[maica]

Are you aware of the facts that Lt Col West reported himself to his superior officer, and that the 'prisoner' in question was an Iraqi policeman assigned by the Coalition Forces to his position? Therefore he was a threat inside the perimeter of the troops under command of Col West, not just some local off the street.

[Ispy4u]

And that threat, the policeman, was already in custody and therefore no longer an "inside the perimeter" threat. If he was concerned more policemen could be involved he could instruct his men accordingly until he got more information. He didn't have to get the information then and there.

Still no one will give me the answer to why LTC West chose the "solution" that wasn't really his to choose. I think he was flustered and enraged with the fact that he was personally targeted, and lost his bearing.