Current Events > Is the cop who didn't enter the high school during the mass shooting a coward?

(+) Yeah! (+)

The home of the former school resource deputy who stayed outside the Florida high school as last weeks massacre unfolded was being protected Friday by law enforcement officials even as President Trump called out the ex-cop, suggesting he was a "coward."

Deputy Scot Peterson was armed and stationed on campus when Nikolas Cruz opened fire.

Reporters who attempted to approach the West Palm Beach home of ex-Broward County Sheriff's Office Deputy Scot Peterson were reportedly met with resistance from at least six police officers who were standing guard outside. Peterson's family requested privacy and protection following Peterson's resignation.

Before departing for his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday morning, Trump, in a set of fiery remarks, lambasted Peterson. "When it came time to get in there and do something, he didn't have the courage, or something happened," Trump said. "He certainly did a poor job. That's the case where somebody was outside, they are trained, they didn't react properly under pressure or they were a coward."

Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel said Peterson, who was armed when gunman Nikolas Cruz opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, never went in[to] the building that was under attack. He said the school resource officer instead took up a position viewing the western entrance of the building.

Israel said he was devastated, sick to my stomach after learning of Petersons inaction during the school shooting that left 17 people dead. The sheriff said he believes Peterson remained outside the building for roughly four minutes, while the shooting in total lasted around six minutes. Israel said the officer never fired his weapon.

"What matters is that when we, in law enforcement, arrive at an active shooter, we go in and address he target," the sheriff said. "And thats what shouldve been done." When asked what Peterson should have done, Israel said the deputy should have "went in, addressed the killer, killed the killer. There are no words. I mean, these families lost their children...I've been to the funerals...I've been to the vigils. It's just, ah, there are no words."

Peterson resigned Thursday after video surveillance showed he never entered the school, even though he clearly knew there was a shooting taking place, officials said.

Officer Tim Burton of the Coral Springs Police Department, who responded to the shooting, told the New York Times that Peterson was seeking cover behind a concrete column leading to a stairwell.

Student Jenna Jorsten said she was in shock Peterson stayed outside especially after learning of unarmed teachers and students risking their lives to save others.

If hes the one with a gun, he should be the one out there with the gun trying to protect the kids, she said. Why was he hiding outside? It just makes no sense to me whatsoever. I mean it just doesnt make sense to me at all.

Cruz, 19, has been jailed on 17 counts of murder and police said he confessed to being the shooter. efense attorneys, state records and people who knew him indicate Cruz displayed behavioral troubles for years.

Two other deputies Edward Eason and Guntis Treijis. from the Broward County Sheriff's Office have been placed on restrictive duty as officials investigate "whether or not they could have done more, shouldve done more."

Their restricted assignments come as authorities found they responded to at least 23 calls regarding Cruz or his brother since 2008. In two of the instances protocol might not have been followed.

Israel said an investigation remains ongoing.

Full Article: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/02/23/police-officers-guard-home-deputy-assigned-to-florida-hs-who-never-went-in-during-shooting-report.html



Hmm
---

That just makes me think about this shooting a bit more. Not jumping to any conclusions though.
---

What do you think, Unfair?
---

LightningAce11 posted...

What do you think, Unfair?

The same as I always do when this comes up
---

Where is the Fuck yes, no ifs, ands or buts about it choice?

Btw, you can be both cowardly and smart at the same time. Its not an either or situation.
---

Easy to say you would, harder when actually faced with the situation. Him not going in was self preservation, I'm sure if he would of had another officer with him. Most cops are like that though
---

Yes. its literally the job he signed up for...what did he think that sort of job entailed?
---

I know why he froze
I can understand it
I can even sympathize with it

But even I would call myself a coward had it been me in his shoes
I wouldn't be able to live with myself
after having listened to children die
because I was thinking about my own retirement.
---

Imagine putting on your badge to "serve and protect" every day before you went and spent every day of the work week with those children. Then one day you hear repeated gunfire coming from inside the school. You decide to just guard the entrance to the school and never go in.

I honestly cant fathom it. I dont even think its cowardice. Something else is at play here
---

solosnake posted...

I honestly cant fathom it. I dont even think its cowardice. Something else is at play here

he definitely made a business decision
he was up for retirement real soon
---

I voted yes, but part of the issue is probably that this guy probably had shit training. It's like the vast, vast majority of these security guards will never face this situation, so it's kind of impractical and tough to make sure that these guards would be actually prepared for something the vast vast majority of them will never face.
---

KillerKhan420 posted...

Easy to say you would, harder when actually faced with the situation. Him not going in was self preservation, I'm sure if he would of had another officer with him. Most cops are like that though

The question isnt about what we would do. Its asking if the cop was a coward.

Do I think the cop, the one person on the scene who was armed and trained for law enforcement and whose job it was to protect people being murdered, was a coward for not entering the school? Yes.

Do I think I probably would also find it hard to enter the school and could be called cowardly if I too did not try to protect those students? Yes.

Its really not that hard to think through.
---

Im not going to judge him because facing death isnt something you can really prepare yourself for. And this man likely hates himself enough without anyone else piling on.

