Thread: AOS shooting -TVOne sunday program

Originally Posted by Michael B

One of the best comments in this thread!




I don't know you. I don't know your history, experience etc. But I do know the police have the right to use deadly force to arrest or prevent escape of an offender (Sections 39 and 40 of the Crimes Act) while those called to assist police do not!

Therefore your comment that police have no more rights under the Crimes Act is incorrect.

Sorry for the delay but I have been away. My background is fairly well known so I won't go into it. I am sure you could find out if you made some inquiries. I reiterate that the Police have no more rights than any other citizen when it comes to taking a life, nor do they have any more rights regarding discharging a firearm with reckless disregard. They do have powers of arrest and they may lawfully use such force as is reasonably necessary to effect such arrest, but they may not use deadly force unless there are reasonable grounds to fear for someone's life, just the same as you or me (remembering that citizens also have powers of arrest under certain circumstances). It is worth noting that the Police have duty to uphold the law, not to act as judge and jury without being answerable to the public. I don't have any problem with the Police shooting at offenders under the appropriate circumstances, but they must do so without endangering any innocent parties. Police bullets that have missed their intended targets have done quite a bit of collateral damage in past years, and unless they tidy their act up, will continue to do so.