My LEO career was very short thanks to the first gulf war so I might be wrong but when I was in training we were taught that there is a very strict protocol that needed to be followed for every shooting for it to be considered a legal and just shooting.
If these protocol where not follwed then by default the shooting was not legal. Even if the protocol was followed the shooting could still be declared unjust. An unjust shooting even by an LEO is a crime. Therefore if they did not follow protocol (in fact tried to actively avoid it) then the shooting would by default be declared unjust and a crime.
Affirmative!
While specifics within each Department can and probably do vary, these are the general guidelines:
If your duty weapon is drawn, then a use of force report is required.
If you fire your duty weapon:
1. Render first aid, if possible.
2. SECURE THE SCENE OF THE SHOOTING. Establish a double perimeter.
3. When your supervisors arrive, provide clear details and full disclosure of ALL facts leading to the discharge of your weapon.
(NOTE: At this point, the previous CW was that the officer surrendered his/her weapon. Nowadays, if that is required the officer is usually re-armed on the spot.)
What do you NOT do---EVER?
1. Leave the scene of the shooting, unless in fresh pursuit.
2. Touch, alter, remove, adulterate or destroy evidence.
3. Lie to your supervisors or investigators.
While on duty, you are covered by your Department for your lawful actions performed as a police officer. The SECOND that you lie, conceal or commit a falsehood, guess what? You're fresh out of friends, and all that protection evaporates like water splashed on an El Paso sidewalk in August.
Also, there is ONE small thing that I'd like to call to everyone's attention:
Lots of members of this board are prone to painting law enforcement with the same broad brush--we're JBT's, road nazis, taillight chasers, etc. And, to hear the buzz, we're all out to be oppressive totalitarian thugs.
Please note well that EVERY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER THAT HAS POSTED TO THIS THREAD has said that (given the statements we have read) this was a BAD SHOOT.
And, EVERY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER THAT HAS POSTED TO THIS THREAD has advocated swift, draconain punishment for these men who attempted to murder an unarmed man.
Seems like we're not quite the buttheads you think we are, are we?
