Quote:
Originally posted by DavidI
"The detectives followed him to a nearby strip mall before moving in for a closer look to confirm his identity, said Long Beach Police Lt. David D. Cannan.
Long Beach detectives called in Santa Ana police SWAT officers.
Within moments, three uniformed officers arrived in an unmarked car.
As they approached Gallegos, he allegedly opened fire — beginning a wild gun battle in which more than 40 shots were exchanged in under a minute, police said."
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From an AAR perspective, this is the only part that gives me any pause at all, and we'd need to see more details on how that part played out. If possible it would've probably been wise to let the guy leave the mall and try to take him down from all sides as he entered his car in the parking lot, but lacking more pertinent details it's impossible to say if that part was a mistake or a prudent action.
One thing i would say is that in their place i would've definitely preferred to have waited for more than three SWAT troops to show up to move- if at all possible.
Going with only three operators really reduces your tactical options and your ability to rapidly envelop and overpower the opposition. Circumstances may have dictated that waiting was not possible, but on the surface(based solely on this report) it appears to be a tactical blunder. I will reserve judgement until more facts are in, but i am inclined to extend the cops the benefit of the doubt in this particular case at this time.
And again, i recognize a limited need for SWAT teams, as this case is the sort of thing we should have them for, not for making pot busts, or for going in on the sole testimony of a known junkie, etc, etc.
I see nothing unreasonable at all about my position.