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How Law Enforcement Justifies the Use of Deadly ForceThe third officer-involved shooting in less than a month took place WednesdayRelated Content
ANCHORAGE – The third officer-involved shooting on Wednesday was the third in less than a month, but this is the only one involving an Alaska State Trooper. A trooper shot and wounded a 35-year-old Anchorage man who was allegedly holding a gun after a high-speed chase late Wednesday night. Troopers said the use of force is part of the job and protects the public and themselves. According to troopers, they tried to pull over Albert Samoa Maifea, but he ran a red light on the Parks Highway and drove into oncoming traffic, speeding at more than 100 miles an hour before the chase ended at Fairview Loop. “The individual was stopped or stopped his vehicle, got out of the vehicle and at some point brandished a handgun; the pursuing trooper then discharged his weapon striking the driver of that vehicle,” said Captain Hans Brinke, the “B” detachment commander for the Alaska State Troopers. Maifea survived, but Wednesday's shooting comes just days after Anchorage police shot and killed a man in South Anchorage and after another officer was found justified in his use of deadly force against a Mountain View man. So the question is how do the Alaska State Troopers handle use of force? Troopers said they follow national standards in their training. “If we are faced with a deadly force situation we are trained to shoot to stop the threat, not to kill,” said Alaska Bureau of Investigations Sergeant Chad Goeden, who has written articles on trooper actions in the past and has been featured in National Geographic's television series Alaska State Troopers. He said troopers do not go into situations with the intent to kill. “Its a worst nightmare for any officer or trooper to have to be involved in a deadly force situation where they may have to take another person's life, but that's what we're called upon to do in those circumstances,” said Goeden. “Certainly by the use of deadly force there's a strong likelihood that when we shoot people they very well might die; that's not our intent. “If we shoot them and the threat stops, then we stop shooting, we don’t' keep shooting if they are no longer a threat.” And when it comes to shooting certain parts of the body Goeden said the public has to be realistic. “These are very rapidly evolving dynamic situations. Arms and legs are often moving frantically. The offender may be running, the trooper or the officer may be running. The target is too small, its moving too quickly, the most effective way to stop the threat is to shoot at the largest, slowest moving part of the threat and that is the center mast of the body.” Troopers said in order to protect life sometimes you have to be prepared to take it. Every trooper involved shooting has to be investigated by the Alaska Bureau of Investigations and reviewed by the Office of Special Prosecutions and Appeals to determine whether the trooper acted lawfully. The Department of Public Safety then reviews the case to determine if the trooper followed policies and used every option to avoid using deadly force. |
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BobD said on Friday, Jul 6 at 2:09 PM
It's sad anytime Troopers are forced into these situations , but am glad they are there for our protection. Some folks , I'm afraid , watch too much TV/ movies and think all law enforcement folks can shoot to wound/ disable. They are not living in the real world. God forbid I'm ever in an event that causes me to have to shoot someone , but if it happens , I intend to make sure that person doesn't get up to try again.
95730651Shoot to Win said on Friday, Jul 6 at 6:36 PM
Crime is out of hand in Los Anchorage. It is actually cheaper to kill a criminal than for them to rot in jail for 10 years. So if you are committing a serious crime you deserve what you get.
95747166Raven33 said on Saturday, Jul 7 at 6:14 AM
The two with guns were definitely justified. The one with a stick is as well however the officer should have had a less lethal choice to use. Seeing how he didn't, he had the right to protect himself. I just hope the jury feels the same way about me if someone cames at me with a stick.
95771855Anonymous said on Sunday, Jul 8 at 5:33 PM
police cat and mouse game to hide the court dates coming up... toad's p i m p service happened in Anchorage...so Sully dives like a seagull to Hawaii to avoid being served and " he is not available " oh that is ok... they can be served in the sands too...
95869712TedtheBear said on Monday, Jul 9 at 7:12 AM
Law Enforcement do, what any Alaskan would do if we were threatened directly by a threat unknown. Anyone of us, if threaten have a right to defend ourselves. The cops have a legal authority to give orders and expect them to be obey. If the criminal do not obey and the produce a weapon, then it still self defense if the cop shoot the criminal. Any Alaskan won't do any less. Isn't that way we all owned an average of 5.5 firearms per household, largest in the United States??
95903136Jeff Ray JBER said on Tuesday, Jul 10 at 10:57 PM
Taking the oath of a police officer is not a suicide pact. They have the right of self defense and no duty to retreat in these rapidly evolving stressfull situations. Having non leathal alternatives available dosent mean the would have been effective or even appropriate given the circumstances These police shootings though tragic may have saved countless lives and prevented many crimes in the future.
96048911Anonymous said on Wednesday, Jul 11 at 1:33 PM
how do the citizens justify the use of deadly force? shoot first...ask later...oh wait APD does that too!
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