April 15, 2015
By Phil Helsel
An Arizona police department (click here) released video Tuesday showing a police officer using a car to ram an armed suspect in February.
The video shows a Marana Police Department cruiser slamming into Mario Valencia, who was allegedly armed with a stolen gun and fired a shot in the air on Feb. 19....
I doubt a month of police training includes any information regarding the public and their behavior to stem police violence. Attempted murder is not good police work.
...basic recruit training - excluding any field training component - was 18 weeks across all academies with a range anywhere from four weeks to six months....
...There is no standard national curriculum, (click here) but the state may guide agencies in developing training programs. Each state has a Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) or similar entity which establishes minimum selection standards for law enforcement officers, sets minimum education and training standards, and serves as the certification or licensing authority for sworn personnel(1). These agencies may be helpful in getting an idea of your state’s approach to law enforcement training....
Police cars are sometimes used to block other cars, but, that ends where a suspect is on foot. There is no way this is good practice no matter how the officer involved attempts to justify it.
The idea a suspect can be mowed down by police is a violation. It is an attempt at homicide. Just because this one suspect survived the tactic doesn't mean that will be the result in the future.
I realize the suspect's power in the circumstances could have escalated if he found a hostage or police could be receiving gun fire in apprehending him, but, to take a suspect's life as disposable is not the method of law in the USA. Police are not judge and jury. When they attempt to be exactly that, there has to be consequences.
This suspect stole a gun. He doesn't have additional ammunition. The danger he posed was limited and it is that which should be a focus of apprehending him. No one suspect is the same as another. Each apprehension is dangerous and unique. Police work requires being able to move past the potential of the criminal and end that power. Police should be given every advantage to carry out their work safely, including bullet proof windshields and other bullet proof measures. Every officer should be going home safely to their families. That should be the focus of society, but, to take the lives of suspects in the process is not part of it when there are other measures that can be employed.
This suspect was armed and could result in a greater danger, but, it doesn't have to. Using a police car in such a method is not good police work. The suspect is not covered in body armor.
By Phil Helsel
An Arizona police department (click here) released video Tuesday showing a police officer using a car to ram an armed suspect in February.
The video shows a Marana Police Department cruiser slamming into Mario Valencia, who was allegedly armed with a stolen gun and fired a shot in the air on Feb. 19....
I doubt a month of police training includes any information regarding the public and their behavior to stem police violence. Attempted murder is not good police work.
...basic recruit training - excluding any field training component - was 18 weeks across all academies with a range anywhere from four weeks to six months....
...There is no standard national curriculum, (click here) but the state may guide agencies in developing training programs. Each state has a Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) or similar entity which establishes minimum selection standards for law enforcement officers, sets minimum education and training standards, and serves as the certification or licensing authority for sworn personnel(1). These agencies may be helpful in getting an idea of your state’s approach to law enforcement training....
The idea a suspect can be mowed down by police is a violation. It is an attempt at homicide. Just because this one suspect survived the tactic doesn't mean that will be the result in the future.
I realize the suspect's power in the circumstances could have escalated if he found a hostage or police could be receiving gun fire in apprehending him, but, to take a suspect's life as disposable is not the method of law in the USA. Police are not judge and jury. When they attempt to be exactly that, there has to be consequences.
This suspect stole a gun. He doesn't have additional ammunition. The danger he posed was limited and it is that which should be a focus of apprehending him. No one suspect is the same as another. Each apprehension is dangerous and unique. Police work requires being able to move past the potential of the criminal and end that power. Police should be given every advantage to carry out their work safely, including bullet proof windshields and other bullet proof measures. Every officer should be going home safely to their families. That should be the focus of society, but, to take the lives of suspects in the process is not part of it when there are other measures that can be employed.
This suspect was armed and could result in a greater danger, but, it doesn't have to. Using a police car in such a method is not good police work. The suspect is not covered in body armor.
