The Shooting Gallery: Police Violence MEGATHREAD

[Habbaku]

Yes.

Is there a reason why they don't show up with shields in cases such as these?
I am guessing the prevalence of guns and the frequent shooters on campus means you never quite know.

Campus PDs don't typically have that sort of gear, I believe. I might be wrong, but I don't think GA Tech's does. They don't even have tasers, but I think that might be changing soon.

[Oexmelin]

@ Cdm Could you explain why?

[Oexmelin]

Campus PDs don't typically have that sort of gear, I believe. I might be wrong, but I don't think GA Tech's does. They don't even have tasers, but I think that might be changing soon.

Considering that university campuses are full of 20 somethings, which is typically the age a large number of mental health issues manifest themselves, you'd think that campus pds would/should have as much non-lethal gear as possible.

[Habbaku]

I certainly wish that were the case. 

[CountDeMoney]

@ Cdm Could you explain why?

Because this isn't Medieval Times, that's why.  Shields are used in riots to protect the line from debris, or to protect tactical officers in close quarters breaches.
They stop bullets, so the officers behind the officer holding the shield can shoot.

Why don't you tell me why exactly you think a shield would be helpful in this instance?  How do you envision a shield being helpful in this situation, other than getting in the way?

[CountDeMoney]

Campus PDs don't typically have that sort of gear, I believe. I might be wrong, but I don't think GA Tech's does. They don't even have tasers, but I think that might be changing soon.

A Tech spokesman said campus police do not carry Tasers, or stun guns, but are equipped with pepper spray.

http://www.ajc.com/news/local/shooting-georgia-tech-student-stirs-old-debate-with-new-questions/L4ATXB1Ln4leXZdxL7ooqI/

[The Brain]

I agree with CdM that it's better to put your points into 2H weapons. With decent constitution you should be able to take a few hits, and dealing the extra damage is so worth it.

[grumbler]

I think that, if you forced all cops to spend a perk on shield bash, they'd be able to handle situations like this without shooting.

[CountDeMoney]

Cops aren't tanks, they're DPS.

[derspiess]

Is there a reason why they don't show up with shields in cases such as these?

Yes, there is a reason.  Because it would be stupid.

[The Minsky Moment]

Question for CDM:

If police are certain there is a gun in the car within reach of the suspect's hand, would they approach the car with their own guns drawn or would the approach with the guns holstered but with hand on the gun ready to draw?

[sbr]

What color is the driver's skin?

[The Minsky Moment]

A key element of the defense was the testimony by Stockley that his partner said "gun" - meaning that the partner saw a gun in the car, and that Stockley himself "saw the driver's hand on a gun on the passenger's seat as the Buick drove by him."

But the video shows that both Stockley and his partner did not draw their weapons but kept them holstered as they approached the case.  Stockley testified that his gun was in his holster when he got to the window.  My question is would that be normal procedure if you had just seen a gun in the "driver's hand" on the passenger seat of the car?

[Oexmelin]

Why don't you tell me why exactly you think a shield would be helpful in this instance?  How do you envision a shield being helpful in this situation, other than getting in the way?

I don't know "exactly" - this was the reason I was asking you in the first place. What I do know is that shields do seem to be used in the UK for that very purpose.

https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/12/nyregion/us-police-leaders-visiting-scotland-get-lessons-on-avoiding-deadly-force.html?mcubz=0

https://www.quora.com/How-do-British-police-officers-manage-to-stop-knife-wielding-suspects-safely-when-they-dont-carry-firearms-A-knife-wielding-suspect-is-likely-to-be-shot-by-North-American-police#!n=24

[Jacob]

We have a fair bit of historical evidence that shields are good counters to knives and clubs etc, so it doesn't seem completely outlandish that police could use them effectively against knife or club wielding individuals, if they know that's what they're up against.