A good shot

[k_dawg]

I read this, and while you have to read thru the obvious liberal slant, I thought that the officer was an excellent shot.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/01/28/officer.shot.ap/index.html

NEW YORK (AP) -- In a tragic case of mistaken identity, police shot and critically wounded an off-duty officer as he pointed a gun at a suspect outside a fast food restaurant early Saturday, authorities said.

Eric Hernandez, 24, was hit three times and was hospitalized in extremely critical condition, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

The officer who pulled the trigger, identified only as a 20-year veteran of the force, was being treated for trauma at another hospital.

Hernandez had been in line at a White Castle restaurant in the Bronx shortly before 5 a.m. when he was assaulted by a half-dozen men, Bloomberg said. It wasn't immediately clear what sparked the fight, but it was captured on the restaurant's security camera.

A woman called 911 from White Castle, and Hernandez -- with his gun drawn -- ran into the parking lot after his assailants, Bloomberg said.

He apparently subdued one of the suspects, and when a patrol car arrived, was pointing his gun at a man on the ground.

One of the two officers in the car, apparently believing Hernandez was about to shoot, opened fire, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said.

Hernandez, who joined the force in 2004, never fired his weapon, authorities said. He was shot in each leg and the abdomen and lost a lot of blood, Bloomberg said.

Kelly said police were questioning eight individuals about the shooting, including people who fought with Hernandez inside the White Castle.

It was believed to be the NYPD's first friendly fire shooting since Desmond Robinson, who wasn't in uniform, was shot in the back by an off-duty officer in 1994. Robinson had his gun drawn on a subway platform, and the officer mistook him for a criminal.

Why is this a "good shot"? Because the officer in question did exactly what was needed. He treated Eric Hernandez as just any other citizen, who would chase after fleeing criminals, and then use the threat of force to intimidate.

It is good to see police officers held to the "same standard" as us normal citizens once in a while.

 

[beerslurpy]

NYPD are held to the same standards as civilians in other states. The problem is if you dont happen to have a badge or be a millionaire.

 

[One of Many]

I fail to see how this can be considered a "good" shoot. The officer arrives on the scene in his squad car, and fires three shots into the person holding a gun, without taking the time to even get out of his squad car. How can he properly identify (or even question) the victim that quickly, and form a proper threat assessment.

This appears to be a case of 'shoot anyone holding a gun, and sort out the mess later.' How many other stories have we heard of, where the NYPD has filled citizens full of lead, when they had no weapon and made no threatening moves against the police? That the officer that pulled the trigger three times on a fellow officer is receiving treatment for trauma, to me indicates he knows he screwed up badly.

NYPD was supposed to have implemented identification procedures for off-duty officers, to avoid these cop shoots cop incidents; those procedures are only effective if all of the officers involved follow the procedure. This has the appearance of a failure to follow procedure; a 20 year veteran cop should have enough experience responding to emergency calls to be able to handle an adrenaline rush, and make sound judgement when to shoot. It might be that the victim failed to follow the ID procedure, but I rather doubt that shooting from inside a quad car is standard procedure, so one or both officers made a serious mistake.

 

[pax]

Already under discussion elsewhere.

And the title & opening post are flame-bait, which is unfortunate.

pax