Is it necessary for cops to use lethal force against a guy with a knife?

[L Gilbert]

Family in shock after police shooting on Toronto streetcar - Toronto - CBC News

Of course I can understand there are instances when it is, like when he has it pressed against someone's jugular. I think in many cases a shot to the knee cap or shoulder will suffice.

There wasnt really enough info in the article to say. If he was holding someone hostage with a knife to their throat I can see using lethal force. If not a shot in the leg or arm or even a taser shock should have done the trick.

Yep and yep.

 

[Locutus]

Toronto Police Service :: To Serve and Protect

I'm sure the streetcar camera will show things much more clearly.

 

[Walter]

That still doesn't excuse the cops from not doing the fast draw routine and shooting the knife out of his hand.

Yeah, anyone can shoot a knife out of a hand, I've seen the Lone Ranger do it all the time.

 

[Machjo]

I can see the points of using minimal required force and using lethal force as a last resort. However, under certain circumstances, it is fair to presume the police to be innocent until proven guilty and if under the circumstances it could be justified, then we have to accept the police have a right to protect themselves.

 

[Durry]

I'm sure there were other things the police could have done before they shot this dude, but on the other hand no one should have a right to threathen others with a knife in this day and age.

So I'm all in favour that if you threathen anyone with a knife and you don't drop it when asked, your history right now!!
I think if the police shoot a few more of these dudes threathing others with knives, these dudes will soon get the message!!
Fk em, we don't need this kind of behavior in our society today!!

 

[lone wolf]

I'm sure there were other things the police could have done before they shot this dude, but on the other hand no one should have a right to threathen others with a knife in this day and age.

So I'm all in favour that if you threathen anyone with a knife and you don't drop it when asked, your history right now!!
I think if the police shoot a few more of these dudes threathing others with knives, these dudes will soon get the message!!
Fk em, we don't need this kind of behavior in our society today!!

Yet you post something the same....

 

[damngrumpy]

This almost looked to me, like the command was keep shooting he's not dead yet.
Like I have said before i would rather meet bikers on the street than a couple of
cops. The police are out of control in many cases and society does little about it.

 

[JLM]

This almost looked to me, like the command was keep shooting he's not dead yet.
Like I have said before i would rather meet bikers on the street than a couple of
cops. The police are out of control in many cases and society does little about it.

Yep, for sure, but I still have faith that there are more good cops than bad!

 

[Durry]

Nah, the guy just got overly excited..
It's ok tho, let this be a lesson to others!!

I know I'll always be ok!!

 

[Goober]

I'm sure there were other things the police could have done before they shot this dude, but on the other hand no one should have a right to threathen others with a knife in this day and age.

So I'm all in favour that if you threathen anyone with a knife and you don't drop it when asked, your history right now!!
I think if the police shoot a few more of these dudes threathing others with knives, these dudes will soon get the message!!
Fk em, we don't need this kind of behavior in our society today!!

Ever the voice of reason.

 

[karrie]

Nah, the guy just got overly excited..
It's ok tho, let this be a lesson to others!!

I know I'll always be ok!!

Will you?

I guess if you're one of the lucky ones who thinks they will never look wrong to a police officer, then it's okay. But boy, I'm just a white housewife, and I still don't trust that I'll always 'look right', or 'act right' or be in the right mind to comply fast enough for them.

I can think of at least two times in my life where medical complications had me in a state of mind that wasn't my own, and a handful of instances where people I know had similar issues. Head injury, brain swelling, dementia, brain infection, diabetic shock, medication imbalance, suicidal depression, schizophrenia..... perfectly normal, everday people, neighbours, family, friends.

I don't rest easy that this will never be me. Or my husband. Or someone else I love. I think it's important we expect better (if this is what it looks like on the surface).

 

[Durry]

Will you?

I guess if you're one of the lucky ones who thinks they will never look wrong to a police officer, then it's okay. But boy, I'm just a white housewife, and I still don't trust that I'll always 'look right', or 'act right' or be in the right mind to comply fast enough for them.

