[chrisser]

what are the cops supposed to do when an apparently deranged individual is walking on the street brandishing a deadly weapon? say, have a good day sir, and let him attack passersby?

We don't need police at all then. If we're just going to shoot to kill people who pose a threat, any moron with a gun can do that, and they'd probably do it for free. If you really want a dude in uniform, we could just arm mall cops and be done with it at minimum wage.

Police are supposed to have the training and mindset to deal with situations with some degree of skill and discretion, and that's why they get the salaries, bennies and protection that we don't give to, say, mall cops or the average guy on the street.

I'm sure there are plenty of good cops, and I'm sure it's not an easy job, but I find it unreasonable that two trained police offers could find no other way to deal with a lone guy with a set of hedge clippers whom they had isolated from the public, than to shoot him dead in the street.

[cpdiii]

Police are supposed to have the training and mindset to deal with situations with some degree of skill and discretion, and that's why they get the salaries, bennies and protection that we don't give to, say, mall cops or the average guy on the street.

A friend of mine was a cop for many years. He never fired his weapon at a civilian. He was very proud of his ability to de-escalate a situation and get the suspect in cuffs without using his weapon. He was a good cop. He now resides in cop heaven.