After a SD situation ..What do you do?

[Tailhunter]

Here is one idea that you might want to ponder .........


http://media.regent.edu/lawPreview/031408_DontTalktoPolice.wmv

[mikeflys1]

Saw that in another forum....great video.

[broncobilly_69]

I made it about halfway through that the other day. As a reserve PO it sounds like a bunch of crap. I've never seen in any of the Officers in my department twist things around like that guy says.
Not talking to them may very well have you as a defendant when it was a perfectly legit act of SD. That is exactly what keeps the money rolling in for guys like that.
Talking to the police in general might actually help them catch the dirtbag that committed the crime. That helps you because if he's in jail that's one less dirtbag on the street that might assault someone you care about.
I don't think I want to live my life the way a defense attorney says I should.
having clients who take his advice may make his job easier, but it doesn't make the world a better place.

[AZ Honkey]

I made it about halfway through that the other day. As a reserve PO it sounds like a bunch of crap. I've never seen in any of the Officers in my department twist things around like that guy says.
Not talking to them may very well have you as a defendant when it was a perfectly legit act of SD. That is exactly what keeps the money rolling in for guys like that.
Talking to the police in general might actually help them catch the dirtbag that committed the crime. That helps you because if he's in jail that's one less dirtbag on the street that might assault someone you care about.
I don't think I want to live my life the way a defense attorney says I should.
having clients who take his advice may make his job easier, but it doesn't make the world a better place.

The advice given is geared more towards those that are guilty, and to those that represent guilty people. However, even if I were 100% innocent (in my mind), I still wouldn't talk to police. If I have a 'good tip', I will call a tip hotline.

[Timberwulf]

Every instructor I have ever had, in three different states, has suggested to say something along the lines of:

I was in fear for my (her, his, whatever) life, so I shot to stop the threat. I'll be happy to answer any of your questions after I speak with legal counsel.

Remember, it's not just the Police you are protecting yourself from, it's also the shot thug's family, who would love to take anything you have said that's in the record and twist it to their own ends to prove that he was really a "good guy".

You also never know if your City DA is anti-gun and would love to string you up for it as well.

Hey, you can always tell them your life's story later, when you're more calm, and with a lawyer there to help you to properly and accurately give your statement. But when you are hopped up on adrenaline and are still confused and disoriented is NEVER the time to attempt to rationally discuss your situation with people who will be using that discussion to possibly deprive you of your liberty or property.

Edit: The above is to be used for situations in which you put some holes in someone. Now if it is a situation where you presented your firearm but did not actually fire it, definitely talk to the Police immediately to get them on the trail of the dirtbag that needed that kind of persuasion to go their own way. :)

[kensteele]

....
Talking to the police in general might actually help them catch the dirtbag that committed the crime. That helps you because if he's in jail that's one less dirtbag on the street that might assault someone you care about.

you do understand that this isn't my job to do this, right? it's not my job to help put a dirtbag away for a crime that he has committed. i've said this before, i'm not leo, i don't find joy in a criminal's capture, i have nothing to gain and everything to lose.

please understand this in the context that i wrote it. if the police are in hot pursuit and they say which way did he go, i say north. i hate crime just as much as the next person. i dislike seeing crime happen to innocent citizens. i don't assist, aid, or otherwise provide comfort to criminals.

so i said it before anyone foolishly tries to assign those nasty characteristics to me just to prove their silly point; hopefully now they will challenge my assertions on it's merits.

but there's a video in another thread that says the same thing i and others have always believed, don't talk to the police [in general].

[mortpes]

Yes, the lawyer is correct. The individual police person is under stress, either real or not. The officer may also bring their own emotional baggage to any encounter. And mistakes are made. Any shooting is a major event. It will not go away with just a few simple statements. Listen to the lawyer.

[Z95P]

.....

[Patronus]

Timberwulf wrote:
Hey, you can always tell them your life's story later, when you're more calm, and with a lawyer there to help you to properly and accurately give your statement. But when you are hopped up on adrenaline and are still confused and disoriented is NEVER the time to attempt to rationally discuss your situation with people who will be using that discussion to possibly deprive you of your liberty or property.

