What, then would be the proper way to arrest people? Make sure that cops don't outnumber suspects to make it "fair"?
So you think ALL arrests of any kind for any crime should be done with tactical squads with drawn guns? How about traffic stops too, while you're at it?
actually for a victimless non-violent crime like this, you just go to his office and arrest him. Armed takedown for gambling? I guess next we will see armed takedowns of grannies for bingo.
I know there are those who never saw a police murder that wasn't justified, but the entire arrest tactic is completely out of proportion to the underlying crime.
While it obviously depends on the situation, coming in like the Israelis raiding Hamas, is not my idea of normal police action. The guy was, at best, a bookie. You use intelligence and discretion. You know your 'target'. Most arrests in most jurisdictions were once made by knocking on the door *and waiting for the residents to answer it*, not by breaking the door down and charging in with guns drawn. When not necessary, that gets people killed, including police officers, at least in jurisdictions where law abiding ordinary folks are armed.
Case in point, Mt. Carmel, Waco Texas, where the local sheriff could have easily knocked on the door and arrested Koresh, except for the minor problem of his not being the subject of an arrest warrant. Even the BATF could have done that. Instead they went in with three trailers full of agents, armed with M-16s, and starting the "search" by shooting the dogs and breaking into an upper floor room well away from the front door.