Saving those who wrote against assassination -
I cannot believe some of you people above are the product of a democracy.
It matters nothing what sort of person that kid was before his death.
It is obvious that the Greeks have a sense of justice that we lack.
After days of riots their failing government has finally charged their child killer - with murder.
Now, If a group of civilians had shot our young Australian - these civilians would be charged and the DPP would be using the arguments being denied this kid.
It'd be called an execution style killing cold-bloodedly perpetrated against a minor by a gang of assassins. Photographs would be produced; the judge and jury would be piping their eyes.
The victim would be posthumously declared a hero for having attempted to fight off his attackers to the last.
If these were the circumstances those condemning this youth on this forum would be shouting his praises and demanding that pistols be outlawed.
I suppose all you good Burghers have perfect self control. Never spat the dummy or thrown your yoyo at someone?
Of course you have - have also lived to regret your temporary silliness and to write what you have above.
Please put 'yourself in the other person's shoes' - make use of that precept of our Law.

Dear Gibo,

I'd forgotten that you were a police officer.

Could you please explain to me, if the
police training is so thorough - why
can't 3 armed police officers disarm
a small youngster who's not carrying a gun?

They have batons, they can shoot him in
the legs, why kill him?

And ten bullets?

Surely they could have done better?

Doesn't that indicate to you that something
was wrong with their training?

A few things don't quite make sense here Gibo. You state:

"Having been one (a police officer), at one time, I understand the training and it is more than adequate... Theres enough psycholical testing to weed out all of the would be gunslingers."

And yet, in the past you have stated:

"As for demons. I know about them, as many christians do. As for UFO's. Lets wait and see. Who knows what they build in the "skunk works" manufacturing areas. Does anyone know whats next with high tech planes? Are there flying discs? Stan Deyo in The Cosmic Conspiracy says yes. I think its possible."

http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?discussion=1042&page=0#18807

You make a compelling case for more psychological testing of police.

Seems to me that the police made a bad call in this instance. I suppose it's easier to judge them with the benefit of hindsight, but regrettably, this mistake has cost a life.
I suppose we'll have to wait and see what comes out of it. Seems to me that there's a need for an inquiry, though I'm sure one will happen.

Hi Foxy.

I wasnt there but I wouldnt have taken on a man with a knife/knives with a baton.

Baton are for in close use to control a non-lethal assault.
I dont think I ever used mine. All it ever did was drag my pants down with the weight. We had steel rod-inserted rubber batons in those days.

According to news reports the victim went looking to die and was pushing police to shoot him.
Its got to be reminded that such a situation is extremely dangerous for police.
A possibly psychiatric man armed with knives probably charging and screaming and threatening police...it would have been terrifying for the ordinary street policeman.

Once the moment of shooting comes... thats it it.
It happens and theres no going back.
Shooting in the legs wont stop him if he's psychiatric and mostly police would miss anyway because the offender is running at them.

Ten shots? I guess it shows the panic of the police at the greatness of the threat to their lives.
Cops hate such confrontation and many never get over it.
All of their lives the event replays and replays in the mind... for quite a few of them.
Cops dont want to shoot people.
I tell you they really, truly dont want to shoot people.

All police want to do is get home to their families at the end of the shift safe and sound having done their duty for the day.

Without cops society is finished with.
They are, in truth, all that stands between society and anarchy. Without cops, gangs rule.
Everything falls apart.

Perhaps we should be looking towards placing responsibillity back on the parents to take care of their kids.

15 is a minor. What is a minor doing roaming the streets at 9pm on a school night anyway?

As someone said, don't worry about poor old mum, had she have been a responsible parent, not only would her son be alive but the police officers that shot him wouldn't have that memory hanging over them for the remainder of their lives.

Your kids, your responsible. End of story!

Youre just picking TRTL:)

I know about demons because Im a born again christian and guess what ...we do actually know our adversary. We know about dark powers and how they rattle people.

I became a born again christian years after I left the police.

As for UFOs Ive read Stan Deyos wonderful book THE COSMIC CONSPIRACY and because I know the spirit war on earth between God and satan (it is a spirit war...no little green men from other worlds) I know that if there are any UFOs... men built them.
Isnt it so that frequently flying craft are seen near military bases?

We werent there at shooting. Only the police were so we dont know how it was. We wait and see.
I reckon the police will get completely off.