In before the “cops are useless” crowd.
I before, This isn’t from the Bee?
>>> In before the “cops are useless” crowd. <<<
For the record I am one of the folks who’d like to do away with urban, Democrat/union run police departments, restore Constitutional carry, and restore the authority of elected and accountable sheriffs.
That said, the cops in this case were spot on. Trying to rescue someone who doesn’t want to be rescued is a fool’s errand and I’m happy to see that Tempe has a couple smarter-than-average guys on their force.
Let’s hope Tempe keeps them.
In this day and age with all the hyper media scrutiny and poor reputation.. Sure it is not safe to swim to the drowning victim without training. BUT.....the police officer should have at least attempted to approach the victim (at a distance) with a 5 foot branch or something.
• A panic-stricken near drowning victim will do anything he or she can to get higher, including grabbing a rescuer and climbing over him/her to get out of the water. Basic life guard training suggests having a floatable device that you can separate yourself from the victim and offer to them instead of any part of yourself. Second choices involving purposely approaching from behind, and/or grabbing one hand/arm and pulling the victim across your body, again to grasp from behind. “Reach or throw, don’t go”.
“In before the “cops are useless” crowd.”
Cops are of no utility to middle class white people.
They do not prevent property crime. They do not prevent violent crime. They only prevent YOU from protecting yourself and your property.
They write you tickets.
And they are crazy expensive to have around.