Reference no: EM133412643

1. This can stills happens today to a lack of training or confidence with their equipment or themselves. As it was stated above most officers place their stun guns on their weak side and handguns on their strong side, but if an officer does not get comfortable drawing with their weak hand, and make it motion memory. They will default to what they know best.

2. Officers should be held liable for their actions. It's on the officers to train themselves. A lot of police departments do not have the staff and funding to hold training days. The officers need to take to time and train to minimize unintentional shootings or actions. I will give the example of shooting on the move and knowing your target. During officers' downtime, they could compete in practical pistol or shotgun competitions with their duty rig to be more familiar with it out in the field. It is on the officer to make time to better themselves so things like drawing you handgun instead of a stun gun can be avoided.

3. I do not feel that age or gender plays a role in situations like these above. Time on the job could play a role. Officers not being familiar with their gear or still working out placement can contribute to the situations listed above. As well as a lack of experience in the heat of the stress.

4. The lower situations like these are through training. Officers have to be put in situations like the ones above in a training environment to be better prepared. If a department feels that the annual qualification is sufficient. They are doing a disservice to their officers. Training worst case and employing the equipment they have makes them more comfortable and more confident in the field.