Woman killed in simulation exercise at Florida police academy

Platapus · 08-10-16, 04:28 PM

Unfortunately, her death was not a simulation

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/08/10...e-academy.html

Quote:

A 73-year-old Florida woman taking part in a citizen police academy was shot multiple times with a revolver and killed by a police officer during a "shoot/don't shoot" role-playing exercise Tuesday, authorities said.

Mary Knowlton volunteered for the demonstration and was assigned the role of "victim," according to a Charlotte Sun photographer who covered the event. The officer who shot her was playing the "bad guy," though it's unclear why the officer's gun contained live rounds or how and where Knowlton was shot.

"We were unaware that any live ammunition was available to the officer at the time,"said Punta Gorda police Chief Tom Lewis, who also confirmed the weapon used was known to be an "actual firearm."

Lewis called the shooting an accident and said the scenario occurred during an exercise in which authorities use simulated lethal force in a live scenario, according to WBBH-TV. He said a number of department personnel were present during the demo, including Lewis.
"It's just a horrific time for all of us," Lewis said during a Wednesday afternoon news conference.

Knowlton, a mom, wife and career librarian, was originally from Minnesota but moved to Punta Gorda recently with her husband, The Washington Post reported.

She was taken to Lee Memorial Hospital and later pronounced dead.
"I am devastated for everyone involved in this unimaginable event. If you pray, please pray for Mary's family, and for the officers who were involved. Everyone involved in this accident is in a state of overwhelming shock and grief," Lewis said.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the incident and the officer involved in the shooting has been placed on leave. The officer was not identified.

A demonstration with live ammunition? Why were they even using real weapons. Florida has not learned of training weapons?

I hope this officer will soon be an ex-officer. Anyone that negligent has no reason to be entrusted with carrying a weapon.

Protip: When asked to participate in a police exercise, politely decline.

Perhaps the story will change and the officer felt threatened by the 73 year old lady.

Oberon · 08-10-16, 04:37 PM

Damn, that is unfortunate, and I hope there is a major investigation and a clean up in procedure there. I recall a while ago there was an incident in France where 17 people were injured after a soldier from the 3rd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment opened fire during a demonstration of hostage-freeing techniques at a barracks in Carcassonne and his magazine contained live rounds instead of blanks.

Cybermat47 · 08-10-16, 05:26 PM

How the hell did that even happen?!

MaDef · 08-10-16, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cybermat47

How the hell did that even happen?!

The person with the weapon was not paying attention to detail.

Jeff-Groves · 08-10-16, 06:12 PM

There was a time I care about LEO's
If they do not fry this arse?
I'll no longer morn the shooting of one of them.
Time to end the Boys in Blue thing they stand behind to often.

Aktungbby · 08-10-16, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

Protip: When asked to participate in a police exercise, politely decline.

Perhaps the story will change and the officer felt threatened by the 73 year old lady.

Of late, living in Amerika is a police exercise

and you can't decline...cause 'Merika is declining!

vienna · 08-10-16, 07:44 PM

Commie!!!...

<O>

em2nought · 08-10-16, 07:47 PM

I feel sad about this one since she wasn't actually a criminal.

nikimcbee · 08-10-16, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aktungbby

Of late, living in Amerika is a police exercise

and you can't decline...cause 'Merika is declining!

whatevah....

fireftr18 · 08-10-16, 08:25 PM

Every time I participated in a police simulation exercise, those in charge checked every real firearm to make sure the magazine was OUT and there was not a round in the chamber.

August · 08-10-16, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff-Groves

There was a time I care about LEO's
If they do not fry this arse?
I'll no longer morn the shooting of one of them.
Time to end the Boys in Blue thing they stand behind to often.

So you being a civilian and some civilians being murderers means we shouldn't mourn you either?

LEO is a difficult and stressful job that is performed skillfully and compassionately by the great majority of those who wear the badge. To hold them all responsible for the actions of a few bad apples is unfair and discourages the very ones you (ought to) want to keep.

