WTF... I feel sorry for the officer, honestly... he sounded like a Good Joe, but I an convinced the incident is a result of poor training. Good training, poor training... no training, your liable and responsible for every round that leaves the barrel, gotta own it.

EB

Things like this should never happen of course-- but it's just a sign of just how little training some officers receive.

One trainer I worked with really emphasized keeping the finger far away from the trigger if you're in a ready position. Not just along the frame but high enough to the point the finger was on the ejection port (!). His reasoning is that with a disarm attempt, or if you're nervous out of your mind, adrenaline can make your whole fist seize up and your finger could slip onto the trigger.

I didn't believe him at first but seeing negligent discharges like this makes me think twice about where to put my trigger finger.

Comeon guys !


That could easily be me or you behind the trigger !


Was it unintended ?

Yes !

Was it unnecessary ?

Yes !


But, it happens !


I think we can all agree on the fact that he should not have had his finger inside the t/g ... Yet !

Twice? I never picked up on that. So the cop shot him twice? I need to go back to the video. It appeared to be a single sympathetic response.

From what I saw the cop didnt intend on shooting him, but that doesnt matter, the guy got shot.

I do feel sorry for the cop, and for the biker. And for a million other things that happen in this universe.

Of course, its easy to be a backyard quarterback when none of us were there.

EB

Anyone interested in learning about police shootings (by any definition including what happened in the OP), check out this article. Excellent reading and worth sticking with it.

One quote: "A study of all firearms discharges in federal agencies (FBI, DEA, ATF) from 2000-2003 found that out of 267 total discharges, 102 of them were accidental discharges. Weapon handling skills and discipline are universally lacking."

Dynamics of Police Shootings | Active Response Training

My main point of all this is that it's too bad that many police agencies just don't have enough resources to get officers better training

Originally Posted by NWGlocker

My main point of all this is that it's too bad that many police agencies just don't have enough resources to get officers better training

My point exactly. Not a cop bashing statement, but... there is the common misconception that someone that earned a badge automagically is a good shooter, and that is simply not the case.

From time to time, we have had an LEO come shoot USPSA with us, for the experience I guess.. they shoot rookie level. I presume ego is dented and they dont return, I have no idea... but mostly, the run of the mill LEO doesnt get the necessary training *or* experience to be a reasonable shooter.

I do wish it were not so, these are the people we trust to protect us and they deserve better.

EB