Powderman
Member
I have never seen anything that said that some of the kids in Columbine were killed by friendly fire. It is my understanding that the shooting had stopped before the police entered the building.
FedDC:
Perhaps there were improvised IED's placed all around. I don't know.
I do know this--that there are some times when you have to consciously make a decision to do something that flies in the face of reason.
I'm not a cowboy--heavens, no! I tend to be overcritical sometimes, and spend too much time evaluating my options.
But if a person swears an oath to protect and serve and puts on the uniform, there WILL come a time when you have to do something that flies in the face of reason.
I don't know of ANY Department that forbids entry into a structure under exigent circumstances. For instance, take a DV call.
The normal procedure for one ofc. cars is to get there, WAIT FOR BACKUP, and then approach the residence. Stop and listen for a minute, then make contact.
However, if you are waiting for backup and you hear something which would lead you to believe that someone is getting hurt RIGHT NOW, you get your rump out of that nice soft Crown Vic in a hurry. You GET YOUR HIND END IN THERE, and do what's necessary.
At Columbine, like I said before, I can't and won't second guess the officers. However, this would have been my course of action.
At the report of shots fired, and kids down:
1. DON'T cruise up to the front door. Find another entrance.
2. Notify Dispatch of your arrival.
3. Deploy your long gun. In this case, the AR15 truly finds its niche.
4. Say a quick prayer, swallow the shakes, and get into that school using whatever means necessary. Keep in contact with Dispatch, and once inside, MOVE. Quick peeks in the classrooms. Try to find out from Dispatch where the shooters are--and get there!
5. Hopefully, you can find the shooters quickly. You're not a soldier on combat ops, so you challenge them; give them a chance to lay down their arms. If they choose poorly, do what needs to be done.
Bottom line--when people are hurt and dying, the officer is sworn to find out why--and do something about it, RIGHT NOW. And the reason isn't the pay, or the prestige, or the perks.
The reason is because you have stood and swore an oath before God to protect others--even at the cost of your safety, your health or your life.
I'm sorry--perhaps I will get into trouble one day for believing this as strongly as I do. But, I have two children; grown now, and out on their own. I remember, though, when they went through school. And, I know that if I heard what I would feel if they were at a school where a shooting had occurred.
Perhaps I am a bit old fashioned, but the parents on the board will probably agree with me:
Procedure don't mean squat when kids are being hurt.
FedDC:
Perhaps there were improvised IED's placed all around. I don't know.
I do know this--that there are some times when you have to consciously make a decision to do something that flies in the face of reason.
I'm not a cowboy--heavens, no! I tend to be overcritical sometimes, and spend too much time evaluating my options.
But if a person swears an oath to protect and serve and puts on the uniform, there WILL come a time when you have to do something that flies in the face of reason.
I don't know of ANY Department that forbids entry into a structure under exigent circumstances. For instance, take a DV call.
The normal procedure for one ofc. cars is to get there, WAIT FOR BACKUP, and then approach the residence. Stop and listen for a minute, then make contact.
However, if you are waiting for backup and you hear something which would lead you to believe that someone is getting hurt RIGHT NOW, you get your rump out of that nice soft Crown Vic in a hurry. You GET YOUR HIND END IN THERE, and do what's necessary.
At Columbine, like I said before, I can't and won't second guess the officers. However, this would have been my course of action.
At the report of shots fired, and kids down:
1. DON'T cruise up to the front door. Find another entrance.
2. Notify Dispatch of your arrival.
3. Deploy your long gun. In this case, the AR15 truly finds its niche.
4. Say a quick prayer, swallow the shakes, and get into that school using whatever means necessary. Keep in contact with Dispatch, and once inside, MOVE. Quick peeks in the classrooms. Try to find out from Dispatch where the shooters are--and get there!
5. Hopefully, you can find the shooters quickly. You're not a soldier on combat ops, so you challenge them; give them a chance to lay down their arms. If they choose poorly, do what needs to be done.
Bottom line--when people are hurt and dying, the officer is sworn to find out why--and do something about it, RIGHT NOW. And the reason isn't the pay, or the prestige, or the perks.
The reason is because you have stood and swore an oath before God to protect others--even at the cost of your safety, your health or your life.
I'm sorry--perhaps I will get into trouble one day for believing this as strongly as I do. But, I have two children; grown now, and out on their own. I remember, though, when they went through school. And, I know that if I heard what I would feel if they were at a school where a shooting had occurred.
Perhaps I am a bit old fashioned, but the parents on the board will probably agree with me:
Procedure don't mean squat when kids are being hurt.