I couldn't agree more with your classifying the officer's reactions as passive. As a career law enforcement officer and someone who trained officers for decades I just don't understand this belief that a suspect armed with a deadly weapon should be threatened with a taser as the proper response. The taser was created as a less than lethal weapon and was never intended except under very specific circumstances to be used against a suspect who was armed with a deadly weapon and actively resisting or refusing lawful commands of officers. Unfortunately, today officers have been beaten down and cow-towed into attempting these less lethal actions when lethal Force is what is required. These officers are lucky that this suspect didn't stab an innocent person, one of them or that someone on the subway didn't shoot the suspect themselves. Sadly this is the era of police work we are in today where officers are afraid to use the appropriate level of force because they fear the media and their own Administrations more than they fear getting injured or killed.
It's this very fear that's placing innocent lives at risk.
"Sadly this is the era of police work we are in today where officers are afraid to use the appropriate level of force because they fear the media and their own Administrations more than they fear getting injured or killed."
Completely agree, once the knife comes out it changes the complexion of the entire contact. As soon as the knife endangers the taser should have been deployed if need be by more than one officer (it’s not an end all be all)!
As always, an honest and excellent breakdown of the events leading up to the OIS.
Thank you.
I couldn't agree more with your classifying the officer's reactions as passive. As a career law enforcement officer and someone who trained officers for decades I just don't understand this belief that a suspect armed with a deadly weapon should be threatened with a taser as the proper response. The taser was created as a less than lethal weapon and was never intended except under very specific circumstances to be used against a suspect who was armed with a deadly weapon and actively resisting or refusing lawful commands of officers. Unfortunately, today officers have been beaten down and cow-towed into attempting these less lethal actions when lethal Force is what is required. These officers are lucky that this suspect didn't stab an innocent person, one of them or that someone on the subway didn't shoot the suspect themselves. Sadly this is the era of police work we are in today where officers are afraid to use the appropriate level of force because they fear the media and their own Administrations more than they fear getting injured or killed.
It's this very fear that's placing innocent lives at risk.
"Sadly this is the era of police work we are in today where officers are afraid to use the appropriate level of force because they fear the media and their own Administrations more than they fear getting injured or killed."
Completely agree, once the knife comes out it changes the complexion of the entire contact. As soon as the knife endangers the taser should have been deployed if need be by more than one officer (it’s not an end all be all)!
Great analysis, as always. Am sharing.