| In addition to the mandated use of deadly force that | | | | their jobs, to react in the same way as the average |
| a police officer learns during training, there are | | | | citizen or bystander during a potentially |
| subconscious and conscious factors and pressures at | | | | life-threatening situation. Again, remember that it is |
| work as an officer weighs whether or not to employ | | | | the police officer who must find a way to control, |
| deadly force in a threatening situation. Although, | | | | diffuse, or stop an event or situation that may harm |
| statistically, the chances are slim, in the back of | | | | others while keeping himself as safe as possible. For |
| every officer's mind is the possibility of being killed in | | | | this reason, the legal system recognizes that the |
| the line of duty by a suspect. Police officers, | | | | average citizen is not capable of looking at the same |
| especially those in urban areas, are always aware of | | | | situation in the same light. |
| this possibility. For some officers this is a conscious | | | | As people read the paper or listen to the news |
| thought; for others unconscious. And, considering the | | | | about yet another young person who has died during |
| frequency with which assaults against police officers | | | | the commission of a crime, it is easy to judge. |
| are occurring, this fear is not unreasonable. | | | | However, put in the same position as the police |
| Unlike the average citizen, police officers are required | | | | officer, it is not always easy to know what to do. |
| to stand and face danger which leaves them open to | | | | The officer has so many factors in play |
| threats that someone else might flee from. Because | | | | simultaneously that the average citizen would likely be |
| such situations tend to be very emotionally charged, | | | | overwhelmed if in a similar situation. Today's media |
| police officers are forced to instantly interpret | | | | has sensationalized "police brutality" to such an extent |
| whether or not a situation may be life threatening. All | | | | that it becomes an emotionally charged issue for |
| the officer has to go on are instinct, training, and a | | | | many people. Any police officer must remain aware |
| reasonable assumption of threat. Still, the possibility | | | | that he or she will be accountable to the public as a |
| of physical harm is, for the police officer, a daily | | | | whole should the use of deadly force become |
| reality. | | | | necessary. In light of the problems that the public |
| As if these pressures are not enough, police officers | | | | may have in putting themselves in the officers shoes, |
| must also consider how their use of deadly force will | | | | it is only necessary for an officer to ensure or prove |
| be perceived. As more and more incidents of the use | | | | that the use of deadly force was reasonable as |
| of deadly force against an unarmed suspect are | | | | viewed by the officer at the time the events |
| made painfully public, the public themselves cry foul. | | | | occurred; not by a group of bystanders after the |
| Yet, police officers are not required, as a part of | | | | fact. |