Also, fuck Trump, big bloated bitch
---

KillerKhan420 posted...

Easy to say you would, harder when actually faced with the situation. Him not going in was self preservation, I'm sure if he would of had another officer with him. Most cops are like that though

No one said they don't get why he did it apart from one emotional irrational schoolgirl.

The question over your head is: is that act cowardice?
---

Sativa_Rose posted...

I voted yes, but part of the issue is probably that this guy probably had shit training. It's like the vast, vast majority of these security guards will never face this situation, so it's kind of impractical and tough to make sure that these guards would be actually prepared for something the vast vast majority of them will never face.

he wasn't a security guard, he was a police officer who had been on the force 30+ years
---

YOUHAVENOHOPE posted...

Sativa_Rose posted...

I voted yes, but part of the issue is probably that this guy probably had shit training. It's like the vast, vast majority of these security guards will never face this situation, so it's kind of impractical and tough to make sure that these guards would be actually prepared for something the vast vast majority of them will never face.

he wasn't a security guard, he was a police officer who had been on the force 30+ years

Oh okay, that makes it worse, but still I think most cops never fire their weapon in combat.
---

UnfairRepresent posted...

LightningAce11 posted...

What do you think, Unfair?

The same as I always do when this comes up

And that is?
---

Aeriis posted...

I really cant blame him. Going in alone with a handgun? I wouldnt go inside either. Not without good equipment or other policemen.

well, no offense but youre a girl i mean that makes sense
---

That's video games tho Aeriis
The effective range for most handguns ends at 50m
But there's no way they'd be fighting at that range since this was inside, in close quarters

and that's not even the point
The shooting went on for 6 minutes. He froze for 4 minutes. And never went inside.

The standard training now, as i understand, is to go inside immediately and thwart the shooter
There's no waiting for backup anymore, not after Columbine.
I may be wrong about that, but that was what would have saved more kids.

Even distracting him. Drawing his fire and taking cover would have been enough.
---

YOUHAVENOHOPE posted...

Even distracting him. Drawing his fire and taking cover would have been enough.

This. He needed to at least try to engage the shooter after calling for backup.
---

YOUHAVENOHOPE posted...

I know why he froze
I can understand it
I can even sympathize with it

But even I would call myself a coward had it been me in his shoes
I wouldn't be able to live with myself
after having listened to children die
because I was thinking about my own retirement.

---

All I know is intention always outweighs reality.

You can talk about being the biggest hero, and have the best intentions. When it happens, then and there, you are likely going to die a hero, or live on the rest of your life, with seconds to decide, no saying goodbye to anyone, and making a split decision to die then and there, no one, and I mean absolutely NO ONE can sit here and tell me you know exactly how you would react in that scenario. If you argue otherwise, you are ignorant or a liar.

For that reason alone, I can't call this man a coward. I can tell you all with 100% honestly that I would give my life to save those kids and mean it with all of my heart, but when shots are fired and adrenaline kicks in, your body and instincts take over, and it can very much dominate your best intentions or what you believed you would do and how you would react.

It's very easy to be an onlooker passing judgement.
---

Trump didn't want to meet the shooting victims on live television. He needs to shut his little bitch ass up and sit the fuck down, and only say what's on his notes that people write for him.

coward.

doesn't make him a bad person, but he's a coward. it's not a nice title to have, and it's a very hurtful word. but the shoe fits and it must be worn. no if, and or but can change what happened and why.

fear comes with the territory of the job, but when fear becomes the obstacle to kept you from at least trying... you're a coward.
---

Maybe but it probably saved his life. half of cops who engage active shooters end up getting shot according to statistics. AR-15 vs handgun is not a good match up. You need a SWAT team for that shit. A regular cop is not really equipped for that kind of situation.
---

No. A cop who decided not to shoot someone should be praised

Darklit_Minuet posted...

No. A cop who decided not to shoot someone should be praised

your gimmick just makes your side look worse and worse
---

PlsGodDontBanMe posted...

Darklit_Minuet posted...

No. A cop who decided not to shoot someone should be praised

your gimmick just makes your side look worse and worse

misplaced edginess is funny too, though. just not in a way that's flattering for the edgelord.
---

When you become a cop, that comes with the risk of putting yourself in danger to protect others. He may as well have said he had bone spurs....
---

He didnt do enough.
That said, it is also dangerous to expect every police to turn into Rambo and singlehanded take care of every shooting.
---

AngelicTouch99 posted...

is that really the dude's house? i heard his house needs constant police protection

Trump: "If we armed teachers this wouldn't have happened because the shooters are cowards"
"There was a armed faculty member at the school"
Trump: "Oh, well...um... he doesn't count?"

MabusIncarnate posted...

All I know is intention always outweighs reality.

You can talk about being the biggest hero, and have the best intentions. When it happens, then and there, you are likely going to die a hero, or live on the rest of your life, with seconds to decide, no saying goodbye to anyone, and making a split decision to die then and there, no one, and I mean absolutely NO ONE can sit here and tell me you know exactly how you would react in that scenario. If you argue otherwise, you are ignorant or a liar.

