Today's headline story is tragic. (dailylocal.com) A young man is dead. It is not a happy ending for anyone. My thoughts are with his family, and I wish them the best. Having said that, from reading the story, the police did exactly what they are trained to do. They did exactly what they are supposed to do. They did exactly what they are expected to do. What would the headline say (and what comments would be made) if the police did not go to the home after being notified by Crisis that the individual posed a danger to himself of others? He lived in a residential community, had roommates, had some sort of mental or emotional issue(s) that Crisis alerted police to, and he had a gun.
The concept of an SWAT team was developed by the LAPD in California years ago. SWAT stands for Special Weapons And Tactics. More commonly today we refer to these teams as ERT (emergency response team). Theses teams are better manned and equipped to handle emergency and violent situations. The point is that a patrol officer is just that - a patrol officer. Liken it to your family doctor. If you go to see your doctor for an earache and h finds out it's a brain tumor, would you prefer a brain surgeon perform surgery or would you just stick with your family doctor?
One reader's comment suggested that because the individual ONLY had a handgun, that the ERT team and their weapons was an over-reaction. That type of comment is ridiculous. Forget what you've seen in movies like "Lethal Weapon" or "Cobra". Police officers - too many police officers - are killed every year by individuals with ONLY handguns.
As tragic and unfortunate as yesterdays events were, it could have gone down like this:
Crisis alerts police to individual who may be a threat to himself or others. Police arrive and speak to individual who needs and wants help for his situation. Individual goes with Crisis and receives help. End of story. It's not the ERT team that altered the course of events.
Again, my thoughts and condolences to the family.
John Q, I completely agree with you - I was seething in the shower after reading that dork's comment in the DLN story. "Okay, next time there's 'a little handgun', let's give you a butter knife and send YOU out to deal with the situation, tough guy!" I wanted to say. But didn't, because I think they were just trolling.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, I agree with you that SWAT/ERT teams do what they are trained to do. They _should_ do what they are trained to do; it keeps them safe. Once the decision has been made to deploy them, there's not a whole lot of flexibility, it's just a question of seeing what's going to happen.
As you say, this is a tragic situation. I'm glad no officers, neighbors, or bystanders were hurt.
Likewise John. Thanks for the comment
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