A former constable's observations on the issue of police training

FOXNews.com - Some States Put Untrained Cops on Duty - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News:
"In Mississippi, Greenwood Police Officer Casey Wiggins was captured by surveillance cameras at a high school in the Mississippi Delta in December, pointing his weapon at an unarmed student, 17-year-old James Marshall. Marshall, who was not disciplined by the school or charged with a crime, is suing for $2 million."

I saw the video of this incident on Fox News today and I was very disappointed that no one pointed out what the officer did right. The officer walked up to a group of male students in the hall and and a scuffle ensued. Officer Wiggins did not draw his weapon until he was on the ground flat on his back, at no time did he place his finger inside the trigger guard, and - when the students promptly backed off - he got to his feet and immediately reholstered his weapon. The entire incident was over in a matter of a few seconds.

It might have been better to have drawn pepper spray with his off hand while using his gun hand to secure his weapon in its holster, but this was a split second judgment and it ended well. Once you are on the ground, your options for self-defense are limited. Instead of suing the officer, Mr. Marshall's parents should have their son apologize for the incident.

As to the broader issue of waivers of training for police officers, that is not an issue here in Pennsylvania. Training must be completed before officers take to the streets. The state police operate their own academy as do many larger municipal agencies. Most smaller municipalities rely on hiring officers who have paid their own way to attend a state-certified police academy, some of which are run by community colleges. All must meet at least the state's minimum standards for faculty qualifications, length of training, subject matter, and proficiency. The state also has separate commissions specifying training standards for deputy sheriffs and for constables with the actual training being contracted out to various colleges.