Why I could never be a Baltimore police officer...

[Beemerguy53]

Last Sunday, Baltimore Police responded to an intersection in West Baltimore where a man was threatening a woman with a butcher knife. The first officer on the scene shot the perp, who died from his wounds.

Here's yesterday's BPD press briefing on that incident, including the body camera footage from the officers. The uniformed gentleman speaking is BPD Commissioner Michael Harrison, who leads the Department.

There are four outside agencies (federal, state, local, and civil rights) investigating this shooting, which is SOP here. In Baltimore, it's okay for young men to slaughter each other by the dozens, but when a police officer shoots someone, the community loses its mind, so there must be umpteen inquiries to ensure that "justice" is done.

Note reporters' questions toward the end of the video, and the clear skepticism about whether this shooting was justified. Kudos to Commissioner Harrison for defending his officers.

I spent 30 years in the Baltimore City Fire Department, in the area where this occurred, and used to tell the Baltimore cops I encountered that I could never do their job, because I don't have the required patience to deal with idiots, and the cars aren't big enough to hold all the ammo I would want to carry.

These officers saved that woman's life...God bless them.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3GVMyS_rlA[/ame]

 

[Farmer17]

I wouldn't want to be a cop anywhere in America and that used to be my dream job.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I'm just asking... I counted 13 shots. Am I close?

 

[delcrossv]

I'm just asking... I counted 13 shots. Am I close?

Yep. Looks like he Van Dyke'd him.

 

[LVSteve]

Cop rolls up on guy brandishing knife over fallen woman. Guy goes down almost like ordered but is now almost on top of woman still holding the knife. Shoot or don't shoot? I don't have an issue with his decision, but I would like to know how much he missed and/or came close to hitting the woman.

 

[Bald1]

The problem will be number of shots fired……. Critics won't acknowledge that he still had knife and was trying to raise it. Critics will also never know what it's like to have to make those decisions in a split second

 

[Beemerguy53]

I'm just asking... I counted 13 shots. Am I close?

It was actually 14 rounds.

 

[Rustyt1953]

It was actually 14 rounds.

That's why I asked.

 

[Beemerguy53]

The problem will be number of shots fired……. Critics won't acknowledge that he still had knife and was trying to raise it. Critics will also never know what it's like to have to make those decisions in a split second

If you listen to the reporters' questions toward the end of the video, that's exactly the issue they're raising...that the perp "only" had a knife and was it necessary to shoot him so many times.

Living in this region, and seeing the public reaction to most police shootings, I'm surprised nobody demanded to know why the officer didn't shoot the knife out of the perp's hand...

 

[jimmyj]

What type and caliber weapon is the is issue service pistol of BPD ?

 

[Rustyt1953]

According to Wiki:

"The primary service weapon of the (BPD) is the Glock 22 .40 caliber pistol, replacing the Glock 17 9mm pistol."

 

[sigp220.45]

The dearly departed was a vocal proponent of "no shoot zones".

After 'No Shoot Zone' activist killed by Baltimore Police, loved ones point to mental illness, lament police response – Baltimore Sun

 

[grover99]

After getting a degree in Criminal Justice and spending time as a Military police lieutenant I came to the conclusion that I would not be a good street cop. I just couldn't deal with **** that cops see day after day. I would end up shooting some low life who deserved it but would not be a good shooting.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Just take down the names of the people that complained,

and if they end up in that spot, just tell them that you will try to

talk the BG down, form hurting them, while you call for back up.

Seems fair, to me.

 

[Doug M.]

I can't imagine ever entering Maryland again, and certainly not Baltimore. As for the number of shots, only idiots ask stupid questions such as that. One shoots until the perceived threat is addressed. Pistols are lousy stoppers, and it is not uncommon for some people to need to be shot a LOT.

American LE kills at most about 5% of the people it would be justified in shooting, no matter how many dullards listen to kooks like Radley Balko. Private citizens also kill very few offenders; the number of justifiable homicides compared to the number of violent crimes is minuscule and nearly irrelevant except for the tolerance of criminality it shows.

 

[jschmidt]

Baltimore cops are under more scrutiny from their prior bad acts.

 

[Xfuzz]

Did my time from 1972-2002 different era all together.
If I worked today, I'd likely end up in an orange jumpsuit.

 

[Czechvar]

I thought it was pretty amazing that the perp was still moving after that many shots. Nobody should be a LEO in an Urban area…the Floyd Effect is just too prevalent…and too lucrative.

 

[Beemerguy53]

...Private citizens also kill very few offenders; the number of justifiable homicides compared to the number of violent crimes is minuscule and nearly irrelevant except for the tolerance of criminality it shows.

This is an excellent point...thanks for making it. I'm going to use this in the future when discussing this subject.

 

[The Big D]

Not sure why the full mag dump…

…was necessary but it had the intended result. Yes, I have watched the video multiple times.

Also not sure why someone is questioning how close he was to shooting the victim. He didn't; that is all that matters. PERIOD!

All said, the real question is how long the shooter's partner remains on the job? He was truly useless. And failed totally. Should be terminated in my opinion.

Background: I am regularly in Baltimore…5-6 times a year. Would NOT live there.

Be safe.