Tampa Bay Division: Police Shootings

The media is increasingly covering the number of police involved shootings over the past year. It has become a regular feature on the evening news; particularly when a black man is shot. Although I agree that police shootings needed more scrutiny that does not discount that the use of force, including the use of firearms is just a reality in todays world. More criminals have weapons and apparently are prepared to use them. Each police shooting should be investigated by an outside agency to make sure that good judgement was used. Florida police departments are increasingly having the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigate police involved shootings and this is a good thing. It is good for both the public AND the police. For too many years people have been suspect of the shootings. Now with phone cameras being able to record so many of these events we are seeing that the need for investigation was warranted. Police officers deserve to be protected just as members of the public must be protected. The work of the FDLE and other agencies like them will bring credibility back to badly tarnished institutions.