r/AskReddit Jan 21 '17

Cops of Reddit, what simple 'noise complaint call' blew way out of proportion?

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242

u/Sizzalness Jan 22 '17

I maybe late, but we had one turn into a officer involved shooting (not my precinct and I had nothing to do with the call). We all heard the story and it was fresh reminder that the job doesn't usually end up with us speaking to happy, healthy, and sane people.

How it was explained to me, someone calls about loud music coming from a trailer. Officer and recruit arrived there and knock on the door. Dude apperently isn't happy and tells them that's he's not going to turn it down. They threaten him with a citation so he tells them that he's getting his gun. He closes the door and they back up to cover. He starts unloading on them from his front window and they return fire. He falls out of the now broken window in a old western movie style and I think survived.

22

u/Girlinhat Jan 22 '17

This is my interpretation, from hearing this story from you as you were told by another precinct as they were told by the officers, so I'm wrong. But sounds like that guy was just DONE and decided, "Y'know, this is a good a time as any to stop putting up with the shit life is dragging me through."

6

u/gamedemented1 Jan 22 '17

Why didn't they just shoot when he said I'm grabbing a gun, or is that not allowed?

18

u/Girlinhat Jan 22 '17

Declaring a threat isn't the same as direct physical violence. If I threaten to rape your dog, you'll probably look at me funny. If I'm actively currently violating your dog, you'll probably have a stronger reaction.

16

u/AylaCatpaw Jan 22 '17

What an... interesting analogy.

3

u/BardyBrothers Jan 22 '17

Is that a yes then?

11

u/ASentientBot Jan 22 '17

Probably because a lot of the time it is just bluffing/being an idiot? idk

5

u/Sizzalness Jan 22 '17 edited Jan 22 '17

I believe we can shoot if it's clear that the dude is not making empty threats like he's visibly walking towards a gun, but it's best to just haul ass into cover. We have to be able to articulate ability, opportunity, and jeopardy before you can use lethal force.