If the stars are all aligned and the situation allows you to do so-I am grateful for any type of help I can get. I stopped being superman many years ago.
But that's just one opinion.
If the stars are all aligned and the situation allows you to do so-I am grateful for any type of help I can get. I stopped being superman many years ago.
But that's just one opinion.
That is some fantastic advice. I think I might borrow it in the future.Quote:
Originally Posted by austin
Arkansas has pretty plain language that dictates when you can help an officer. Its pretty simple, if you are ASKED by the officer to render assistance then you are covered by law and protected by the same laws that he is.
The key here is that the officers ASKS. On that note, if I am getting whooped, I might ask anyone around to help. As already noted, it may not be the ideal thing to just jump in without some communication. Since most Officers do deal with Domestic Disputes occasionally, its not unusuall for freinds or family members of the one the Officer is trying to arrest to jump in and help their buddy.
That can really mess things up...as you dont know if they are there to help you or whoever it is you are trying to arrest. If the Officers ASKS for help it is one thing, but just acting on your own no matter how honest or good your intentions are, can have the officer treating you as a badguy until he can prove otherwise.
The key here is Communication. If an Officer appears to be in trouble ask if he needs help. If he does he will say so, otherwise dont. Of course if one is unconsious and cant respond, then more than likely you will be covered by various "Good Samaritan" laws. Just be aware that when backup arrives the rest of them wont know if you are a goodguy trying to help or a badguy trying to finish him off.
There is alot to think about when "jumping" in and alot that one needs to be aware of.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GHFLRLTD
I strongly recommend you read Mr. Gutmachers bookQuote:
Originally Posted by The Fed
http://www.floridafirearmslaw.com/indexbook.shtml
It spells out in plain language the black, white and unfortunate gray areas of the current laws. Both from him and another criminal defense lawyer I got the advice that under the new law things may not be a clear cut as the public thinks. If they determine, for instance, that you had any part of influencing that felony by so much as verbal misdeeds, you're toast.
They also still recommend retreat if possible without risk. They feel there are many prosecutors looking for test cases to try the new laws. You don't want to be a test case!
Know the law, not the rumors!
As for coming to the aid of a uniformed officer it'd better be pretty clear he needs help and that I'm actually capable of helping. I'm to old and banged up to get in a wrestling match but I'm not going to watch an officer get trashed if he's on the losing end of a life and death struggle.
Any time a LEO is outnumbered or about to be killed or seriously injured it would be my moral obligation to come to the LEOs aide
I most vigorously disagree!!...render the first aid! First aid is not brain surgery. Your first aid in those few minutes could very well save that person's life. Every minute counts when someone is seriously injured. Nay, every second counts! Not providing first aid because 911 has already been called and help is on the way is tantamount to negligence. First aid is first aid...even holding someone's hand can be first aid. EMS renders a bit more than just first aid.Quote:
A person should not provide First Aid unless the person knows what they are doing. Especially if EMS is on the way.
+1. Know your law before you engage and might end up in Jail.Quote:
Originally Posted by ELCruisr
As for the LEO assistance secenarion, I heard/read somewehere that the best thing you could do if you want to help is to approach carefully and ASK the LEO if he needs assistance and only if he says yes and ONLY following his directions.
+1 I totally agree with you. The ONLY time I would fire my weapon to protect an LEO and not have anything holding me back is; lone officer injured with a BG about to take his life.Quote:
Originally Posted by austin
Example: Officer down, BG attempting to execute him/her.
When I was ten the night before Thanksgiving there was a car crash that killed five people on our yard I watched several of them die. One lady was face down in a pool of her own blood the grown ups would not let me move her heard so she could breath I watched as the pool got bigger and the bubbles finally stopped. I have a few more skills now but pretty much the same attitude. Those grown ups were wrong. No one tried, she diedQuote:
Originally Posted by Sigsauer
This is what I've been taught. No matter how little you think you know anything is better than nothing. Whatever you do it's hard to make things worse.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sigsauer
I would not get involved in a chase or apprehension. But if I saw an officer's life was in danger I would get involved.
Wrong, Most (notice I said most) states have a good samaritan law, you can't and will not be held responsible for any results of rendering aid.Quote:
Originally Posted by QKShooter
Quote:
Originally Posted by sheepdog
Most cops I know feel this way, they want help if needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom G
Not sure about getting involved if some one's life is not in danger but if it's a life or death situation I WILL try to render any assistance the LEO wants/needs.
I don't think i have ever seen this many options in a poll :)
Everyone in every previous post is correct. For what they would do. How I would react in each situation as a 21 yr cop would be different than how I would expect a 21 year old to react.
The ultimate goal is for everybody to go home safely. You, the Cop, and even the bad guy if possible.
Decisions made in the blink of an eye will be discussed, argued and armchair quarterbacked for years.
Shooting someone may be the end for them. But it's just the beginning for you.