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Police officers rights?
A friend and I were having a discussion about police officers today. The question came up as to criminals running away after they are either stopped or questioned. The question is after reasonable questioning and knowledge the criminal bolts do the police officers have the right to shoot the person after they have been told to stop in an allotted amount of time? For example an officer stops a man and finds he is wanted for rape. Once the person has been identified as the criminal and they run and police give chase and say stop lets say 5 times and it doesn't look like they are going to should the officer be allowed to shoot the person to either slow them down or stop them? Please let me know and also let me know if you are a democrat or republican. This pertains to our whole question. Thanks
5 Answers
- BruceLv 71 decade agoFavorite Answer
The US Supreme Court addressed that issue in Tennessee v. Garner (1984).
Police can not shoot a fleeing suspect unless allowing him to escape would create a danger to society.
That is a US Supreme Court decision, and has no bearing on political beliefs.
Source(s): Law enforcement since 1991 - 1 decade ago
@Bruce, I love your case law answers, they eliminate any argument! Thanks brother!
To elaborate on danger to society, an example would be if a serial killer that escaped from prison wrote about escaping from jail and promised to kill someone. As a police officer, I would be hard-pressed to find a situation where I felt it was necessary to shoot at a fleeing suspect, even if it was a felon. Besides, we have a saying: you can outrun me but you can't outrun my radio.
And as Bruce said, this has nothing to do with political party.
- 1 decade ago
Well I watch this female cop show and they usual chase them so I think they should chase them, after a while I think they should shoot. I am 15 years old and am a democrat.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Hell no they should not be allowed to gun down someone who is running unless they pose an immediate threat; not allowing them to do something has never stopped them before, but allowing it will make them worse.
I am not a dem nor rep.
There is enough of this crap that goes on already:
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- Anonymous1 decade ago
Do you not read the papers or listen to the news? The police are allowed to gun you down in cold blood. threaten you at will, shoot people of there own porch , murder there wives, Need I go on. Independent! And yes they need to be put & brought under control.
