Given the video, I think most legally armed citizens would have gotten a pass on being charged with a crime. Of course, in Chicago, there's basically no such thing as legally armed, so the victim would at best be minus his stuff and at worst dead.
The officer obviously was prepared, but he was lucky too. What might have happened if the other two thugs had been armed -- or if the armed thug had just decided to shoot him and rob his body? I don't agree with the negatives on reaching into his pocket; misdirection is a great way to prevail. As several have said, action is always faster than reaction; if you can, get in the first shot and make it count.
The officer obviously was prepared, but he was lucky too. What might have happened if the other two thugs had been armed -- or if the armed thug had just decided to shoot him and rob his body? I don't agree with the negatives on reaching into his pocket; misdirection is a great way to prevail. As several have said, action is always faster than reaction; if you can, get in the first shot and make it count.