NOLA Police Officer killed with her own gun

[feedthehogs]

Don't know if NOLA'S policy is for an officer to make arrest without backup on site. The dept my nephew works for says no arrests without backup.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

Why would a (assumingly) small woman not have backup? Now I'm not being sexist here, but for the most part men are larger and stronger than women...Its just cases like these that blow my mind. I don't know why any cops, for that matter, don't have backup.

 

[Soybomb]

There were apparently no witnesses to this seven minute ordeal. Nicola Cotton's struggle with her assailant was shielded from passer-by view by her cruiser. She radioed for assistance. Before assistance could arrive, the suspect took her holstered gun from her and murdered her with it. Her assailant was still at the scene when Nicola Cotton's back-up arrived. He was taken into custody. We know what happened because of images on security tape, not because there were witnesses milling around with their hands in their pockets. Lets keep the story straight.

I think the story as presented is not straight to start with

Passers-by may not have seen the drawn-out struggle because the pair was on the ground and shielded by the officer's vehicle, Riley said. Police said security videotape captured the lethal assault.

Riley said police have several witnesses to the shooting, which occurred near a convenience store and other businesses

No one got a view of things until right when he shot her?

 

[MoralPluralismsBarrel]

sad. I send my condolences to the officer's family. This in itself is another reason citizens should be allowed to carry, how many officers would be killed by their own guns if the perps knew that a witness could possibly end their life if they even attempted to grab the officers gun in a struggle?

 

[XavierBreath]

No one got a view of things until right when he shot her?

It would seem, as in many instances, the shots themselves drew the attention of witnesses.

People may have witnessed the shooting, but not the entire struggle. The gunshots drew the attention of witnesses.

Why would a (assumingly) small woman not have backup? Now I'm not being sexist here, but for the most part men are larger and stronger than women...Its just cases like these that blow my mind. I don't know why any cops, for that matter, don't have backup.

Why would any cop not have a partner in the cruiser with him/her? A partner is very different than back-up. Statistics have proven that there are much fewer police casualties with 2 cop teams. The chiefs and powers that be though, are able to maximize apparent forces by going to one man teams. That's the true reasoning behind solo partols. It's a gamble between budgets, politics and lives.

I hesitate to judge a dead officer, but we can learn from the tragedy if we allow ourselves. The fact that Officer Cotton was a woman does not figure into her death. Her death was the result of bad decisions, bad tactics. Did she have options? Perhaps. Continuing the interview until back-up arrived was one option. Keeping her distance, drawing and using her gun was another. Obviously, continuing the interview was preferrable.

Fighting is a skill set few want to learn. To learn to fight, you must fight, not spar. People don't like to get their tails whooped. But a fighter learns a few truths by fighting........ A person maximizes their advantages and avoids their disadvantages. A small boy learns quickly not to wrestle a big boy on the ground. He will lose almost every time. As a small man, he knows he must use speed agility and quick, sure decision making to persevere in a fight. The big man likely still resorts to wrestling because it has always worked.

Because they do not fight often as girls, women seldom seem to understand fighting concepts. They think fights should be fair and their opponent should allow for their deficiencies. The same holds true for men who never fought as boys though. But fights are not fair. Sports are fair, and fighting is not a sport. Lets face it, fighting is about skill, knowledge and determination, not size. If you hold a job that makes it likely you will have to fight, then you should learn to fight before you have to. But........lack of fighting skills did not lead to Nicola Cotton's demise. Just as poor decisions prior to an altercation can lead to anybody getting injured or killed, Nicola Cotton's decisions prior to the altercation were the primary factor in her death, not her size, gender, or lack of fighting skill.

Nicola Cotton's decision to cuff the suspect alone is what led to her death. This poor decision could have led to the death of any officer, male or female, Barney Fife or Rambo. When a suspect realizes they are being taken into custody you never know how they will respond. The adrenaline and rage gives the suspect a distinct mindset advantage, while to the officer, it's often seen as the routine conclusion of the more "risky" interview.

Why did she attempt this solo handcuffing? Lack of proper training, and the lack of a partner. That is the truth that Chief Warren Riley will cover up with the muddy water of heroism, black banded badges and white gloves.

 

[tallpaul]

The fact that Officer Cotton was a woman does not figure into her death. Her death was the result of bad decisions, bad tactics.

Administrator or not that is absolute and utter BS....

If you truly think it had NOTHING to do with her death ya really are out of touch with reality.... it likely played at least a part to one degree or another.

At least I would bet 1 saltine cracker on it being at least part of the perps decision. I bet he knew she was a woman and he thought he could take her out.

