I'm not understanding the grounds for punishment for the two SWAT officers?
I mean, unfortunately the next school shooting is on the case of being "inevitable" and now we're going to throw this crap in the back of the minds of first responders and etc?
"If I do something, if I try to save people right this moment... I'm going to get into trouble" I mean, Hell I'm sorry but the pot full of crap is overflowing here. Shame on you Florida. Get your freaking act together.
Oh, this is almost everywhere to varying degrees.
I try not to air some of my own dept's laundry but let me give you guys a little insight as to how it works for us. I go to work knowing that if I get in a shootout with someone, no matter how justified I was, my own Chief will never publicly back or support me. In the last 4 years we've had 3 Officer involved shootings.
The first involved a mentally ill man who charged at the officers with a pair of those orange shears grandma has. Eyewitnesses verified the officer's accounts of what happened.
Chief never made a public statement in support of the Officers (though was quoted as asking a supervisor as the Chief got on scene "Why are all these patrol cars here?")
Second, Officer on patrol sees a validated gang member with outstanding warrants for dealing crack cocaine. He gets out, chases him on foot, and when the suspect tries to jump the fence, he grabs him and pulls him down. As they get back to their feet, suspect pulls out a gun (previously reported as stolen) and tries to get a shot off, Officer manages to get his off first.
No public statement in support of the Officer.
Third incident, buddy of mine goes to a domestic dispute, fem ale caller says the guy has assaulted her and might be armed. While talking to her, the guy returns, Officer says "hey, let me talk to you", suspect runs, foot chase ensues, as my buddy gets up on him, he pulls a gun (also previously reported as stolen), shoots my buddy in the leg. Second officer rolls up at this time and puts down the suspect.
No public statement of support from the Chief.
Now, we have what's called a 5 day report. Basically its a letter drafted by the Chief and sent to the City Manager that gives an overview of the incident and where the investigation stands at that point. This letter is always made public and is always expressed in terms of the investigation still in progress.
The Chief would not publicly state that the officer in the first incident did what they could, but the suspect forced the decision... wouldn't even commend the officer in the second for attempting to get a known, violent, wanted person off the street... wouldn't commend the officer in the third for looking out for the domestic violence victim.
Nope, not a word of support publicly.
Not even a word of support privately.
But you did see the Chief publicly hugging the mother of cocaine dealer who was accusing the department of a cover up.
It can be a pretty lonely time on the road knowing that in a life or death situation, you can act morally, ethically, legally, at great peril to yourself, AND act in the way you've been trained, the person who tried to get your name on a memorial is going to get more support from the Chief than you will.
One of the worst parts of my job is sometimes my department makes me choose between what's right and what's right.
