Social Question

rebbel's avatar

How many law enforcement officers does it take to change a light bulb?

Asked by rebbel (35553points) July 17th, 2022

Or, to stop an active school shooter for that matter?

Just read a report that states that nearly four hundred (400) leo’s went to the school in Uvalde, and it took them (this is old news) over an hour to shoot the killer.

How can it be that not even one officer had the balls to say “screw the chain of command, I’m going in”?
From 400…..
(Not counting the few officers who did go in and took their own kids out of different class rooms).

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7 Answers

Brian1946's avatar

Only one if they’re also a teacher.

Otherwise, as many as can gather to keep any civilians from changing the bulb, while waiting for all the other bulbs to burn out.

HP's avatar

That’s the problem. Before assuming cowardice, let’s consider the issue of personal intiative vs. the possible consequences from bucking the chain. Of course, if you arrive at a scene already flooded with cops, you are going to assume someone there better apprised of the situation than yourself. You are also entitled to assume the man or woman with rank to make the decision on which hang the lives of all involved. We’ve all heard that fortune favors the bold, and the one about he who hesitates. But God knows, combat training aside, I would be hesitant about assaulting a building filled with kids. That there were 400 people confronted with such a situation would matter not one bit regarding the enormity of any decision involved.

Inspired_2write's avatar

Apparently the one in charge never gave the command.
I had seen videos of parents held back from going in to save their children.
Heartrenching, as for sure I wouldn’t care and push my way in for any of my children.

smudges's avatar

Leos and others who serve – like the armed forces – are well-trained not to take things into their own hands, but to wait for the commanding officer to give orders. Not that that’s always the correct thing and I’m not defending anyone, just sayin’.

janbb's avatar

It depends on the situation. If you want to put 60 bullets in a Black man, you need a lot of cops!

Blackwater_Park's avatar

This was most certainly a procedural failure.

Forever_Free's avatar

Trick question here.
They don’t change bulbs, they break them to give them just cause to pull you over.

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