He ran towards the fire

[Use of Time]

There is a big difference between entering a building with an active shooter and already being in the building with the shooter.

That excuse isn’t going to carry a bit of water. Sorry. Especially now that we know he had backup on scene. It’s almost like the fact that being outgunned by suspects is a problem.

 

[TCassidy]

That excuse isn’t going to carry a bit of water.

I wasn't aware I was making an excuse nor carrying water. I was making a statement of fact. Had the teachers/staff had the option to be armed it is likely the assailant could have been stopped by someone already in the building, in the presence of the children.

Sorry.

Apology accepted.

Especially now that we know he had backup on scene.

Who also failed to advance on the suspect.

It’s almost like the fact that being outgunned by suspects is a problem.

Law enforcement has changed a lot since I left the SO.

We used to put on the uniform, pin on the badge, strap on the sidearm, and go out on the streets with the goal of "protect and serve." We were willing to lay our lives on the line for the safety of the community at large.

That has changed in the 30 years since I left law enforcement. Today the primary goal is to "go home alive." The safety of the deputies was considered, by them, to be more important than the safety of the children, teachers, and staff. And if that is the case, the deputies needs to find a different line of work.

We used to be known as Peace Officers. Now they call themselves "Law Enforcement Officers." Keeping the peace no longer seems to be the primary purpose for them to be on the streets. Now it is revenue enhancement by being the armed stooges of the corrupt money hungry legislators.

 

[Use of Time]

I wasn't aware I was making an excuse nor carrying water. I was making a statement of fact. Had the teachers/staff had the option to be armed it is likely the assailant could have been stopped by someone already in the building, in the presence of the children.

Apology accepted.

Who also failed to advance on the suspect.

Law enforcement has changed a lot since I left the SO.

We used to put on the uniform, pin on the badge, strap on the sidearm, and go out on the streets with the goal of "protect and serve." We were willing to lay our lives on the line for the safety of the community at large.

That has changed in the 30 years since I left law enforcement. Today the primary goal is to "go home alive." The safety of the deputies was considered, by them, to be more important than the safety of the children, teachers, and staff. And if that is the case, the deputies needs to find a different line of work.

We used to be known as Peace Officers. Now they call themselves "Law Enforcement Officers." Keeping the peace no longer seems to be the primary purpose for them to be on the streets. Now it is revenue enhancement by being the armed stooges of the corrupt money hungry legislators.

I agree with all of this.

 

[Gold Dragon]

Florida school officer defends his actions

His attorney, Joseph DiRuzzo, said his client believed the gunfire was coming from outside the school.

He followed his training by taking cover and prompting a lockdown, the lawyer said.

Mr DiRuzzo said it was "patently untrue" that Mr Peterson was a coward on the day.

...

Mr Peterson said he had originally "received a call of firecrackers".

Only when he ran towards the sound, he said, did he realise it was gunshots.

Broward Sheriff's Office had trained him to seek cover and assess the situation in the event of outdoor gunfire, his lawyer said. Mr Peterson did so, and then told the sheriff's office he had heard shots, prompting a "Code Red" lockdown of the school campus.

When police arrived, he told them he thought the gunman was outside - a belief backed up by "radio transmissions [which] indicated that there was a gunshot victim in the area of the football field," Mr Peterson said, according to his lawyer.

His attorney said in a statement: "Let there be no mistake, Mr Peterson wishes that he could have prevented the untimely passing of the 17 victims on that day, and his heart goes out to the families of the victims in their time of need.

"However, the allegations that Mr Peterson was a coward and that his performance, under the circumstances, failed to meet the standards of police officers are patently untrue."