There is some information being broadcast, but not much. As I read news accounts on-line I see that the Keyboard Kommandos are hard at work. Internet Tough Guys spewing hate and nonsense. My favorite so far; "he's retiring, so why is he on a drug raid?" Are you kidding me? He's doing his job, you jackass! There is the usual venom about pensions,salary, bad cops but some are good...the typical beat the dead horse stuff that makes a police officer's blood boil. How the death of a police officer in the line of duty can lead to this line of discussion is beyond me. I love how the Kommandos and Tough Guys always say how they would shoot he bad guy in the head and do society a favor. Really? Try it sometime. From personal experience I can tell you it's not as easy as it sounds. Unsnapping your holster and removing your firearm is easy. The decision to fire? It gets complicated. In that less than a second you have to decide to shoot or not, your brain processes an incredible amount of information. First and foremost - is this a shoot situation? Then you consider what's behind the bad guy, a wall, people, etc. It's not easy, I promise.
As police officers, we wish we had a quarter for everytime we hear, "I wouldn't do your job for a million dollars," then hear how we make too much money. I can guarantee that we are paid much less than a million dollars, yet we go to roll call each day.
Here's a challenge to the KK's and ITG's. Pull into the parking lot and go into the station. Open your locker and look inside. Do you have what it takes to put on body armor, knowing the reason for it? Are you ready, willing and able to put on a uniform and be a police officer? Can you wear your badge with integrity and honor? Can put on a gun belt with all that gear; firearm, handcuffs, OC spray and baton, and use that equipment responsibly and in accordance with departmental rules and laws? Are you capable of compassion one moment, then be ready engage in a violent struggle for your life, or the life of another the next moment? Are you ready to give your life for the life of a complete stranger? Imagine every day going to work, and it's in the back of your mind that today may be the day you don't go home. Try it sometime. See what it feels like. Then imagine doing it everyday. We do, willingly and without complaint.
Time and time again we see media personalities question why the police did this or why the police did that. When they are put on the shoot/don't shoot simulator, they fail miserably. When put through the use of less-lethal force course, they don't fare much better.
Am I looking for sympathy? No, just understanding. Try it sometime.