For that reason alone, I can't call this man a coward. I can tell you all with 100% honestly that I would give my life to save those kids and mean it with all of my heart, but when shots are fired and adrenaline kicks in, your body and instincts take over, and it can very much dominate your best intentions or what you believed you would do and how you would react.

It's very easy to be an onlooker passing judgement.

Ugh...

This overunderstanding apologist attitude (that is so common these days), makes me want to vomit. The ridiculous logic, that you can't criticize anyone or anything, if you aren't 110% sure, that you can do better. With this logic - most of the time, no one could say anything about anything... no matter how f****** up it was. Because: You ain't any better, horses*** excuse.

You don't need to know, if you would be braver than him personally in that situation, to say whether he is a coward or not. And yes... he clearly is. A disgrace. He was too cowardly to do what he was supposed to do in a moment, when it was more important than ever. He should be jailed in my opinion. For the rest of his days, I might add.

Perhaps, I wouldn't be any better. I don't know. But if I turned out to be as cowardly as he was. I should be labeled as coward too, along with everything aforementioned. It's as simple as that.

Objectively yes, he is a coward.
---

thelovefist posted...

Objectively yes, he is a coward.

There is no such thing as objective cowardice
---

Yes he is a coward. His actions were the very definition. He had a job to protect children, he had the means to fight back, and when the time came he proved craven. He thought first of saving his own hide. He is a pathetic, disgusting, honor-less excuse for a man and whether you bunch of pussies would have done the same is irrelevant to the question at hand.

Our whole society has turned into a bunch of cowards, in no small part to this overly feminist culture and this attack on masculinity that has gone on. I dont know how he will sleep with himself. Maybe I talk a lot of shit, but i know that when i got robbed and a guy put a gun to my head and said give me the chain my mom bought for me i responded with "fuck you", it may have been dumb, but he didn't pull the trigger and it gives me comfort to this day that i have faced death before and i didnt blink. A man has to value something more then just survival and while you can argue pride or a gold chain isnt that it certainly is a school full of defenseless children.
---

Why is he not charged with criminal negligence? Seriously?
---

deupd_u posted...

Why is he not charged with criminal negligence? Seriously?

aren't law enforcement immune to something like that? I mean required to protect civilians?

For an ordinary person, no. Perfectly natural. Self-preservation and all that. Very natural to hide, run away, etc.

But he's not an ordinary person. He's a cop. He literally signed up for this job knowing he'd have to act in crises like that. And he ****ed it up.

Bury him.
---

Omega Hunter posted...

Yes he is a coward. His actions were the very definition. He had a job to protect children, he had the means to fight back, and when the time came he proved craven. He thought first of saving his own hide. He is a pathetic, disgusting, honor-less excuse for a man and whether you bunch of pussies would have done the same is irrelevant to the question at hand.

Our whole society has turned into a bunch of cowards, in no small part to this overly feminist culture and this attack on masculinity that has gone on.

lmao, wha?

are you saying dude didn't defend the kids because he's got feminine tendencies? how's risking your life to save others related to masculinity?
---

What he did goes against every ounce of active shooter training and tactics in law enforcement since Columbine.

He's a coward.
---

Omega Hunter posted...

Yes he is a coward. His actions were the very definition. He had a job to protect children, he had the means to fight back, and when the time came he proved craven. He thought first of saving his own hide. He is a pathetic, disgusting, honor-less excuse for a man and whether you bunch of pussies would have done the same is irrelevant to the question at hand.

Our whole society has turned into a bunch of cowards, in no small part to this overly feminist culture and this attack on masculinity that has gone on. I dont know how he will sleep with himself. Maybe I talk a lot of shit, but i know that when i got robbed and a guy put a gun to my head and said give me the chain my mom bought for me i responded with "fuck you", it may have been dumb, but he didn't pull the trigger and it gives me comfort to this day that i have faced death before and i didnt blink. A man has to value something more then just survival and while you can argue pride or a gold chain isnt that it certainly is a school full of defenseless children.

i get the point ur trying to make but you really think ur mom would be alright with you dying

over her chain? >_>
---

deupd_u posted...

Why is he not charged with criminal negligence? Seriously?

Because he didn't commit an negligent act
---

Whether he's a coward or not is irrelevant to me. He failed at his job. It's what he signed up for and he chose to shirk the responsibilities that he accepted. The consequences of that are potentially pretty huge. Regardless of what you think of his cowardice, he failed those kids and in the end that's all that matters.
---

Waiting for backup when there's a AR15 involved may appear on the surface to be the wise approach, but he was the only chance some of the people had to keep from getting shot. Wisdom would get this guy in the building to seek out a confrontation. I don't go as far as too call him a coward, but the wisdom was really lacking.
---

RickyTheBAWSE posted...

are you saying dude didn't defend the kids because he's got feminine tendencies? how's risking your life to save others related to masculinity?

Some people believe its related to that...

solosnake posted...

Aeriis posted...

I really cant blame him. Going in alone with a handgun? I wouldnt go inside either. Not without good equipment or other policemen.

well, no offense but youre a girl i mean that makes sense

---