I wasn't trying to defend the guy's actions, I was merely stating what *I* would do.
This next isn't directed at you, it's a general comment on the thread:
Let's say the cops had intel saying that this guy was dealing a boatload of drugs out of his house. I think that's a fair assumption since the cops generally don't do predawn raids over a couple lousy ounces of pot. We all know that where there are drugs, there are a) guns and b) money.
So, the cops make the decision to raid as opposed to picking him up off the street. Personally, I'd have rather gotten him on the street - less dangerous to all involved. So, the cops raid the guy's house, and he goes for a gun. He gets shot.
In light of what the cops found, vs. what they expected to find, it was a damn shame that he got killed. However (and keep in mind, we don't know what the cops actually expected to find), the raid itself may have been justified based on what they thought would be there. To borrow a phrase from the war, it was an intelligence failure. He was probably dealing - not many 20 somethings just happen to have baggies and postage meters unless they're dealing. He didn't get killed over two stinkin' ounces of dope - he got killed because he went for a gun.
picking up a suspect on the street would be too easy. If they did that, they couldn't justify all the neat toys and training they get to buy with taxpayer funds!
"He was probably dealing - not many 20 somethings just happen to have baggies and postage meters unless they're dealing. He didn't get killed over two stinkin' ounces of dope - he got killed because he went for a gun."
I agree. However, I wonder why they thought "Special Weapons And Tactics" were necessary. Because he had a CCW?
Are you an idiot, or do you just play one on FreeRepublic? I guess that also means that you think all black guys dance good, and if you want to carry a hockey stick, you must be Canadian.
You do sound like a typical LEO, though. Shoot first, sort it all out later. Heaven forbid, even considering that the LEO's could make a mistake...
To borrow a phrase from the war, it was an intelligence failure.
Yep, but it seems to be coming from your direction. My oldest son is a SWAT officer, and has done no knocks. He leads the group, now, and I do not believe he would make this same error. They rely on facts...
Your post makes more sense than the police planting a gun just so they can shoot a guy with a couple ounces of marijuana. I'm not certain it wasn't better that they confronted him in his home rather than in public, since they probably don't want to risk innocent by-stander injuries if he pulled a gun.