I have read the various postings and identified the different agendas’ of the posters. I have heard everything from pigs and physical fitness tests to name calling mixed between some very good articulated arguments from different sides of the OP. I figured I would skip any response because I was not sure I could add anything thought provoking or positive to wherever this thread leads, but after some careful thought I figured I would throw my hat into the ring as well. And speaking of agendas’ it is clear there was an agenda on the part of the two men encountered in the video. So everyone here seems to have an agenda.
First, my opinions (agenda) are coming from that of a "pig" with 20 years on the job. I am currently a Sgt. in a department that covers a population of 32,000 but due to the resort/tourist trade summer numbers pop to 100k or more. I supervise 4-8 officers on any given shift in a community that covers the very rich down to the very poor. We have a huge drug problem and with that a marked jump in violent crimes, armed robbery and shootings. More or less I work in “Anytown USA”. I have been involved in two shooting incidents, one where I was the victim and one where I was not. Both cases when through the court of public opinion, second guessing, Monday morning quarterbacks and media attention. With that said I still feel no more qualified to render an opinion then Orkan, 0311 or anyone else here. What I do want to do is point out the one thing that stands out to me, PERCEPTION.
I am not talking about the Totality Triangle or the perception of the officers, but the perception of civilian vs. pig and even among the pigs and civilians themselves. First, due to my prior circumstances, I will not render a judgment on any situation until I know all the facts and not knowing all the facts here I will neither attack, nor defend the officers involved. What I will point out is that the officers did not just arbitrary decide to pick on some poor smuck who was openly carrying. This was not a premeditated act on the part of the officers; however, it was on the part of the individuals encountered. Yes, it is an open carry State, as is MA the state I work/live in, but they had to know that carry in the open is going to cause a reaction due to…. Perception. In fact it appears the reaction was part of their agenda. When that reaction came the officers also had a perception, and right or wrong took an action. To simply drive by, open carry state or not, would have been at best negligent considering they were dispatched to the scene by a citizen complaint. The citizen was alarmed, at least in some part, because of their perception of armed men.
In the state of MA anyone owning a firearm or rifle must also be properly licensed. I believe that to be true of most States. It is an open carry state but you must carry your license at all times that you carry your firearm and you must produce said document at the request of any law enforcement officer. I am not sure what the laws in that jurisdiction are, but what I can say is that open carry or not officers have a duty to the public when they are alarmed to conduct at the very least a threshold inquiry. The reaction of the party encountered can give rise to reasonable suspicion or even probable cause. How do I know? Because that is close to the circumstances of my situation and had I taken a more proactive “aggressive” posture I would not have been shot. I am not condoning the actions of the officers in the video, simply pointing out a perception sometimes missed by the civilian population. Pigs respond, pigs make judgments and sometimes pigs get shot.
Yes the “shot you in the head” comments could have been better articulated, but the officer was there to assess the situation and two heavily armed men in a down town area is at the very least a stressful call for service. But to fully understand the situation look at it from the perception of the party that called; “help, guns”; the officers, “crap, these guys are armed” and the two individuals involved, “I hope this gets our message across”. All three acted within the confines of their perception.
Orkan I understand your point of view, respect it but the cops had to check it out. 0311, buddy the streets are hard and yes we need to act when called upon, safety first (I have two .380 holes to show what letting your guard down can do). And to alarmed citizens everywhere, not everyone with a gun is a threat, but when you see one and call 911 as the yellow stain spreads around the crotch of your pants us pigs will go check it out.
So let’s get a grip on perspective and realize it changes with viewpoint. Want to change perspective, change the angle you view something from.
Sully
