The July 6 letter writer who was so concerned about deadly force, thinking it is the “new norm,” is terrible confused. If my memory serves me correctly, some of the recent officer-involved shootings happened when officers were faced with an armed suspect.
I think it’s pretty ridiculous to assume that all the officers in our law enforcement agencies are loose cannons who shoot first and ask questions later. The writer fails to think of how it must feel to take a human life; officers deal with this in the back of their minds daily. They have to train long and hard to be able to think quickly and clearly when adrenaline is flowing through their system. Something the writer doesn’t consider and probably has never had to do.
I have worked in a law enforcement related job for 20 years and have worked closely with officers from numerous agencies at local, state and federal levels. I have watched a high school buddy as he started his career in law enforcement through to his retirement. I have never met an officer who felt it was the “norm” to shoot first, ask later.
The fact is most officers are devastated when they have to use deadly force. They carry that responsibility daily on broad shoulders and are doing a job not many are capable of doing. They put their lives on the line every time they put on the uniform. You should thank them, not condemn them!
Terry A. Morris
Lake Stevens
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