Should the Police Officers who watched a child drown, be charged with Manslaughter?

trooper3316

As a police officer, I am disappointed with that story. Not knowing how to swim would be the only argument I would even consider, but this was not metioned. No officer is trained for everything, but they should have at least made an effort.

I am concerned that the story is one sided, and therefore may not be totally accurate. If the reporter was interested in the whole story, she would have asked why two children, ages 8 and 10 were swimming without supervision.

Snowy.com

The police officer has to be questioned clearly about this,if no answers then jail is where he belongs.

Screwed in the USA

I only heard this on the radio, and I think it's awfully sad. If they did absolutely nothing (not even calling fellow officers), then they should at least be dismissed. I'm sure they'll argue in court though that they can't swim, and/or weren't trained properly. I agree with you, I can't swim at all, but I would at least shout or call for help.

Officer

When I put on my uniform I add 38lbs. Couple that with a movement restricting vest, heavy boots, and a weight belt around your middle.

If an officer jumps in the water like that, they will end up as the second victim.

Now with there being a second officer there I might try to get everything off and jump in as long as my equipment could be secured, but not being trained as a rescue swimmer trying to save another person in water can end up getting you drown as they pull you under with them.

As the saying goes it is better to be tried by 12 then carried by 6.

namsaev

Why didn't the person who spent the time to film the thing do something? Oh they weren't trained either?

Now what makes them different? How typical. You blame one side but not the other.

jessica_and_jay8883

if they cant swim then they shouldnt be police officers i could care less if it was in the middle of arizona every police officer should be required to know how to swim just because of reasons like that

so yea i bealive those cops should be made to sit in prison for the next couple years

joker

If those are all the facts and there was a possibility to save him, then I can't imagine what they were thinking.

Tom K

If they called for help that was all they can do.

If your not trained do not half *** it. Stay out of the water and call for help. The only thing that happens when an idiot that cant swim jumps in is another person to rescue or another body to pull from the river.

celtic_saltire

After giving this question much thought, I can only come to the conclusion that the two police officers involved should be psychologically evaluated, why? it is human instinct to react impulsively to save another human in danger, especially children, why didn't they?

Tebow

Failure to render every assistance to a person in grave danger is on the books in most -if not all- European countries as a big no-no,with stiff penalties..

I know that in our country sometimes a normal citizen will not intervene to help someone because victims have been known to sue their Â¨saviourÂ´afterwards. (Â¨ oh,what a beautiful piece of work is man!!!Â¨)

But for police officers to do this must surely be dereliction of duty and should be punishable by law.

One of my classmates,a poor swimmer, jumped into a raging river to save an old woman and my classmate drowned. This was 40 years ago and I have never forgotten her bravery and her sacrifice. She wasn't trained either.

After Katrina we also saw policemen abandoning their posts.
Fortunately, we also saw police and firemen in NY doing their duty with no thought for their lives.

In the end it comes down to the moral worth of each individual.

jakedog

One answer said the story was one-sided? typical response from a cop. Most of you are cowards that hide behind your badges and this story just proves my point. A child is drowing..You save him...end of story. I hope one of the cops reads this answer. YOU are a coward! ...period.

STEVEN F

I noticed the passers-by that rescued the girl BEFORE the officers arrived did not rescue the boy. Why is that? Perhaps they considered it too dangerous without proper training and/or equipment.

With all due respect, you have no idea how you would have acted had you been there.

utahmike42

When evaluating a situation such as this you have to take into consideration whether or not attempting to do something would make the situation worse or not. While the very real danger the child was in is terrible, sending in someone who is not trained and experienced in water rescue would make for TWO victims (or more) and not just one. Your actions, while commendable and understandable, were likely to endanger YOUR life as well. The best thing you could have done was be a good witness and stayed out of the water.

ohiofirefighter42

while you dont swim well,.... they may not be able to swim at all.

Darkwolf

There is no law against not saving someone, unless you can show depraved indifference.

Not going to happen here.

Condor

Of course they should be criminally charged and fired from their jobs. All police can do and doing nowadays are harassing citizens and tazer college students for no reason.

David B

Generally, there is no duty to act to save, for example a drowning child. However, here are times when you must act to save a drowning child.

1. If you start to save the drowning child, and you quit before saving the child. You had a duty to save the child.
2. If you placed the child in the pool so he/she started drowning, then you have a duty.
3. If there is a special relationship. For example, parent has duty to save child. Also, shopkeepers, hotel owners and those who control buses/planes/trains have a duty to help their guests.

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