Firstly, I am generally pro-police. I think this is how the majority of the public feel. However, there’s a side to the police that irks many, and you have demonstrated this side. It’s the circling of the wagons mentality in your description of the events at this incident, which you have no more insight into that anyone else who was not there. I understand the whole band of brothers sense of camaraderie, but when it comes to incidents of police officers discharging a firearm, and that incident is still in the review stage, you have no business making public statements about what happened. It’s this very kind of public statement that gives the general public a very low opinion of how the police, police themselves. As for the previous incident, yes, this is noteworthy. It possibly indicates issues of the officer’s ability to self-manage his anxiety levels during moments of stress.
Also , I didn’t realize, Officer Elwood, that you witnessed the incident, because according to statement in which you say the police officer “really had no other choice”, it appears that you saw it all. I hope that you provide this important testimony to whoever is in charge of officially reviewing the incident.
Another poster chimed in , What I don’t understand is what people think the Police Officer should do. A German Shepherd as the 2nd most forceful bite of any dog – 235 lb per square inch. That’s enough to break bones in the leg, ankle or foot.
Soto replay this scenario, an 85 lb dog has your foot in his mouth. Being 4 -legged the dog can move, laterally, faster than an upright human – especially if he has the human’s foot in his mouth! SO exactly what is it that you think the Officer should have, or could have, done? Better yet, if this had been you, what would you have done?
Looks like the police union is out with its “facts and figures” to try and muddy the water to distract attention away from the real issues here: 1) This was an 85 lb German Shepherd with the 2nd most forceful bite of any dog – 235 lb per square inch. That’s enough to break bones in the leg, ankle or foot; and 2) having a window open to allow a dog to go in and out of a house into a fenced backyard poses a problem itself, especially in terms of liability for the homeowner. Guess the union hasn’t learned anything from the recent human deaths in Staten Island, Ferguson, Georgia, South Carolina or Baltimore.
I am the poster who asked the question about what is it that you expect the office to have done, and provided the factual (not opinion) information about a German Shepherd’s bite force.
First, I am not in law enforcement, don’t have family or close friends in law enforcement, and am not a member of the police (or any other) union. So, so much for your assumptions!
Second, I still haven’t heard an answer to the basic issue – “What is it that the police officer should have done?”
Just answer the question – no more assumptions, complaints, emotional arguments. Just answer the question.
A stun gun. or some other kind pf of non deadly shooting device that the police hate to use. ‘
Since the 1960 s the police have used guns on unarmed citizens in unarmed protests; etc. The police do not learn. Do you think 2014-2015 ia the first time police have killed senselessly.
Requirement to carry firearsms should include excfuding the police force. If they don’t want to use nondeadly methods get out of the police force.
I wrote this particular article, which as is clearly stated, is a response to Officer Elwood. I’m really not sure who it is that you are directing your message to.
My point is that the matter is still under official review, and the outcome remains to be seen. Again, my point is that Officer Elwood, a self-identified Ridgewood police officer, went to great lengths to defend the actions of the officer, making assumptions despite not having witnessed the incident. It is exactly this kind of blind loyalty that irritates even many of the public who otherwise have a very high regard for the police.
Aim to wound; not to kill.
You NEVER hear of police wounding their target;with a gun it’s always a kill.
You never hear of police using stun, or taser or non lethal means of capturing their or halting their target.
@10.42am: I have actually received firearms training and I can tell you that unlike the movies, it’s actually difficult to aim whereby you get that kind of precision in where the bullet is likely to strike. Add to that firing a weapon in a high-stress and typically moving situation. You are trained to aim for center-mass.
I have a concealed carry permit in Connecticut. 2 years ago while I was visiting friends in newington I was attacked by a very large Shepard… I had clear sight of the dog approaching from approximately 50 feet. As I retreated without turning my back I drew my 9 mm and fired 2 rounds in the air…the animal stopped in his tracks. Its that simple. Having a firearm is one thing…knowing how to use it another. But I can’t do that in NJ.
Cops in Bergen shouldn’t be allowed to carry guns, and they shouldn’t get second chances
11:08 a.m. that is all the more reason guns should not be permitted in the U.S. Oh, so you were trained to kill, well by all means continue. There is no other way, you Nazi. The same excuse. This is my training.
Well, the police have a lot changes to make. Start with only allowing the taser or stun gun;
Warning shots are expressly forbidden in NJ
1223…that was most likely the stupidest comment I have ever read on this blog…try coming to my house a taking my gun…you wont make it past the front door.
1:24, the police state you favor is exactly why you shouldn’t have a gun. Nothing is more dangerous than a weaponized dumbass who is wired to kill. Unfortunately our police forces are populated with stupid people like you. We want money spent on education, infrastructure and growth investments, not the police state you want.
So shoot to kill instead of firing warning shots? How does that make sense ?
If you fire a warning shot in the air the bullet could kill someone when it loses trajejectory. Should have fired into the gras. You watch too much TV!
Gun,tasers, peeper spry ,baton and now new equipment for the police , DOG TREATS
“Should have fired into the grass.” That would work but you could kill an earthworm or mole. Who will speak for them?
to 529 like it or not warning shots are illegal in nj regardless of the direction of fire period.!!!. If the cop fires his weapon it better be in the defense of himself or another.