Editorial: Review of training is correct decision

Thursday, Sept. 28, 2000 | 9:45 a.m.

In the aftermath of three shootings this year that violated Metro Police's use-of-force guidelines, Sheriff Jerry Keller did the right thing this week when he ordered a review of department training procedures. Keller said the review should help him determine whether the policy violations were due to a training glitch, a policy that hasn't been stressed enough, or simply were isolated incidents.

The sheriff's move follows a finding Monday by Metro's use-of-force board that a detective violated guidelines in August when he fired two shots at a suspect in a moving vehicle. The detective said he fired the shots after he saw the suspect fumble for something in the car. A hypodermic needle and drugs subsequently were discovered, but no gun was found in the car.

Criminal suspects who try to outrun the police create potentially dangerous conditions. While it's critical to catch lawbreakers, at the same time the police must avoid as much as possible taking risks that also could endanger the public.

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