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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Training needs attention
July 7, 2016
Washington, Iowa
To the Editor:
Again I stress and suggest to law enforcement personnel that while approaching a suspicious individual, watching that person?s hands is of utmost importance and could very well save a life! In the military we learned these hands may be empty or may have a grenade, a knife, a weapon or whatever. Nearly every day it is reported a policeman has shot first and questioned ...
N/A
Oct. 2, 2018 8:45 am
July 7, 2016
Washington, Iowa
To the Editor:
Again I stress and suggest to law enforcement personnel that while approaching a suspicious individual, watching that person?s hands is of utmost importance and could very well save a life! In the military we learned these hands may be empty or may have a grenade, a knife, a weapon or whatever. Nearly every day it is reported a policeman has shot first and questioned later. This is the effect, the result, of officers? being shot without warning while in their car or elsewhere. Yes, we can blame the officer, as this is a danger acknowledged. While we are blessed with integrity and honorable law enforcement in the City and County of Washington, there are areas within our nation where oversight of training and daily activity need urgent attention. It is of no help that our elected governmental agents continue to place blame on the weapon instead of the individual. It is the hands of the individual holding the weapon that is fatal. Weapons-free zones do not stop the criminal, only the would-be protector!
TSGT Laddie D. Oliver
Retired, Army and Air Force
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