Here, here. :zipmouth:

From what I've heard, when an LEO is involved in a shooting, several people come to his aide -- his supervisor(s), an FOP union rep, and at least several of his fellow officers. He gets a great deal of moral support and legal advice. Bottom line -- he's not alone; he's surrounded by friends, associates and advocates.

Civilians don't have that luxury.

Sure, there may be a dozen police on the scene, but they're NOT your friends, and they're NOT there to help you. They may all be outstanding officers and good people, but their job at that moment is not to wipe your nose and tell you it's gonna be alright.

(Please correct me if I'm wrong about the aftermath of an OIS. I'd actually be very interested in the facts.)

Anyway, like so many others have said, if the attacker is wounded or dead -- or perhaps if any shots were fired whatsoever -- LAWYER UP.

Here's an interesting link regarding "saying nothing" that I saved back in my Packing.org days:

http://www.spw-duf.info/saynothing.html

:whistling:

[Patronus]

you do understand that this isn't my job to do this, right? it's not my job to help put a dirtbag away for a crime that he has committed. i've said this before, i'm not leo, i don't find joy in a criminal's capture, i have nothing to gain and everything to lose.

please understand this in the context that i wrote it. if the police are in hot pursuit and they say which way did he go, i say north. i hate crime just as much as the next person. i dislike seeing crime happen to innocent citizens. i don't assist, aid, or otherwise provide comfort to criminals.

so i said it before anyone foolishly tries to assign those nasty characteristics to me just to prove their silly point; hopefully now they will challenge my assertions on it's merits.

but there's a video in another thread that says the same thing i and others have always believed, don't talk to the police [in general].

I think I understand what you're trying to express, though I'd think you'd be a bit relieved/happy/satisfied when the BG is in custody -- or, hopefully, sent to rot in prison. Wouldn't you? I'd think so, unless you're trying to prove a point.

No flame intended, Ken. All I'm saying is, don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.

[TylerDurden]

Know a lawyer that specializes in these type of cases, I know one in Utah (he actually did my certification). Either say nothing and talk to your lawyer or say something along the lines of "I was afraid for my/his/her life and I acted in self/his/her defense" and then shut up and talk to your lawyer.

Keep his/her business card handy.

[kensteele]

sure, i would be relieved when the bg is in custody involved in a personal crime. not so much someone else's bg like that stranger who stole a car on the southside of chicago (impersonal). i guess what i am saying is when i watch the evening news or cops, i get all excited by the capture more so with the drama than for the fact they got another guy off the street.

again, i'm all for eliminating/reducing crime but it simply isn't my job. my role is to contribute to crimestoppers or call 911 or stop an lethal threat; not canvas witnesses, bolos, etc. unlike when a fireman rescues a baby from a burning building or when a lost child is found, you can take joy in the happiness of such divine events but snagging a bank robber five blocks away is nothing to be happy about. to me, its a sad event. not trying to stand in the way, but i find it far from joyous.

i guess when i realize the crime can't be undone, when i think about the possible long trial, sometimes lives ruined, i've been unable to find the satisfaction that i once did. you don't want me on the parole board (jury and punishment i can handle).

i dunno, i've been involved in a number of petty crimes against myself and not once did i feel much of anything after the guy was caught or not. a couple times i actually felt sad for the poor guy, ruining his life over something so petty and stupid. perhaps i would feel differently about rape/murder/etc.

[Hask12]

"You have the right to remain silent...anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law" Do you need it any more simple then that?
Plus after a shooting you will probably be in shock. You will be in no shape to be discussing your situation with the police. So SHUT UP!!

[Arrowman]

What would I do? Simple...
Step 1: Check myself for injuries.
Step 2: If not already on scene, call Police.
Step 3: Call Lawyer (optionally interchangable with Step 2)
Step 4: Grab nearest bottle of anything 80 proof and remain silent till 24 hours past bottle empty.

[babietuan323]

"You have the right to remain silent...anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law" Do you need it any more simple then that?
Plus after a shooting you will probably be in shock. You will be in no shape to be discussing your situation with the police. So SHUT UP!!

right, like everyone said all that adrenaline will be flowing and you wont be able to fully think rationally