I can think of at least two times in my life where medical complications had me in a state of mind that wasn't my own, and a handful of instances where people I know had similar issues. Head injury, brain swelling, dementia, brain infection, diabetic shock, medication imbalance, suicidal depression, schizophrenia..... perfectly normal, everday people, neighbours, family, friends.

I don't rest easy that this will never be me. Or my husband. Or someone else I love. I think it's important we expect better (if this is what it looks like on the surface).

Nah, no time for that!!
Just say your prayers every night and if things don't work out right for you in this world, hopefully it will be fairer in the next one!!

 

[L Gilbert]

I'm sure there were other things the police could have done before they shot this dude, but on the other hand no one should have a right to threathen others with a knife in this day and age.

And the world's people should all get along and give each other hugs, too.

I think if the police shoot a few more of these dudes threathing others with knives, these dudes will soon get the message!!

I'm thinking you mean "threatening", but anyway, that hasn't worked yet. Death sentences don't prevent other people from killing either. Pretty poor prevention system.

Fk em, we don't need this kind of behavior in our society today!!

Ya think?

 

[Durry]

Your right, meant to be "threatening" !!

 

[Goober]

Nah, no time for that!!
Just say your prayers every night and if things don't work out right for you in this world, hopefully it will be fairer in the next one!!

Clearly you have to go back in for that circumcision. From the neck up.
I like that slammin line. How about you?

 

[Nuggler]

Is there a connection between that incident and this one?

Only in so far as the fukker used a knife.................big knife. Unfortunately, he was not shot.

 

[JLM]

Only in so far as the fukker used a knife.................big knife. Unfortunately, he was not shot.

As horrendous as the crime was, in Canada we don't shoot mentally ill people. Killing him would indeed embark us on a "slippery slope". Killing doesn't necessarily excuse more killing.

 

[Nuggler]

I dunno Man,. this seems a little iffy.

NINE shots?? REALLY????? THEN they taser him??

And he was inside the bus, alone I think. Good Lord, talk about isolated and secured.........with a number of cops around him.

And he didn't even appear to be at the door.

Now, all that said, in training you are taught that any man with an edged weapon with 25 feet is extremely dangerous, and lethal force is an option. A fit man can cover 25 in two seconds.

I think the cop was trigger happy.

But I also think the shooting will come down as justified.



BALONEY.

First of all, "disabling" a man requires a level of shooting skill not exactly common among police, nor the general public

Secondly, that level of skill is negated by the stress of an actual confrontation, and the knowledge you are shooting at a MAN.


Third....the target is moving.

Fourth, the police are TRAINED to shoot centre mass, NEVER anything else......because

Fifth, "disabling" shots, even if successful, over-penetrate and continue on their way to God-knows where.

All that said, I think the shooting was unnecessary, and the cop somewhat trigger happy, and unskilled. Notice (I believe) only one cop fired. Unusual, to say the least

The inquiry will be interesting.

Anyone with twenty five feet should be shot.............;-)









(sorry, couldn't resist)

Some common sense from the Nat. Post. (starting to like them)

Police must respond aggressively knife-wielding assailants | National Post

 

[L Gilbert]

25 feet huh? lol Quarter of a cent ...... ipede.

Anyway, I spose it would make a diff if the cop was packing a shotgun or a handgun. I mean a load of 00 could take a leg off but not necessarily kill a guy and it would sure as hell stop him.

 

[Goober]

25 feet huh? lol Quarter of a cent ...... ipede.

Anyway, I spose it would make a diff if the cop was packing a shotgun or a handgun. I mean a load of 00 could take a leg off but not necessarily kill a guy and it would sure as hell stop him.

All those Officers, guy on the bus going no where fast. Why use a gun when a batons were available. Did any other officers at the bus have Tasers?
Exit off a bus is limited. Space is constricted. Ever see 2 people get on at the same small door. Nope.