02-17-2013, 06:06 PM
What Dorner did or not do is irrelevant to the final act.
The media indicated that the police used a "very strong tear gas grenade, known as a 'burner' grenade." I am very sure that these things produce a lot more heat than smoke or normal grenades. For example, I have direct knowledge that the 'safe' white "HC" (not phosphorus) grenade will start fires meaning that fire had to be a distinct possibility if not the intended outcome.
In sum, they acted at least carelessly because time was on the side because the perp was surrounded. They had no need to push the issue into more violent confrontations.
I would not be worried except that the LAPD has a long history of excessive use of force. Remember the armored bank robbers about ten years back. These guys drove an armored personnel carrier through someone's garage because they "thought" the bad guys might be holed up there. The vehicle was used to serve "no knock" search warrants by driving into a living room.
The scary thing is that there are other police departments who have also fallen victim to the notion that anyone not a sworn police officer is an enemy.
This and less egregious but still excessive behavior casts law enforcement in the light of an occupying force rather than the members of the citizenry they should be.
Small wonder gangs make such huge inroads into our cities small and large.
The media indicated that the police used a "very strong tear gas grenade, known as a 'burner' grenade." I am very sure that these things produce a lot more heat than smoke or normal grenades. For example, I have direct knowledge that the 'safe' white "HC" (not phosphorus) grenade will start fires meaning that fire had to be a distinct possibility if not the intended outcome.
In sum, they acted at least carelessly because time was on the side because the perp was surrounded. They had no need to push the issue into more violent confrontations.
I would not be worried except that the LAPD has a long history of excessive use of force. Remember the armored bank robbers about ten years back. These guys drove an armored personnel carrier through someone's garage because they "thought" the bad guys might be holed up there. The vehicle was used to serve "no knock" search warrants by driving into a living room.
The scary thing is that there are other police departments who have also fallen victim to the notion that anyone not a sworn police officer is an enemy.
This and less egregious but still excessive behavior casts law enforcement in the light of an occupying force rather than the members of the citizenry they should be.
Small wonder gangs make such huge inroads into our cities small and large.