D.C. Policeman Accused of Pulling Gun to Quell Snowball Fight

Who knows what this guy saw that caused him to draw. It's some random cell phone video, not a live feed from this officer's eyeballs. He didn't point it at anyone and re-holstered. I've learned long ago that Monday morning quarterbacking and/or telling someone when they can/can't draw their weapon does nobody any good. Only the person who carries the gun for a living can decide when it's a gun day.

There are numerous inaccuracies in the story, compared to an objective examination of the video. The officer is NOT a plain-clothes officer. He's obviously in MPD uniform, including the patch on his jacket. His firearm holster is in the upper thigh tactical position, not concealed from view. Having worked in DC, and other major metropolitan areas, I know that it would not be unheard of for a riot to break out during a public emergency over parking spaces, traffic "violations" or other real or imagined slights. They often start off low key (like throwing snowballs) and end up in major violence. The LONE officer, witnessed a grand melee in the middle of the street during a snow emergency under conditions of low visibility. Not knowing what was going on, he took action to ensure the peace. He drew his firearm and kept it AT HIS SIDE... a viable and correct precaution. He did not exude anger, just authority. Once he believed the situation offered no personal or public danger, he holstered his sidearm, having NEVER threatened anyone with it, nor even pointing it anywhere but at the ground. In FACT, the only reason this is even an issue is because the camera angle shows the officer's weapon side. Those persons in front of him may not have even seen his sidearm.

Also remember that there have been a number of ambushes of police officers within the last couple months. ANY officer who approaches a crowd of what appears to be engaged in any kind of combat without being in a heightened state of alert and readiness is a fool. My only admonishment for the officer would be the act of approaching the crowd alone. But even then, under the conditions that existed, he was probably aware that there was a limited availability of units to respond to the situation and an inability to arrive in a timely manner if they were available. He most likely felt that he HAD to act to prevent any escalation in violence, IF his worst fears were realized. Relieved that it was just a snowball fight, but irritated at the irresponsibility of the grand melee occuring in the middle of the street, causing a traffic hazard and puting him in a position to be DUTY BOUND to take action in the middle of a declared state of emergency, he showed remarkable restraint.

As for an officer driving a Hummer... give me a break!!!! WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE???? His circumstances and how he chooses to spend HIS money is no one's business as long as it doesn't involve corruption!!!!!!!!!

Postal1 says..."Your right, he should have to do what I had to do, 34 days in County, 40K for a lawyer, all for threating another driver (in their opinion). When police stopped me on the way to the gun range a half an hour later, they found 5 rifles, 4 handguns,,,,,,,,,,,,,arrested, guilty until proven innocent......"
Another disgruntled postal worker? Just a coincidence that you had guns in your car and was threatening another driver? Yea,,,,,, right!

Excuse me I wasn't there. But hey, people get killed in snowball fights especially when those invited are there to cause trouble. 'Oh what a lovely day to have a snoball fight and get some cranked up in over drive.' Not as simple as it sounds I'm sure. Well Yousef Ali" you pulled it off without a hitch and LE is the bad guys! I often wonder what makes you guy run on high test and always there to bring your bag of Cop Banging tricks. Get real dear people, ever heard of explosive situations happening in what looks like the best of interntions lace with FUN!!!

They can afford to drive a Hummer in Dc. being a Cop? If there wasn't so much snow (and crazy gun toting Hummer drivers) I just might leave San Francisco, I drive a Saturn.

Respect My Authorita!

NO COMMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I guess I can understand now why D.C. has some of the strictest firearms laws in the Nation, they don't want their officers shot when they interrupt snowball fights with their guns out while wearing plain clothes. Since when did your car getting hit with a snowball become anywhere near a crime involving the risk of death or serious bodily injury warranting the use of deadly force? When you add the fact that the Officer was driving a Hummer, the civilian version of a MILITARY vehicle and probably impervious to MOST snowballs, the ludicrous becomes whatever is beyond ludicrous. Stupid comes to mind.