 

[JWarren]

Ignoring the human tragedy of this and focusing on the situation-- any loss of an officer in NO is a blow to that city. The city has been overrun with crime and every officer willing to work there is direly needed.

Xavier... my wife and I were just discussing this...

Did the courts strike down the requirement that NO had where all their Police Officer and Firemen live WITHIN Orleans Parish? This was a huge debate for some time. Was it struck down, or was it lifted after Katrina?


-- John

 

[DerbyDale]

The fact that Officer Cotton was a woman does not figure into her death. Her death was the result of bad decisions, bad tactics.

Administrator or not that is absolute and utter BS....

If you truly think it had NOTHING to do with her death ya really are out of touch with reality.... it likely played at least a part to one degree or another.

At least I would bet 1 saltine cracker on it being at least part of the perps decision. I bet he knew she was a woman and he thought he could take her out.

+1000 Totally Agree.

While I think women can do most anything as well (if not better) than men. There are limits that Mother Nature has set on them. Political Correctness can’t wash away the FACT that women are physically smaller and weaker than men.

IMHO female officers should NEVER ride alone!

 

[25 Pdr]

Regarding the Officer being shot with her own gun, I seem to remember many years ago an article in G&A about a mechanical safety interlock fitted to a S&W revolver. The idea being the gun would not fire unless a magnet was placed near the grip. The owner wore a magnetic ring to enable firing.

I believe some research has been done recently but as this has been done using electronics I wouldnt trust the technology, (batteries,corrosion etc.)

I think the magnetic safety was probably similar to the devices found on cat flaps.

 

[MASTEROFMALICE]

The fact that Officer Cotton was a woman does not figure into her death.

Speaking as a police officer and former Marine who has actual, real life experience training with females of the same occupation on both occasions, I'll have to entirely disagree with you on this. The VAST majority of women simply can't compare with even the average male where combat (or patrol) effectiveness is concerned.

Males tend to be bigger, males tend to be stronger (per pound, in addition to being bigger), males tend to be more aggressive when fighting, males tend to gravitate more readily to LEARNING how to fight and to be aggressive.

How many females currently play in the NHL? The NFL? How many females have successfully taken on males in Mixed Martial Arts?

What's the ratio of male to female hunters? IDPA shooters? I dare someone to say 50/50 and believe it.

I know it's all sweet and cute and politically correct to say women can do anything men can do, but that attitude of denial can get people killed, as shooters we should know that!

Pretending a problem doesn't exist doesn't solve the problem. A few years ago in Atlanta three people were killed in a courthouse when the exact same thing happened.

Sure this job is dangerous but I've arrested a whole lot of people by myself, without backup present. If this job wasn't dangerous then no one would have to call the police.

Incidentally I'm only 5'9". You know what happened to the last guy who tried to take my gun from me? He found himself on the ground wondering why I was standing on his face. He was 6'3".


Addendum: From the time I started to the time I finished writing this two others posted like-minded responses. At least I know I'm not alone.

 

[32winspl]

please disregard this post, it was overtaken by events

 

[ilbob]

Who knows what goes on with these kind of things.

Cops generally make a point of telling us mere citizens to keep our noses out of their business.

It could just be the neighborhood.

The NOPD has long been one of the most corrupt and mismanaged PDs in the country. Could be no one cared enough to lift a hand after being hassled and ripped off for years by the local cops.

One would think that if one had the wherewithal to do so, that a bystander would help out.

It seems likely at 24 that she was pretty new to the job and got caught unaware.

A sad ending.

 

[MASTEROFMALICE]

Could be no one cared enough to lift a hand after being hassled and ripped off for years by the local cops.

Very possible, but I'll counter with this. It takes a special kind of coward to stand by and let their fellow man be murdered right in front of them.

 

[pbearperry]

Female killed with own gun

Due to costs and trying to stretch budgets,2 man patrol cars are now a thing of the past for the most part.When I first went on the job,all of our patrol cars had 2 man teams.However ,the last 20 yrs on the job,I rode alone.Sometimes my city would have a 2 man car in the center of the city so they could go towards the more serious calls as a backup.
By the time I was getting ready to retire,it was not unusual to just have
6 one man cars on the 12-8AM shift on patrol in a city of 1000,000 people.Many times backup was not there or took quite a while to get there.In 1970 my city had a 207 person Police Dept.Now in 2008 with 3 times the amount of calls,we now have 183 on the Dept.It has become very dangerous for the cops and the general public.I see no relief in sight.I thank my lucky stars I made it to retirement.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

Man, it just really makes me sick to my stomach to think how terrifying this young woman's last few minutes were.

