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Old February 19, 2009, 03:59 PM   #6
maestro pistolero
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Join Date: August 16, 2007
Posts: 2,153
Quote:
So you just want the 911 operator to make the determination as to which calls the police respond to or not?
No one is saying that, although that, in fact is their job. So let's say a call comes in from a neighbor of Joe Open Carry:

Caller: I'm calling to report a man with a gun

911: Have there been any shots fired? Are you ok, do you need an ambulance?

Caller: No, but he's got a real gun on his belt, in one of those holster thingys.

911: Is he threatening anyone?

Caller: No, but . . .

911: Do you know this man?

Caller: Yes, he's my neighbor

911: Without placing yourself in any danger, can you see him? Can you see what is he doing right now?

Caller: Yes

911: What is he doing right now?

Caller: He's digging a hole

911: Do you know why he might be digging a hole?

Caller: It looks like he's planting a tree.

Etc., Etc.

Now the operator has a sense of the situation that's a lot more informative than a basic 'man with a gun' call. And the responding officers can approach the situation with an appropriate caution and officer safety protocol without over-reacting and violating the man's civil rights.

This officer lacked knowledge of the law, and/or common sense and/or sufficient training to repspond appropriately to what was obviously (to the Judge) NOT a violation of any existing law. There was most likely a lack of clear department policy on dealing with a situation such as this.

In some departments, cases such as these have resulted in agency memos clarifying department policy, sometimes due to incidents and cases vis-a-vi open carry movement organizations.

Last edited by maestro pistolero; February 19, 2009 at 04:16 PM.
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