Lili Steer wants to know why another option wasn't used when police knew what awaited them from the 911 call: why not try and reason with Sylvia Klibingaitis from behind a shield? Why not retreat to a safe distance so de-escalation methods could be attempted on the distraught 52-year-old grandmother?
But the police experts testifying at the inquest looking into the police shootings of Klibingaitis as well as Reyal Jardine-Douglas, 25, and Michael Eligon, 29, maintained that reaching for their gun in such a situation is the officer's safest and best option.
Even if the person is in emotional distress.
Forget about shields and soft voice tones, batons and even Tasers, the three trainers from the Ontario Police College all agreed that when faced with a sharp edge weapon, they instruct recruits to create distance and draw their firearm.
Klibingaitis's sister seemed stunned that no other alternatives appear to be acceptable to them. "It seems like we have no choice but to shoot," she said incredulously.
So why are we having this inquest at all? (more...)
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