12-01-2009, 07:22 PM
it doesn't work as a deterrent.
Nothing works as a deterrent if not used often enough.
I'm still surprised that he was able to take out four officers at once... especially them being highly trained officers.
I'm not. Surprise holds a tremendous tactical advantage. And "highly trained" is a relative term. Even if these were SWAT officers, without intense training such as that of a special ops military unit, it's very hard to process and assess the threat, and then move faster than a previously unknown threat that already had position advantage and acquisition.
Reaction time is limited to the speed of the brain's processing ability, muscle tone, and the effects of adrenaline on the body. Being caught in an ambush and seeing partners being shot has a terrible, impeding effect on one's psyche. Without combat experience, this would almost always mean the suspect will have the advantage over an intended victim.
Add to that the fact that most police don't ever *really*, seriously consider that they will be shot. Ever. Because most are not. So it takes intense focus to return fire, especially if you or your partner are shot. Unless the shot(s) are fatal or mechanically debilitating, it's very often possible to return controlled fire before shock overcomes a shooting victim.
Unfortunately, while we can't speak to the ability of these four officers at this time, scientifically and practically speaking, it's very easy for one gunman to kill four armed officers. It could easily happen again.
And that's another tragedy altogether.
Nothing works as a deterrent if not used often enough.
I'm still surprised that he was able to take out four officers at once... especially them being highly trained officers.
I'm not. Surprise holds a tremendous tactical advantage. And "highly trained" is a relative term. Even if these were SWAT officers, without intense training such as that of a special ops military unit, it's very hard to process and assess the threat, and then move faster than a previously unknown threat that already had position advantage and acquisition.
Reaction time is limited to the speed of the brain's processing ability, muscle tone, and the effects of adrenaline on the body. Being caught in an ambush and seeing partners being shot has a terrible, impeding effect on one's psyche. Without combat experience, this would almost always mean the suspect will have the advantage over an intended victim.
Add to that the fact that most police don't ever *really*, seriously consider that they will be shot. Ever. Because most are not. So it takes intense focus to return fire, especially if you or your partner are shot. Unless the shot(s) are fatal or mechanically debilitating, it's very often possible to return controlled fire before shock overcomes a shooting victim.
Unfortunately, while we can't speak to the ability of these four officers at this time, scientifically and practically speaking, it's very easy for one gunman to kill four armed officers. It could easily happen again.
And that's another tragedy altogether.