Dallas Police Union Laments Police Having To Hesitate Before Shooting People

Monday’s termination of Senior Corporal Amy Wilburn had a chilling effect on the safety of the citizens of Dallas and of all Dallas Police Officers. This termination was not that of just an officer but that of the foundation of police training, which is/was our Deadly Force Policy. Up until Monday, Dallas Police Officers were allowed to use deadly force when they were in fear for their life or another’s. As of Monday, Dallas Police Officers no longer know when they can use deadly force and, if they do, question whether they are going to be fired if they are forced to. This up in the air policy creates doubt and hesitation in an officer about when/if to use deadly force, which ultimately is going to result in an officer and/or a citizen getting killed. This doubt will always result in a hesitation in officers’ response times to citizen’s calls. No longer can an officer quickly drive to a man with a gun, robbery in progress or domestic abuse call because the officer no longer believes he/she can use deadly force, if it is required, without fear of being terminated.

Last night, we had another person trying to kill four Dallas Police Officers. The suspect fired at the officers five times, and the officers still didn’t return fire to defend themselves. Several of the rounds were only inches from taking an officer’s life, but the officers hesitated because they no longer know when deadly force is acceptable. That suspect eventually charged the officers’ position, and the officers were left with no choice but to defend themselves because they were in fear for their lives. The officers were able to go home to their families but, in the end, are now left with the uncertainty of whether or not they will be terminated.