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Could/should a CCW help a Police Officer?

Hey guys, I'm a member of another forum and this is a very hot topic lol.

I'm going to post the exact question posted on the other forum and see what the responses here are like..

 

Bad scenario. If you do start firing the police officer is most likely to assume you are one of the Bad Guys and that he is fighting five BGs instead of four. Any arriving backup is also make the same assumption. Although my first thought is to help the officer (I am a former LEO and retired Marine), I think a call on 911 is first and let them know I am in area.

If officer goes down and the BGs start for him, I would probably engage but I still would most likely get shot by any arriving backup. People, even trained ones, are not in a real logical mode in a case like this and the arriving LEOs are likely to consider anybody not in blue as being a possible BG ( actually a very good survival mode!) A gun in your hand would probably clinch it for them that you are a legitimate target.

A real good opportunity here to make the 5 o'clock news as a dead hero!
 
Tough call. Normally, I'd say "HELL YEAH!", but with having brought up the "you might be seen as a bad guy" scenario, I might second-guess myself.
 
Take cover, #1
#2, shout to officer, "Want my help!"
answer yourself... "Right, I'll do that!"

At least in Kansas a private citizen is required by law to assist a LEO who asks for that help and the citizen has the full and same legal protection if they do what the officer says.
[Of course, if the officer wants you to delay a purse snatcher and shouts "Stop that man." and you shoot them you're on your own."]

2-2407. Assisting law enforcement officer. (1) A law enforcement officer making an arrest may command the assistance of any person who may be in the vicinity. (2) A person commanded to assist a law enforcement officer shall have the same authority to arrest as the officer who commands his assistance.
(3) A person commanded to assist a law enforcement officer in making an arrest shall not be civilly or criminally liable for any reasonable conduct in aid of the officer or any acts expressly directed by the officer.
History: L. 1970, ch. 129, § 22-2407; July 1.

". You are in a good spot to engage the bad guys."
If you can see and shoot at them, they can see and shoot at you too.

If the officer is alone and out-numbered 4 to 1, he'll be ducking for cover anyway if he is smart. Body armor notwithstanding.
 
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that is a reall good thought.

My first thought was to instanly think about hellping the long arm, but after reading the bad guy scenario I would have refrain from my initial reaction....


of coarse you could always put on your NYPD hat and start firing gangsta style
 
I think I'd get close to him (as possible) and yell "PLEASE DON'T CAP ME IN THE A**, I SWEAR I'M A GOOD GUY" lmao jk

I'd probably try to communicate with him to some extent, perhaps taking cover to his front/left or right so he can clearly see me aiming in the OPPOSITE direction of him....

I'm sure i'm going to get flamed for this but in this one rare instance one of those damn awful CCW badges might actually be somewhat useful....


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First thought, Make sure the Wiphe and Grand Kids are safe. Call 911 and watch what unfolds. Be ready to aid the LEO If required, or defend My family as required. If I was alone, Call 911 and make sure that the LEO is covered. Mind my own business... No way, can't turn my back on the LEO.
 
I can't imagine that I would be able to stop myself from joining the fray. Of course, for 23 years I would have been carrying a badge along with my off duty weapon. One thing I have given serious thought to in recent months is the value of the "bluetooth" earpiece I have for my cell phone. If I have this on and active, I could be in hands free constant contact with 911 operators, while engaging the bad guys. This would allow me to advise the dispatcher my position, description, etc, for relay to responding officers. Almost as good as having my old Motorola at my side.
 

ME TOO! lol I have a bluetooth and its uncomfortable if worn for a long period of time, but the advantages of having it on and having 9-1-1 on speed dial are limitless.

It allows you to focus on the threat- IE:

You're in a position to where you actually saw the BG coming and have him at gunpoint. You have 9-1-1 on your ear so you're able to contact LEO for help, not take your eyes off the target, and have a recorded record of what's happening. Truly a great idea, but like anything else if you don't have it on its not gonna help you when you need it, and thats the part I need to work on...
 
Only if invited

Don't come to a party you were not invited to.

