Is it ok for law enforcement officers to use civilian vehicles with civilians inside for cover while actively shooting?

brainhulk

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2007
9,376
454
126


Is it possible for this situation to have been pursued farther back with a trailing helicopter until the ups truck was clear of civilians?
 
Last edited:

TheVrolok

Lifer
Dec 11, 2000
24,254
4,090
136
I can't imagine it's SOP to open fire with civilians in the line of fire unless emergently necessary to protect life. Was it necessary at that moment? I don't know.
 

mistercrabby

Senior member
Mar 9, 2013
962
53
91
Is it Ok for criminals to rob a jewelry store at gunpoint during which an employee is seriously wounded?

Is it Ok for the criminals to then initiate a shootout with first responders and flee the scene to avoid arrest?

Is it Ok for said criminals to carjack a UPS driver who is just going about his day delivering toys for Christmas at gun point?

Is it Ok for the cops to take down armed and obviously dangerous criminals at the first opportunity, in real-time imperfect conditions that they didn’t choose?

Did you read your own post?
 
  • Like
Reactions: pcgeek11 and Kaido

highland145

Lifer
Oct 12, 2009
43,910
6,277
136
Shit and @Paratus told me to lighten up...

:p



Not Monday morning quarterbacking but I'd do what the one suv did and push the effers in front of me out of the way.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Paratus

brianmanahan

Lifer
Sep 2, 2006
24,412
5,848
136
jack bauer always did it

of course jack bauer always got a ton of people killed

but he saved a ton of people too, so

 
  • Haha
Reactions: Zanovar

randay

Lifer
May 30, 2006
11,018
216
106


Is it possible for this situation to have been pursued farther back with a trailing helicopter until the ups truck was clear of civilians?

NOPE, they appeared to have been stuck in traffic. hence why there were so many civilians. they would have had to literally let them go, like how they do in mexico.
 

K1052

Elite Member
Aug 21, 2003
47,990
37,161
136
NOPE, they appeared to have been stuck in traffic. hence why there were so many civilians. they would have had to literally let them go, like how they do in mexico.

Unless that UPS truck had hidden wings and jet engines they aren't getting away from helicopters.

The police chose poorly and innocent people got killed. This is probably going to be used as an example of how/when not to use force.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimzz and TheVrolok

randay

Lifer
May 30, 2006
11,018
216
106
Unless that UPS truck had hidden wings and jet engines they aren't getting away from helicopters.

The police chose poorly and innocent people got killed. This is probably going to be used as an example of how/when not to use force.

rediculous, the ups truck STOPPED. the cops would have had to sit around doing nothing and letting the criminals shoot at them. So actually, the cops would have had to turn around and tuck tail and run.
 

K1052

Elite Member
Aug 21, 2003
47,990
37,161
136
rediculous, the ups truck STOPPED. the cops would have had to sit around doing nothing and letting the criminals shoot at them. So actually, the cops would have had to turn around and tuck tail and run.

Because of traffic and it was surrounded by civilians. It was irresponsible to approach and confront at that time unless the suspects were firing on random civilians. Especially while there was a hostage in the truck who was almost certain to be killed in a hail of police gunfire and that's what happened.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimzz

randay

Lifer
May 30, 2006
11,018
216
106
Because of traffic and it was surrounded by civilians. It was irresponsible to approach and confront at that time unless the suspects were firing on random civilians. Especially while there was a hostage in the truck who was almost certain to be killed in a hail of police gunfire and that's what happened.
sorry you are completely right and i cant argue against that. the cops definitely should have cleared traffic for the criminals so that they could get to the outskirts of civilization and have a shootout. what the fuck were the cops even thinking having a car chase in the middle of rush hour traffic, what a bunch of idiots. they should all be fired. cancel the cops.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: highland145

K1052

Elite Member
Aug 21, 2003
47,990
37,161
136
sorry you are completely right and i cant argue against that. the cops definitely should have cleared traffic for the criminals so that they could get to the outskirts of civilization and have a shootout. what the fuck were the cops even thinking having a car chase in the middle of rush hour traffic, what a bunch of idiots. they should all be fired. cancel the cops.

So should the copy actually tried to save the life of the hostage at least or nah?
 
  • Like
Reactions: KMFJD

WelshBloke

Lifer
Jan 12, 2005
31,408
9,299
136
Is it Ok for criminals to rob a jewelry store at gunpoint during which an employee is seriously wounded?

Is it Ok for the criminals to then initiate a shootout with first responders and flee the scene to avoid arrest?

Is it Ok for said criminals to carjack a UPS driver who is just going about his day delivering toys for Christmas at gun point?

Ummmm.... no? That's why all those things are illegal.

Is it Ok for the cops to take down armed and obviously dangerous criminals at the first opportunity, in real-time imperfect conditions that they didn’t choose?

It would depend on if they had considered the safety of the public and the best use of their resources at the time I guess.
Just going "Bad guy! *BLAMBLAMBLAM*" with no regard for public safety probably wouldn't be OK.
Did you read your own post?
Did you think about yours?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimzz and KMFJD

BudAshes

Lifer
Jul 20, 2003
13,933
3,227
146
rediculous, the ups truck STOPPED. the cops would have had to sit around doing nothing and letting the criminals shoot at them. So actually, the cops would have had to turn around and tuck tail and run.

I'd rather have the cops run than have them use me for cover in a pointless shoot out that gets the hostage killed and me potentially riddled with bullets.

*Edit* This is definitely P&N though. Wrong forum.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KMFJD

brianmanahan

Lifer
Sep 2, 2006
24,412
5,848
136
I'd rather have the cops run than have them use me for cover in a pointless shoot out that gets the hostage killed and me potentially riddled with bullets.

agreed tbh

some people like to romanticize living like it's the wild west though
 

balloonshark

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2008
6,562
3,031
136
If you don't like getting shot at you should probably move to a 1st world country that values life.

P.S. What's it mean when my tracking number says "lead contamination exception"?
 

KMFJD

Lifer
Aug 11, 2005
30,031
45,261
136
In most 1st world countries the police would be more concerned about all the civilian lives, there was no need for any of that, using civilians as human shields was just the cherry on top
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
68,413
12,593
126
www.anyf.ca
Cops in the states don't really care about human lives, they just have a job to do and will take the route that is the most efficient. A human life is actually worth a lot of points, enough to buy several weeks off.
 

randay

Lifer
May 30, 2006
11,018
216
106
If that's how they're going to make the attempt I think most people would opt to take their chances with the robbers.
Itll vary from person to person. A big burly man, yes fight back. A little old grandma, completely helpless.