by Nolan Lickey

Business Management

Officer John McKay has been on the force for two years. He is considered by many to be "heavy handed" in enforcement duties. Brash and somewhat unpredictable, John is not well liked by fellow officers, although all consider him honest and hardworking.

On July 16, at 10 p.m., Officer McKay is involved in a shooting. While investigating a "burglary in progress" call at a private residence, Officer McKay shot and killed a 15-year old boy. The victim turned out to be a neighbor, apparently burglarizing a house while he believed the owners to be away. Officer McKay insisted the victim ignored repeated warnings to surrender, and raised a pistol. There were no additional witness. Subsequent investigation failed to turn any weapons possessed by the victim, but a wood chisel was found beside him, and their were "Jimmy" marks on the door of the house.

The shooting was ruled "unjustified" by a departmental shooting review board. John was dismissed from the force, de-certified as a police officer, and may be prosecuted for negligent homicide.

Although publicly silent, fellow officers are in wide agreement that the shooting was "justified" and that officer McKay was made a scapegoat because of the media attention and notoriety of the case. Alter all, any of them might have had the call instead of John. Morale sinks among the officers, and considerable unofficial discussion takes place on the subject of "what if this had been me"?

Questions:

Would you have made the same decision as the Shooting Review Board?

Does the fact that the boy was only 15 years old matter?

Does the act of the boy trying to commit a crime matter?

Is there ever a reason to take a life?

Should police officers carry weapons?