1. When you divert the cops attention you are helping thuglies 1-4

2. If you act and it is only a training scenario you are screwed

3. If you get involved with out the proper training the cop is going to be more worried about you and your health than the BG's

4. If the cop says, "Help me"...agree...do what he asks, inform him you are armed and wait for instructions.
(the reason Marines are so effective in combat is the fact that they do what they are told and they trust their leadership...today is a good day to be a Marine)

5. by all means give aid to any wounded and escort bystanders to safety get the crowd out of the area...the biggest help you can give an LEO is not getting in his/her way.
 
Don't come to a party you were not invited to.

1. When you divert the cops attention you are helping thuglies 1-4

Agreed.
2. If you act and it is only a training scenario you are screwed
I don't think you'd be charged with anything. Although the training coordinator would definitely be out of a job.There is a reason departments don't to scenario training like this at public places.

3. If you get involved with out the proper training the cop is going to be more worried about you and your health than the BG's

I highly doubt that. I'd be concerned for you, but not more so than the BG's...I would assume you analyzed and accepted the risks, and if I lived i'd damn sure do everything possible to keep you from being charged.

Implied consent....if ever you see me in uniform being shot at by 4 guys you have my official "help me" request.
 
Officers saved by citizens.

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The Times-Tribune, Corbin, KY



The Post, Houston, TX

Ralph Festavan watched as a heroin peddler attacked a Shreveport, La., policeman and grabbed the officer's gun. Festavan ran to the patrol car parked nearby and got a shotgun with which he shot and killed the pusher.
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UPI, AL
In Saraland, Ala., the berserk husband of a woman charged with possession of illegal whisky killed one police officer and wounded another but, as he tried to make his escape, was shot dead by Carlos McDonald, the proprietor of a nearby shop.


UPI, AL



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I would have to say that I would observe until asked to help in just a gunfight. Maybe he and the BG's exchange a few volleys and the BG's flee, making it not necessary for me to assume the risk of liability for blasting one of them. If the situation permitted, I might yell to the LEO that I am an armed citizen with a CHP and see if he sent an invitation. If it is obvious that he is being "gunned down" then I'd jump in regardless to prevent his death or SBI.

It's really hard to answer "what if's" without actually being there as the situation unfolding would dictate.






This situation seems a bit on the "poking-you-nose-where-it-doesn't-belong" category. Unless I thought the officer was in distress, I'd wouldn't jump out and try to help. Maybe he had the situation under control, and now some yahoo with a gun rolls up and volunteers. The cop doesn't know if you are the BG's brother, a nut on the loose, an off duty cop, or just a medling citizen. If there was a struggle going on, that would be different.




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I agree- I had to re-read it to see if I missed something. That one I agree probably would have been better to watch from a distance until another LEO arrived, and if something happened take action...
 
This situation seems a bit on the "poking-you-nose-where-it-doesn't-belong" category.
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Like this one?

 

1. If the cop is under fire and the bad guy gets shot, he will be glad, and will quickly return his attention to the other bad guys.

2. If the police are having a live fire training exercise in a public place with the public present, they have committed multiple errors. I can't say it would never happen, but it would be incredibly stupid if they did this.
3. If the cop is under fire, that is what he is going to be worrying most about. Period.

4. Pretty good advice for the most part.

5. Also good advice.

I do not mean to denigrate your opinions on this, I assume that you are a cop, but I also base my opinions on 23 years as a cop, police trainer, supervisor etc. I would not blindly recommend that anyone present who happened to be armed intervene, but if you are comfortable with your level of skill and or training, then i would not discourage one to do so. As I said, if I were present, I would feel very comfortable with taking action in assisting the besieged officer.
 
2. If the police are having a live fire training exercise in a public place with the public present, they have committed multiple errors. I can't say it would never happen, but it would be incredibly stupid if they did this.

I don't see this as something that would ever happen here in my town in Nevada, or from where I hail in southern California. Is this something that happens where you reside?
 

Situation #2 is a little different ..."the suspect charged the cruiser and pointed a gun at the officer, who was still behind the wheel". In this case, the officers life was in imminent danger. In the first example, the officer is going about regular business. Your scenario in the first incident did not indicate that the officer was in any imminent danger, simply that he had the suspects at gunpoint. In the second scenario the officer is being "charged" (attacked) and the suspect is pointing a gun at the officer. who is in a position of vulnerability (still seated).

If you can't see the difference between a BG sitting in a vehicle with a gun in the rear Vs. a badguy charging you with a gun pointed at you then I recommend a refresher course.




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