Do you feel that American police are too quick to fire their weapons?

I don't know

None of us know what it is to put our life on the line every time we go into the field. I respect my police. They are only trying to do their jobs. They are to be our protectors, but too many restraints by the ACLU and other idiots, that has made their jobs harder. It takes a lot of guts for either a man or woman to even want to be an officer now days. We have so many subversives in and out of our government that are constantly trying to tear down law and order, and the moral fiber in this country. Unfortunately, I think the police are going to become very hardened, and understandably so. The subversives are setting the stage for disaster for all peoples. My heart goes out to the police. I don't think they get paid enough for their jobs.

At blacks yes. Isn't this common knowledge?

Generally, I've found police officers to be a group that is among the most resistant to use their weapons. To be sure, there are idiots who carry a badge, who shoot way to quick, but they are the minority. Most will do whatever they can not to fire their weapon.

And, for the record, the cops who prey on black folks are also in the minority. A visible minority, and a group of stinking sociopaths that need to be purged from the ranks of law enforcement, but still the overall minority.

Some yes, some no. You can't stereotype all police into one group. I mean, not all white police are quick to fire on african american people. You can't put a bad name on a entire group because of a few bad people. I know about the "the chain is only as strong as it's weakest link" thing, but blah blah blah. Everyone is an individual, and You can't really seriously say that the entire american police force is too quick to fire there weapons unless you have seen every police officer in the american police force...I think.

I feel funny about answering this question because I'm Canadian, but it does shock me at how quickly the American police draw their weapons.I had an experience when I crossed the border with my family.I could not believe that the state troopers were coming towards us with guns drawn!It was just for a spot check!

Some of them.

And then there are police officers like my friend/former employer who pulled someone over to give him a speeding ticket, and ended up being shot dead ... because the person who he pulled over had just committed murder. You just never know.

Considering that the typical officer will be a policeman for 100 careers before firing his weapon (at someone)... no.

Maarten, your ignorance astonishes me.

I think some are some aren't. You can't classify an entire workforce because of some occasions. But I will not deny that there are American police who are too quick to fire their weapons.

i think it depends on where and when you are talking about, i don't think you can lump all police in the US into one category. but then, yes i do think some are! and sometimes the rationalization for the quick trigger pull is that they work under stressful conditions/dangerous conditions............ my feeling is--they know that going in and if they can't function under those conditions then don't continue being a police officer. i know i couldn't do it.

i respect the police as well and i know it is not a job that i would be able to do, let alone want to do. yes, it is dangerous and they do put their lives on the line. but with all of that said, that doesn't excuse any misstep, shooting of innocent people, abuse of innocent or not innocent people. they are hired to protect us and follow the letter of the law.............despite what the criminals are doing. difficult tho' that may be, it is their job and i hold them accountable for their actions. and the ACLU, despite what you may think, are working to protect the general population as well. you may not be a member of one of the groups that are profiled or targeted by "the minority" of police that abuse their power but there need to be protections in place.

In New York and LA, yes.

No. I don't feel that, because I don't really have any feelings about American police. So, this is certainly not to say that I have feelings which are diametrically opposed to the statement.

Cody, your right wing beliefs have astonished me.

This should been multi-choice.

What is this right wing and left wing stuff? What does that have to do with people's opinions? (Sorry, but I've wondered about this for a while)

Left wing people (Liberals etc.) are notorious for questioning authority (Police, the Government, teachers, etc.) Right wing people (Fascists, Conservatives etc.) are always very supportive of their authority figures (The president, the pope, Rush Limbaugh etc.)

I hope that clears that up!

Oh, I get it. And now I know which one I am!

...not a Rush Limbaugh supporter I hope!

Which one is that?

I really loved how US conservatives were so supportive of their president these past eight years. I also love how US liberals have been so questioning of each proposed expansion of governmental power.

Who's that?

Left wing. I'm not usually very good with people who think they have authority over me.

Thank god! You really are clever!

lol yeah...I'm really brilliant.

Some yes, others no.
The vast majority of Police Officers, (My brother is one) regret ever having to pull their weapon, mainly because in real life, an officer is trained to kill, not wound, not try to shoot the gun or other weapon out of the criminals hand. There has even been a report that "Death by Cop" is on the rise, some just for the Financial gain. ie: A violent offender robs a store at gunpoint, runs away, tosses the gun then leaves his hand in his pocket to simulate he still has it to fake the officer into shooting him when he makes a sudden move. the way the Lawyers work nowadays, that person if he doesn't actually have a gun stands to receive money for being a criminal! And if he is killed, the family will cry quickly on every news reporter that they can on how the police shot an unarmed (now) person.

Gotta love this country...