I'll sidestep the morass of gender arguments and corruption in favor of reminding everyone that while NO can't seem to get any more officers, they came up with enough money to get their football stadium rebuilt, music and tourism cranked back up again.

Where's the money for officers? If you offered enough money, cops from all over the country would pull up stakes and go to Nola in droves.

It's very very sad, this loss of life.

 

[ilbob]

Very possible, but I'll counter with this. It takes a special kind of coward to stand by and let their fellow man be murdered right in front of them.

The story seemed to indicate that most of the action was shielded from public view. Its possible no one realized what was going on. Its also quite possible that the "training" the local citizens have received over the years has led them to ignore when cops are beating on people. Maybe thats what they thought was going on.

Where's the money for officers? If you offered enough money, cops from all over the country would pull up stakes and go to Nola in droves.

Maybe. It does seem odd that they can afford to fix the dome but can't afford to recruit experienced cops. It might be that they have tried and found the department's horrendous record of corruption and brutality is not all that attractive to outsiders, regardless of the financial concerns.

 

[MASTEROFMALICE]

The story seemed to indicate that most of the action was shielded from public view. Its possible no one realized what was going on. Its also quite possible that the "training" the local citizens have received over the years has led them to ignore when cops are beating on people. Maybe thats what they thought was going on.

Two points on that. One, fights aren't quiet. Two, if anyone is "trained" to let someone die, then refer back to my post about cowardice.

It might be that they have tried and found the department's horrendous record of corruption and brutality is not all that attractive to outsiders, regardless of the financial concerns.

I'll give you that one. There are few departments I wouldn't work for. Washington DC is one and New Orleans is another.

 

[Onmilo]

This whole thing is just plain sad.
Seven minutes and not one person stepped in to help her!?

My heart and prayers go out to the officer and her family.

 

[Biker]

Seven minutes is an un-Godly long time to fight, especially on the ground against a larger, stronger opponant. Gotta hand it to her for holding out that long - took a lot of heart.

Respect.

Biker

 

[pbearperry]

Nopd

A few years back,60 Minutes had a 60 min program about NOPD and all their problems.They have been the most corrupt Dept. along with being the lowest paid big city Dept. in the nation.I was not suprised in hearing this.That whole area has been totally corrupt not only politically,but morally for years.After watching the show I came away with the feeling that only morons or people who wanted to use the badge for criminal activity would even join this Dept.I would hate to be an honest cop on this Dept. because it would be a very dangerous place to work.I would be afraid to trust anyone.Just a few years ago,a female cop called in sick so she could rob a Mom & Pop store.Her own Patrol partner responded and she shot and killed him.Now that's a first !
What really astounded me was that my pay as a Patrolman in Massachusetts,was more than their Commisioner in New Orleans.What does that tell you?P.S. I never made over 54 grand a year in all of my years working ot etc so don't tell me I was over paid please.

 

[ilbob]

One, fights aren't quiet.

I wouldn't necessarily say that. I once witnessed a knockdown dragout fight while I was in high school that lasted several minutes and if you were not real close you could easily have missed it.

The story is short on background details.

 

[hankdatank1362]

I would much rather be reading about how she severed the BG's forearm muscles and tendons from the bone with a Hide-Away Knife she kept on her belt, weak-side.

Make no mistkae, someone trying to take your weapon is deadly threat, as they are defintely not going to just toss it away and insist on a fair fight. They are going to try and shoot you with your own gun. Seeing as that person is now a deadly threat, deadly force is authorized in saving your own life and the lives of any bystanders.

 

[silverlance]

this story reinforces why one should not attempt to cuff a subject.

further, this story reinforces why one should not physically attempt to prevent a burgular/thief/vandal from fleeing. as much as it would gall me, if a guy broke into my house and I got him at gun point, if he turned around and tried to run out the window I would not try to tackle him.

 

[JohnL2]

Terrible news. Police work is flat out dangerous. Hard to believe that an officer would be on a call alone in a city like that. Just does not make sense.

 

[Harley Quinn]

MASTEROFMALICE you are right on in my opinion. We have a similar history.
I was on the job and saw some good, bad and ugly situations that occured.
Many of them were not assisted by having a weak link in the chain.
Here is an interesting story. Remember the shoot out at the Bank of America LAPD?
Investigation revealed that the female officers that were at the scene, none fired a shot. None.
Training and discussion was intense and very politically correct you can be sure.

This is truely a tragedy and another strike against NOPD and the whole city.
Disgraceful and very apparant that the location needs a major overhaul.
This could also be a simple situation as not enough training, to confident for the situation.
Training, or lack of it, might be the major problem