@KNOWITALL . Lethal force, is only something that can be justified/authorized, by an officer feeling that their own life, or the lives of others, are in imminent danger…
However. It’s a tough to prosecute, an officer, if they say that they felt that way, in their statement. Especially if the suspect, has not been totally searched, and decided to be free of a weapon.
Generally, a subject is frisked, after being cuffed.
If the subject is not searched, and they run off, before being cuffed, the law will typically give the benefit of the doubt, to the LEO. A subject that runs, possibly is doing so, to try to throw away contraband i.e. an unregistered firearm.
The subject may be trying to get distance, to turn, and use the hypothetical firearm, on the officer, or others…
Generally speaking, shooting a fleeing subject, is not a good defense. But. Can hold up, in court, as justified.
As as far as a cuffed subject, it’s harder to defend lethal action, by an officer. But. There are many variables. A cuffed subject, can still pose a danger. Think of a large male (cuffed,) versus a much smaller LEO…
I’m a big guy. I’m 6’5, and have been as big as 315 lbs. I could, in theory, still smash a 180 lb officer against a car, and severely damage them. Even if cuffed…
I can think of dozens of situations, where a average sized man, after being cuffed, took 3–6 officers, to gain control of them. My protocol, was to take any resistant person, to the ground.
Keep in mind that the subject may be on drugs, that give them a LOT of fight. A 23 year old man, who has been on coke, for 3 days, is like a crazed animal…
Now. Having said that. Once a subject is subdued, the mission becomes, keep them under control, without killing them…
And try, to get them into the back of a squad car. Even then, they will smash their head on the glass, and kick… If they persist in being violent, we place them, in “the chair,” at the jail.
It’s basically a chair, with straps, and it immobilizes them. Until they calm down. They are placed in cold rooms. The cold, will sap their strength, and usually calm them down. After being placed in the chair, a medical technician, will assess the subject, and even draw blood, to see how to continue.
Typically, “spit masks,” are placed, on the subject, to prevent biting, and spitting.
Moving forward. If a subject is subdued, or cooperative, they will be put in an isolated cell, until they are deemed fit, to go through the process.
Some of the scenes, I see, are a gross overuse, of officer induced violence. Floyd, being a sad example. Once a subject is subdued/compliant, it is time to ease up, and treat the subject accordingly…
I can attest, that some subjects, will lull officers, into thinking that they are compliant, only to erupt into more violent behavior.
But. When someone complains, about the inability to breathe, or that they are in medical distress, you HAVE TO EASE UP…
IMO. If you can’t understand that, you shouldn’t be a LEO. Period….
There are many scenarios, in which there is no “right” course, of action.
A coworker, of mine, killed a man, whilst working at a strip club.
The subject entered the establishment, intoxicated. He was removed.
A bit later, he entered in a crowd, and wasn’t noticed.
He promptly licked, a female bartender, and was thrown out.
A while later, he was refused entry. He “charged the door.”
One of our officers, pushed him backwards.
He landed, on the back of his head, and died…
The officer, who pushed him, was found guilty of manslaughter.
That officer, was fired, and spent 3 years in prison…
Law enforcement, is a tough job.
Not all, are out to kill…
It’s a tough job. Often, it’s a thankless job. As I said, there isn’t always a “right” decision.
I’m not condoning, all of their actions. There are certainly bad apples. But. Sometimes, there are unintended consequences…
It’s a mess….