Quote:
Originally Posted by GirlySports
If it's a fugitive in the stolen car, they've got a gun and are firing back.
/Or I'm watching too much forensic files.
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Yeah, I think that is a situation that is pretty easily sorted out by dispatch.
Normal situation:
Caller: yeah, I rear ended a guy and the cars are totalled, can you please send out the unarmed traffic division officers to take our statements please.
Dispatcher: Yes sir, they are on their way
Your hypothetical situation:
Caller: Oh my god, I rear ended a guy, I think the car must be stolen because he is threatening me with a gun. I'm pinned down, please send a heavily armed officer
Dispatcher: Oooh, sorry, that sounds like a traffic division call. I'm gonna have to send an unarmed officer into harms way...good luck to both of you
Or you know, they could send the right cops to the right situations.
There is a large portion of police work that can/maybe should be done by unarmed officers. If we put some thought into what we want different types of peace officers to do, we can probably keep everyone safe, encourage good relationships between the police and community, and maybe even save some money.
It's not something we can do overnight, and it would take a lot of work, thought, and training, but it is doable.