Letter: Some are just not cut out for law enforcement

If I, as a citizen, am ever encountered in a similar situation on my property, I was under the assumption that in order for me to shoot at someone, I must be in fear for my life.

That means to me, that an assailant must be coming towards me with a weapon that I can plainly see, even at night, to be justifiable.

As a deputy sheriff in another state many years ago, I trained to only wound and not kill unless I was being shot at or personally attacked.

To me, having to fire more than five rounds of ammo at an individual at close range, from a person who is trained to be a crack shot shows a sign of panic.

If it's not close range, then you cannot see what your suspect is carrying so there is no fear of life.

Some individuals you stop may not understand English or may be incoherent, so you must be very careful when your weapon is drawn.

In the last few months, I believe, we have had too many unjustified killings across the U.S. from police departments and it's beginning to scare and outrage many of our citizens.

I'm not criticizing any police department. It is a very tough job in the streets. But no matter how much training you may get, like any job, some individuals can handle the pressure very well and some panic quickly. This could very well determine what your profession should really be.

C. A. Hagen

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