Officer fires gun into air

[jednp]

This happened in my town. they don't think we're competent enough to carry concealed weapons here, but apparently it's OK for officers to fire their guns into the air, and also to threaten to shoot someone simply because they ignore commands to stop. This officer has watched too many movies. that's the only place warning shots are ok, and the whole "stop or I'll shoot". Believe it or not, there are people saying that they support what this officer did. I wonder if they'd still feel that way had her shot hit and killed someone innocent a block or 2 over?

http://feeds.omahanews.net/?rid=eb4a...7f01322b18&f=1

[DoctorDawg]

Man, I hate reading about people firing into the air. They seem to think that bullet just disappears up there. It will hit the ground at somewhere between 300 and 400 ft/sec, and nobody knows where...nothing to write home about in terms of muzzle velocity, but still plenty fast enough to kill somebody. One doesn't like to second-guess a LEO when one wasn't there and one's @ss wasn't on the line, but it seems like she coulda fired into the ground, or something.

[jednp]

I'll second guess a LEO, even if their ass is on the line. Which, I don't believe this officers was. You never fire into the air. And to top it off, she has to do the whole macho beverly hills cop thing and threaten to shoot if they don't stop. Last time I checked, someone not obeying your command to stop, does not give you the permission to shoot them. Not unless they are running at you and you told them to stop already. But threatening to drop someone running away, when they were only involved in a fight.. is wrong. I hope this officer gets repremanded for this hard. When it comes to firearms safety, LEO should be the ones you know you can count on to follow the rules.

Similar to this story, OPD officers exposed their private parts, and fondled the breasts of a suspected prostitute to prove to her that they weren't cops. It's amazing the conduct our police dept thinks is ok.

[Zinji]

She f***ed up. No doubt about it.

[Mercmar]

Originally Posted by jednp

I'll second guess a LEO, even if their ass is on the line. Which, I don't believe this officers was. You never fire into the air. And to top it off, she has to do the whole macho beverly hills cop thing and threaten to shoot if they don't stop. Last time I checked, someone not obeying your command to stop, does not give you the permission to shoot them. Not unless they are running at you and you told them to stop already. But threatening to drop someone running away, when they were only involved in a fight.. is wrong. I hope this officer gets repremanded for this hard. When it comes to firearms safety, LEO should be the ones you know you can count on to follow the rules.

Similar to this story, OPD officers exposed their private parts, and fondled the breasts of a suspected prostitute to prove to her that they weren't cops. It's amazing the conduct our police dept thinks is ok.

So, you think it's wrong for an officer to "threaten" to shoot? If she hadn't shot into the air, I don't think any vibrations she made in the air would have made any difference. What difference does it make if she threatens to shoot?

[jednp]

Originally Posted by Mercmar

So, you think it's wrong for an officer to "threaten" to shoot? If she hadn't shot into the air, I don't think any vibrations she made in the air would have made any difference. What difference does it make if she threatens to shoot?

What difference does it make? Because she doesn't have the legal right to just shoot because someone doesn't stop. Had he not stopped, she probably would have shot him in the back. Her macho Beverly Hills Cop attitude belongs in the movies. I think that's where she got her training from. If the guy had a weapon, or was running toward her, or sitting there hitting another guy with a bat... that's when stop or I'll shoot is used. Not when someone is running away. Police routinely call off chases because it is too dangerous. Yet a person running away, gets shot if they don't stop? This officer needs a refresher course in the rules.

[dave_in_delaware]

"The white dude started running, she told him to stop and he was arguing with her," Exline said. "She shot her gun off to stop him. From there, she said, 'The next time I tell you, I'm gonna drop you.'"

WTF??

Does that even make sense? How's the guy arguing w/ her AND running AWAY?? And last time I checked, it wasn't OK to shoot someone in the back when they're running away from you.

Sounds like this woman cop needs to take a break from her 21 year career, before she "drops" someone just because she broke a nail and no one listens to her. Nothing against most women out there on the force, but there ARE some women out there who shouldn't be in the jobs they are, especially when they can't keep their emotions at bay.

To me, it sounds like she had her feminine emotions hurt (by being ignored) and resorted to a VERY wrong way to handle things and get the men to pay attention to her. Threatening them with "dropping them next time" is NOT the way to handle things. I wonder if that's how she handles all her cases, over the last 21 years?? With the threat of violence.

I'd be pi$$ed if a cop threatened me with being dropped next time. Especially over something like this. I think the investigation needs to show some sort of problem, and get that loose cannon of the streets.

Just my 2¢. Flame away.

[Mercmar]

Originally Posted by jednp

What difference does it make? Because she doesn't have the legal right to just shoot because someone doesn't stop. Had he not stopped, she probably would have shot him in the back. Her macho Beverly Hills Cop attitude belongs in the movies. I think that's where she got her training from. If the guy had a weapon, or was running toward her, or sitting there hitting another guy with a bat... that's when stop or I'll shoot is used. Not when someone is running away. Police routinely call off chases because it is too dangerous. Yet a person running away, gets shot if they don't stop? This officer needs a refresher course in the rules.

Let's go back and do a little reading-for-comprehension on my previous post. Do you see anything there that indicates that I hold the opinion that she can just shoot somebody who's running away? Read carefully, now; it's not rocket science!

[jednp]

Originally Posted by Mercmar

Let's go back and do a little reading-for-comprehension on my previous post. Do you see anything there that indicates that I hold the opinion that she can just shoot somebody who's running away? Read carefully, now; it's not rocket science!

You're right, it's not rocket science. Considering the fact that she threatened to drop him if he didn't stop after she asked next, that is what we're talking about. Not an officer "threatening" to shoot, under any circumstances that might happen in. So, lets stay on topic. It's talking about shooting someone running away. So talking about threatening to shoot someone, regarding this story, any person who at least has middle school science experience, would know that's what this is about when it comes to threatening to shoot.

[Mike TRT]

Originally Posted by jednp

OPD officers exposed their private parts, and fondled the breasts of a suspected prostitute to prove to her that they weren't cops. It's amazing the conduct our police dept thinks is ok.

warning shots are a big no-no, against all general orders and the law. its basically reckless discharge of a firearm.

but the second part of the post is what Im questioning: that is perfectly legal and happens all the time (I used to love undercover work )
if they're working some "rub off" joint, BS massage parlor or hookers, how else to get the job done? and a few perks to go along with the great pay and benefits? is it immoral? maybe, to people who wouldn't do the job, but its not illegal.