08-10-16, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cybermat47

How the hell did that even happen?!

I'm just as amazed about this as you are, unbelievable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff-Groves

There was a time I care about LEO's
If they do not fry this arse?
I'll no longer morn the shooting of one of them.
Time to end the Boys in Blue thing they stand behind to often.

So, any slain cop in the future won't get any sympathy because someone who had nothing to do with him screwed up?

Solid logic right there!
How about you take a short cut and just hate every human being on the planet because... you know, they're the same species as bad cops as well.

Edit:

Quote:

Originally Posted by August

So you being a civilian and some civilians being murderers means we shouldn't mourn you either?

LEO is a difficult and stressful job that is performed skillfully and compassionately by the great majority of those who wear the badge. To hold them all responsible for the actions of a few bad apples is unfair and discourages the very ones you (ought to) want to keep.

Well said, I agree.

Jimbuna · 08-11-16, 06:45 AM

Absolutely tragic, hopefully a thorough investigation will come up with protocols that prevents this ever happening again.

Oberon · 08-11-16, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nippelspanner

Solid logic right there!
How about you take a short cut and just hate every human being on the planet because... you know, they're the same species as bad cops as well.

NeonSamurai · 08-11-16, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Absolutely tragic, hopefully a thorough investigation will come up with protocols that prevents this ever happening again.

There are already protocols but they don't do much if they aren't followed.

Frankly I am both amazed and not that this level of stupidity happened. Most sane police forces would never do something like that. They would use a paintball gun, or a purpose built blank gun that cant load live ammo, not a <censored> service weapon. Rule 1 in gun safety, never point a weapon at anything you don't intend to shoot at, even if you think the gun is unloaded.

Also what on earth was the point of this exercise that they needed to use a live fire exercise with a supposedly blank loaded weapon to begin with? I mean I've heard of lots of issues with the Florida PDs, but this just takes it to a whole new level of incompetence.

08-10-16, 05:26 PM	#3
Cybermat47 Willing Webfooted Beast Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Australia Posts: 5,386 Downloads: 293 Uploads: 22	How the hell did that even happen?! __________________ Historical TWoS Gameplay Guide: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?p=2572620 Historical FotRSU Gameplay Guide: https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/sho....php?p=2713394

08-10-16, 06:12 PM	#5
Jeff-Groves Village Idiot Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 5,321 Downloads: 130 Uploads: 0	There was a time I care about LEO's If they do not fry this arse? I'll no longer morn the shooting of one of them. Time to end the Boys in Blue thing they stand behind to often. __________________ I don't do Stupid. So don't ask.

08-10-16, 07:44 PM	#7
vienna Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anywhere but the here & now... Posts: 7,507 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	Commie!!!... <O> __________________ __________________________________________________ __

08-10-16, 07:47 PM	#8
em2nought Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,286 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I feel sad about this one since she wasn't actually a criminal. __________________ ISRAEL: Essentially "The Alamo" 24/7, 365 since 1947

08-10-16, 08:25 PM	#10
fireftr18 Ocean Warrior Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 2,526 Downloads: 77 Uploads: 0	Every time I participated in a police simulation exercise, those in charge checked every real firearm to make sure the magazine was OUT and there was not a round in the chamber. __________________ Of all the forms of Martial Arts, Karaoke causes the most pain!

08-10-16, 04:37 PM	#2
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Damn, that is unfortunate, and I hope there is a major investigation and a clean up in procedure there. I recall a while ago there was an incident in France where 17 people were injured after a soldier from the 3rd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment opened fire during a demonstration of hostage-freeing techniques at a barracks in Carcassonne and his magazine contained live rounds instead of blanks.

08-11-16, 06:45 AM	#13
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 181,344 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Absolutely tragic, hopefully a thorough investigation will come up with protocols that prevents this ever happening again. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!! GWX3.0 Download Page - Donation/instant access to GWX (Help SubSim)