Police and You

Pasadena, Texas Shooting Dentist:

You are responsible for your own safety. Many people believe that the Police will save them from bad guys.

  1. When seconds count, the police are minutes away.
  2. The police are not obligated to save you.

A police office can not stay by your side 24/7. Furthermore, the police are not obligated to protect you. In Warren v. District of Columbia the courts maintained that:

“The District of Columbia Court of Appeals affirmed the trial courts’ dismissal of the complaints against the District of Columbia and individual members of the Metropolitan Police Department based on the public duty doctrine. The Court explained that “[t]he duty to provide public services is owed to the public at large, and, absent a special relationship between the police and an individual, no specific legal duty exists.” The Court adopted the trial court’s determination that no special relationship existed between the police and appellants, and therefore no specific legal duty existed between the police and the appellants.”

This small blog article is no way bashing police officers. I have lots of great Police Officer patients and take firearms training from Police Officers. I have respect for the men and women in the blue uniform.  However, when it comes to your personal security it is all up to you.

Another point I would like to make is the misconception that just because Police Officers carry a gun that they are expert in firearms. There are tons of officers that shoot once a year and that is just to qualify.

Here are some stats I Googled. The stats are  from the 2005 NYPD SHOOTINGS REPORT.

Shooting Statistics  NYPD  2005

123 Shootings.

166 officer involved

616 rounds fired total

17.3 shots fired per incident

 

The Accuracy of the shots fired at engagement ranges.

Apparently the NYPD’s skill drops off considerably beyond arms reach.

 

0 to 2 Yards                                                3 to 7 Yards

officers involved 7                                         officers involved 44

shots fired 127                                             shots fired  155

Hits  65                                                       number of hits 68

percentage of hits 51                                     hit percentage 44

 

8 to 15 yards                                              16 to 25 yards

officers involved 40                                       officers involved 7

shots fired 205                                            shots fired 93

number of hits 14                                        number of hits 5

percentage of hits 7                                    percentage of hits 5

 

Over 25 yards

officers involved 0

fired 0

hits  0

percentage of hits 0

 

What is most obvious from the listed stats is that 1) NYPD have about a 50% hit percentage from Zero to Seven Yards. 2) Hit percentage is horrible past 8 yards 3) There is an average of 17.3 rounds fired per incident.

 

I love competitions as it brings more training and scenarios. Much more to think about during competition then just going to a static gun range. Plus, I take as many firearms training classes as possible. I understand that I am responsible for my safety and my families safety.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One blogging site that I frequent is the Dental Warrior website. It has a tagline of: Dental Product Reviews, Personal Security, & Much More!

 

Some very good articles to read from Dr. Mike include.

1. The Police Will NOT (necessarily) Save You

2. But I live in a nice neighborhood

3. Save your life with Situational Awareness

4. Surviving is Science