Cop hits guy with squad car

[Bailey Guns]

Jer built a strawman the Wizard of Oz would be proud of. We can "what if" the situation to death.

What if the officer did what he thought was right, used a level of force appropriate to stop the threat, didn't harm any innocents and he was cleared of any wrongdoing? Oh, wait...

[GilpinGuy]

Seriousy TLDR. Paragraphs man. Unreadable.

[Bailey Guns]

Sully didn't have any other choice. This guy did. Not the same comparison.

Yes, he did. The information's been out for a while. Here's one article:

http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB100014...22482042335978

But tucked inside thousands of pages of testimony and exhibits are hints that, in hindsight, the celebrated pilot could have made it back to La Guardia Airport. Pilots who used simulators to recreate the accident—including suddenly losing both engines after sucking in birds at 2,500 feet—repeatedly managed to safely land their virtual airliners at La Guardia.

The results haven't changed the conclusions of National Transportation Safety Board investigators or outside aviation-safety experts, who unanimously agree that Mr. Sullenberger made the right call to put his crippled jet down in the river. Neither he nor his first officer, Jeffrey Skiles, had any assurance that the Airbus A320—which suddenly turned into a 70-ton glider—would be able to clear Manhattan's skyline had they tried to return to the Queens airport they left minutes before.

"The downside risk of being wrong was catastrophic" considering the potential for fatalities to bystanders, according to safety consultant John Cox, an ex-Airbus pilot at the same airline. Mr. Sullenberger "could have made a different call," said Kitty Higgins, a former safety board member, "but his decision used the best information he had . . . and was based on his experience and instincts."

My business partner is an Airbus pilot/instructor. He was able to land at La Guardia. However, Sullenberger made a decision and executed his plan. It worked. Just like the cop did.

[HoneyBadger]

You never know all the answers when you have to take action.

This is exactly my point.

BG, thanks for posting that about Sully's scenario. Perfect example of taking what information you have and making the best of it.

[osok-308]

We can play "what if" for days. The reality is that the officer used the best tool for the job at the time. He prevented further escape and injuries. There is the possibility that there could have been someone behind the wall, but there wasn't, just like had he pulled a gun, there'd be the possibility that he'd miss and hit someone. There isn't such thing as risk elimination in situations like this, only risk mitigation.

[Hound]

Sounds like a good stop to me. Guy was out of control and going for more. He did not want to shot into a possible crowd but still wanted to stop the BG. This goes under play stupid games....... IMHO.

[jerrymrc]

I am surprised nobody has made the comparison yet. The Policeman did nothing wrong, that car just went on a off course trip all on its own. Just ban the cars and the streets will be safer for all of us.