http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/21/n...hot-in-their-patrol-car-in-brooklyn.html?_r=0 The police in places like Ferguson and New York are under clear and present danger from the thugs. On this basis, I believe that the police are within their rights to shoot at the first sign of danger. Thugs are irrational, lack intelligence and are inherently violent. This explains why no-one wants to employ the thugs. The police must not give these thug animals the benefit of the doubt.
I don't agree with the police shooting anything that they simply think to be dangerous. You can have situations where the police actually make a mistake. Let's hope a police officer does not shoot you in the nuts simply because he thought you were going to pull out a gun when really you were just reaching out for your car keys. So what I am about to say will benefit you too. The only time the police should fire is when a person is going to commit a serious/violent crime or in the act of committing a violent/serious crime. Keep in mind everyone has a right to a trial before being convicted. The police should make an effort to arrest suspects so that criminal proceedings can be issued.
Police also have the right to protect themselves and protect the public e.g. the thug Michael Brown and the gun carrying kid in the playground were a clear and present danger. Such killings are legal which is why the police were not charged. The police need to protect themselves against thugs who would otherwise kill em. Look at the recent New York cop murders. The thug, had he been spotted, could have been shot dead.
