Saturday, October 11, 2014

No Knock Raids Decrease Officer Safety



Charles Dinwiddie,
killed during no knock, SWAT raid 

A police officer's job is dangerous enough as it is.  Arbitrarily decreasing "officer safety" is foolish.

Safe situation: two people sleeping soundly in their home

Dangerous situation: two people being awakened from a deep sleep by multiple armed men who broke into their home under the cover of darkness

A safe environment was altered to a dangerous one because of an arbitrary edict issued by a politician.  In this scenario the slumbering residents are bound to react to the home intruder situation they face.  Unfortunately this means that some people are going to reach for their firearms and discharge them if they feel an imminent threat to their family's safety.


See this tragic example which unfolded in Killeen, Texas:

Police Detective Charles “Chuck” Dinwiddie, 47, and Officer Odis Denton, 37, were shot as they and other officers served the narcotics search warrant just after 5:30 a.m. Friday at 1104 Circle M Dr. Apt. 3 in Killeen.



Police chiefs, mayors and city council people give lip service to "officer safety" but their actions continually make officers less safe.

If elected officials want to keep their police employees safe they need to begin reversing many of their past actions.  The first step should be to abolish no knock, SWAT raids.

If politicians in your city will not act to address "officer safety" then officer's themselves must look out for their safety.  This means leaving safe situations alone.  

If Charles Dinwiddie refused to go along with the no knock raid he would still be alive today.  


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