?

Thank you.

Dan

'SEARCH' is your friend. We just covered this topic less than a week ago:

http://forums.realpolice.net/showthread.php?t=62665