Rookie cop who killed himself removed clip, left bullet in chamber
The San Francisco rookie police officer who accidentally shot himself to death fired his weapon while displaying for a female friend how officers are taught to avoid having their guns used against them, law enforcement authorities said Tuesday.
The incident happened at 1:40 a.m. Saturday during a gathering of as many as 15 people at the San Mateo apartment of the 23-year-old officer, James Gustafson Jr.
According to those familiar with the incident, Gustafson was showing his Police Department-issued semiautomatic pistol after removing the clip that stores the rounds. He explained that there are ways an officer can disable a weapon in close proximity to keep it from being fired.
It apparently was part of a demonstration of the department's "weapons retention" procedures. However, there was still a bullet in the chamber.
Gustafson pointed the weapon at his neck and pulled the trigger, shooting himself, according to authorities.
San Francisco Police Department policy is never to point a gun at a target that an officer does not intend to shoot, authorities said.
Okay, so we know the pistol issued was not an S&W… but we have clear Violations of Rules #1, #2 and #3, so it doesn't matter what kind of handgun it was, #1, and, #2, "smart-gun" technology is never gonna act as a substitute for the "smart-operator" kind.
"Okay, so we know the pistol issued was not an S&W…"
In January 1994, I had a brief conversation with John Cerar, then head of the NYPD Firearms and Tactics Training Unit, about why NYPD had specified the their optional S&W 5946's not have magazine-disconnect safeties, which might serve those officers who selected that model as "kill buttons" in event of a disarming attempt.
John replied that since most NYPD officer are not firearm enthusiasts, he couldn't take the risk that an officer who selected the S&W would then presume that all autoloaders were similarly equipped with magazine-disconnect safeties. In fact, during the initial trials, one officer had already been shot by a fellow officer who assumed that the NYPD 5946 had a magazine-disconnect safety, just like his privately owned S&W pistol.
As I recall, Sigmas and SW99's do not have such safeties and, for agency purchases, they are optional on the M&P's.
In fact, during the initial trials, one officer had already been shot by a fellow officer who assumed that the NYPD 5946 had a magazine-disconnect safety, just like his privately owned S&W pistol.
So, then it follows that, arguendo, the MOS also assumed that it would be "safe" to point a loaded pistol at another MOS and press the trigger because the traditional S&W magazine disconnector feature would preclude a discharge occurring.
Okay, while that doesn't work for me, that was Inspector Cerar's problem.
As I recall from my hunter safety courses, a safety (magazine or otherwise) is a mechanical device. They can all fail. No safety works as well as common sense. (It just seems to be a dwindling supply these days)
San Francisco P. D. is d e s p e r a t e in their endeavor to employ reasonable staffing requirements . . .
For Hire advertisements have been sighted as far away as Monterey !
(Paraphrasing) -
SFPD Now Hiring
Starting Salary - $ 66,000 -
(Seen pasted along side a Monterey County Transit Busser)
IMO -
The unfortunate incident is nothing more than a lack of attention to detail.
In brief -
S.F. City Hall and the Board of "supervisors" "work" counter to the concept of reasonable Law Enforcement technique(s).
i.e. -
Theresa Sparks
Transgender San Franciscan makes history as Woman of the Year
It was quite an entrance by anyone's standards.
A silence fell over the crowded floor of the state Assembly in Sacramento last week as lawmakers and their staffs slowly realized what they were about to witness.
Heads turned as Theresa Sparks nervously made her entrance along a walkway on the Assembly floor, the first transgender woman ever to be honored as an Assembly "Woman of the Year." Continued (if you dare)
and Chief Fong
[quote:tohhq4ww]
Born in 1956 and raised in San Francisco, Chief Heather Fong holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of San Francisco and a Master's degree in Social Work from San Francisco State University.
I feel sorry for the officer that his common sense and intelligence failed at the same time.
An unfortunate possible candidate for a Darwin award if I ever saw one.
I don't know what you were trying to point out with the chiefs biography the lady seems to have a typical resume for a large city police force. By that I mean a typical ticket puncher who has done everything possible to make herself appear well rounded. She at least has some operational experience where many large city chiefs don't.
As to the Ads, well every large police agency in the country is currently experiencing a shortage. Part of the reason being that many of the qualified candidates are joining the military instead, and the economy is doing fairly well so get used to seeing the ads.
I recently read where the Alaska state police due to their standards and the economy was holding job fairs in Michagan. So the hurts all over.
Transgender San Franciscan makes history as Woman of the Year
It was quite an entrance by anyone's standards.
A silence fell over the crowded floor of the state Assembly in Sacramento last week as lawmakers and their staffs slowly realized what they were about to witness.
Heads turned as Theresa Sparks nervously made her entrance along a walkway on the Assembly floor, the first transgender woman ever to be honored as an Assembly "Woman of the Year."
THERESA SPARKS TAKES OVER LEAD CHAIR OF POLICE COMMISSION A transgendered woman with a strong head for reform has taken over the top seat at the San Francisco Police Commission. Her name is Theresa Sparks. You may know her as CEO of Good Vibrations, the sex shop.
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