He approached the police officers with it and they pulled their service weapons and retreated trying to keep a safe distance while containing the armed man. All the while they endeavoured to keep busy downtown traffic out of harms way. When at length, this “gentle man” charged at one of the officers after one minute and forty seconds of the standoff, he was shot. Once, to the centre of the mass, just like the officers were trained to do so. V.H. died as a result.

The complicit media tried to nail the officers on the wall, tried to obsfuscate the sequence of events to paint the police as killers and all manner of evil things. The reality is that THEY WERE DOING THEIR JOBS in investigating a just occurred theft from auto and wound up being themselves placed in harm’s way. Those two members accepted their responsibility in spite of the danger, and while trying to focus on the danger they faced also did everything they could to keep the public out of harm’s way as the drama unfolded. Never mind the nonsense from the family, from the so-called witness who said police deleted video from his phone while saying the police fired several shots, never mind all the nonsense. Those two police officers did their jobs on that day and for that they deserve to be supported not chastised by the chattering class.

And for the family, I am sorry for your loss. But really, why was your loved one homeless in Vancouver? why did he pull a knife one minute after being engaged by the police? and finally, in the face of warnings to drop the knife, why did he charge at one officer? waste your time, money and energy in a lawsuit if you want, but the two members of the VPD did their job on that fateful day. Consistent with community based policing principles.

“The basis mission of the police is to prevent crime and disorder,” as the VPD officers were trying to accomplish.

“Police should use physical force only to the extent necessary to ensure compliance with the law or to restore order only after persuasion, advice and warnings are insufficient.” Exactly as the officers did, despite what the witness claims.

This story carrys a distinct sadness as a result. Not long ago the media did not make news or spin news. They reported it. They were fair and balanced but they always worked to get the story and hold those responsible accountable for what they did. They never created a story. But they worked tirelessly to get the story. And they questioned everything.

Not so today I’m afraid.

Thanks, Sandra

To be honest, I’m more afraid of these people and the way they skew our perceptions of each other than of any homeless person I’ve ever seen. They are tearing at the fabric of social debate. We can survive any incident better than the ripping of our social fabric.

I guess they are no mystery to our first responders, but ick.

For the big and terrible things you take care of, for the little annoying icks you send safely on their way,

To all law enforcement and first responders of all sorts,

Thank You Very Much.
Ann T.

I actually think zealous unofficial oversight is a good and necessary thing to bring the perception of balance. (I don’t mean the stunt pulled by Mr. Smolcic)

It just means we have to support our police that much more when, as in this case, they are proven to have acted rightly.

“Lets see…batons, stun guns, flak jackets…close combat training. And nothing used other than a gun? Drunk (wide stance and staggering) and beligerent = an easy take down. Those posting ‘for’ the cops in this instance need their heads examined”

Because you know… that vest is sure going to save you from a knife right? That little piece of protective equipment makes you invincible to all types of weapons.

“these are police officers and they should have some kind of training to deal with weapons with different level of damage. a gun > axe > baseball bat > box cutter etc. you dont deal with all of them with one tool- the gun. this logic comes from a civilian with no credentials/ back ground in martial arts , law enforcement and such. put me in that situation with a police baton, i couldn’t taken care of that with the old guy in the hospital then jail in no time.”

Could we please put this guy in the same situation? Seeing as he thinks its so easy… Maybe he could fend this guy off with a baton, but what happens when the guy takes a swipe at him with the knife, cuts something on his leg and now he cant walk properly for the rest of his life, or the guy grabs an innocent bystander and is now threatening THEM with the knife… Too many what if’s if you ask me. From the looks of it, all the weapons he described in his post are right up there in Grievous Bodily Harm, I for one wouldn’t want to fight someone with any of those weapons with a baton…

I think the officers in this video handled the situation as best as they could and attempted to deescalate the problem. It’s a shame that people are so quick to judge the police and their actions without being fully informed, yet in the first sign of trouble their reaching for the cell phones to call 911.

On a side note I really hope the guy with the “deleted cell phone footage” is actually charged. How many people called BS when that story suddenly fell off the face of the planet (if not before then)?

Pivot and the BCCLA have the oppertunity to do a lot of good work but they seem to just look for any police actions and try to find a way to plce the blame for that action completly on the police rather than the criminal creating the situation. It seems that they are never held accountable for thier statements either.

Sorry for the rant but between the media, the DA, Pivot and the BCCLA, they just get me angry sometimes.

It is about time VPD started calling things their real names. Especially welcome would be VPD’s labelling drug dealers as murderers and the appropriate treatment which comes with that.

My thoughts go out to the 2 Members, and their families…………………. time is on your side.

Cheers

As I sit on my couch in my safe home and watch the video, I think about all of the factors the officers were dealing with: the knife, the short distance between them, passer-byers, the roadway, the rain, a subject not responding to verbal commands, etc. In contrast, the officers had to analyze all of this in the heat of the moment. A big difference.

I say thanks to the officers for protecting the community.

I believe the officers acted courageously and with great patience.
However, I do have one problem with the incident. What were the bystanders thinking!? where does anyone get the idea that walking beside two officers with their guns drawn at a suspect is a good idea? Im absolutely astonished at a few of these bystanders actions, unbelievable.

Again your blog is fantastic keep the posts coming!

Sandra

1. The officers. Handled an incredibly tough situation well. It’s hard to tell from that distance what finally prompted them to shoot (maybe it came out in the investigation) but clearly they were backing off and were trying not to have to use deadly force. The officer sounds remarkably composed after the fact…given that an shocking event has just occurred I don’t conclude anything from that it just stuck out to me.

2. The investigation. A necessity and I’m glad it vindicated the officers. The video was a great help.

I do have one question about the medical care given to the victim. He was immediately handcuffed after the shooting, placed on his stomach and then held there by a single officer. I understand that as an immediate precaution and no doubt it is procedure. But it looks like it took about 5 minutes before any medical attention was given to the victim by an officer on scene. I doubt it would have helped in this case but I’m wondering what are the rules for rendering first aid to a suspect? Are you allowed to render first aid to a handcuffed suspect or told to wait for EHS? Not criticizing just trying to understand.