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Boy I can see another heated debate about to start on CD. My opinion, it would depend on so many circumstances, but generally yes. You commit a crime, fleeing with out being told to stop or not, cops have the right to shoot. I know it sounds awful, but what prevents that criminal from fleeing and breaking the law again? We are not talking minor crimes btw.
I have the feeling the OP posted this just to start another debate, maybe I am wrong.
For suspects that have committed violent crimes such as murder or rape--Yes. Other crimes not so sure.
Of course, the law varies from state to state, and circumstances can vary wildly.
Note that your hypothetical involves 'suspects', meaning they are reasonably suspected of committing the crime. For the most part, police officers are not to be an instant jury, judge and executioner.
If, by chance, you are thinking of the shooting in the back of that escaped murderer in New York state, that is quite different. Once you are convicted of a crime, you lose many rights. When you enter the prison, you lose even more rights. If you escape from that prison, you essentially forfeit whatever rights you had left. That fellow was not a 'suspect' in the legal sense. He was not 'suspected' of escaping, for instance.
No. Deadly forced should only be a reaction to potential deadly force. Running isn't going to kill anyone. A cop should be able to run too.
Cops are paid to enforce the law. The law says everyone is entitled to a fair trial. Getting shot for running from a cop (a relatively small crime) is doing the exact opposite of their job.
No. Deadly forced should only be a reaction to potential deadly force. Running isn't going to kill anyone. A cop should be able to run too.
Cops are paid to enforce the law. The law says everyone is entitled to a fair trial. Getting shot for running from a cop (a relatively small crime) is doing the exact opposite of their job.
The law also say there are instances where a police officer can use deadly force on a fleeing suspect . Sometimes running can be escaping like in the New York case.
The law also say there are instances where a police officer can use deadly force on a fleeing suspect . Sometimes running can be escaping like in the New York case.
But wasn't the case in New York dealing with someone who was already convicted? I'd say there's more wiggle room if they're convicted vs. just being suspected. Imagine a scenario where there's a murder suspect who runs and he's shot only to find out a day later that he was not in fact the murderer.
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