Should law enforce be allowed to brandish a firearm in order to command compliance from an unarmed and non-aggressive "suspect"?

Any law which does not have a clear and immediate victim attacks freedom. Those who enforce any such law similarly attack freedom. I do not consent to having my freedom attacked.

Unless the objective is to escalate, which it should never be. There is no reason to go to guns, in a nonthreatening situation.

I'm going with a simple "no", that's what non-lethal force is for. "Don't taze me bro!" looks pretty good compared with, "don't shoot me to make a point".

Officers of the Sherborn (MA) Police Department, during a tazer training session.

Law Enforcement Officers are entrusted with a great responsibility, We either trust that they can do the job or slip into Anarchy. A few bad apples should not ruin the barrel. How did we as a Nation get to this point?

The policy of police officers drawing weapons on "suspects" needs serious discussion and work to begin to address our nation's current situation. It should be a no-brainer that in our current culture the police can only harm thier standing in the public trust by drawing weapons on anyone unless there is a clear and present danger. Consider for a moment that an alternate word to describe any "suspect" would generally also be "Citizen". In our country that means that there is a 2nd amendment right for any citizen to own and posses a firearm. The mere presence of a weapon in these situations does not and should not be construed to be "reasonable doubt" of any possible harm. The policy of doing so has only escalated situations and resulted in unjustified shootings. The police need to reserve putting a weapon in thier hands for clearly offensive operations such as high risk raids, drug busts, or situations where a clear and present danger exists; such as reaching for a weapon. This isn't unreasonable. This is good policy. Police aren't innocent bystanders. They are trained professionals. It should be a given that we expect them to act as such. It is never ok for us as citizens to condone the actions of any officer to commit the crimes of brandishing or assault with a deadly weapon against other citizens. The same common sense rules for drawing your personal firearm need to be applied. This may make some officers feel exposed and threatened now that they cannot be above the law. In the bigger picture this kind of reform can and hopefully will take place just as we have worked to institute rights for minorities and women. Some will resist, others will adapt, and a whole new generation of law enforcement officers will grow up understanding that respect for thier communities and it's citizens is paramount to earning and keeping the public trust. Ultimately insisting on this kind of reform will not only save the lives of citizens but also for law enforcement as well.
For those that feel my view is too harsh, understand that I come from a family of law enforcement and served four tours of combat where I learned that winning hearts and minds is every bit as important in the big picture. Being a "Bully" only costs lives. Even if it is authorized. The expression I was taught in the Army was that"Any monkey can point a gun or pull a trigger. It takes a professional and some experience to learn when not to." As a retired member of our armed forces I insist that our boys in blue are just that.... Professional.

I personally think we should move to the much more rational German Police model. District Training Acadamies instead of individual. Standardized uniforms, instead of everyone different, Standardized training as a base, Regional SWAT Teams instead of everyone trying to have their own. Wide and shared access to expensive equipment like Helos and Drones, instead of everyone trying to buy their own. Much more improved, centralized and standardized riot handling equipment beyond what is out there now. Just seems to me we are wasting gobs and gobs of taxpayer money on the current way we run our Police Departments. We need more bang for the buck and the money has to be much more efficiently spent.

Also in regards to the case of the recent riot in Milwaukee, 200 angry protestors should not be enough to overwhealm an entire city Police force even if it is 2nd or 3rd shift. There should be an ability to call in off duty policemen or borrow from neighboring communities with a much faster response and they should all be familiar enough with each others procedures that it should not matter which cop is in charge. Geez a City of close to half a million people, can't handle 200 people? What other country does that happen in?

i wonder about the lack of training some of these Officers have, We were taught unless there is an indication of a deadly threat to You life or another person life keep the gun in Your holster. pointing guns at people that never posed a threat is wrong ! The weapon should never be drawn unless You have an indication that threat to life exist and You intend to use the weapon. If it turns out ok or the threat You though wasn't actually present place the firearm back in Your holster. its ok to explain what happened to the other person, if they don't like it don't get into an argument those usually don't end well. I'd rather look foolish on a scene in front of a few people instead of in a courtroom in front of many.

I have always obeyed the commands of Law Enforcement. I have always talked to them as they approach my vehicle or me. " what's up doc", that actually got me out of a ticket because his nick name was DOC. I have had my Weapon with me and holstered on a couple of stops. I handed him my CHL, OL and insurance. We talked a couple of minutes, with my hands on top of the wheel. After asking his initial questions, he looked down and seen the CHL. He then got a little uneasy. he asked me where it was. I told him my right hip and that was why both my hands where on top of my steering wheel. He asked if I was prior service. (I got stickers all over my truck) I said yes MP and Infantry. He relaxed, told me to slow down, as I was 51 in a 45 and in a school zone. Handed me everything back , thanked me for my service and we left.
I understand that I was to tell him that I was carrying, but in the state of Texas they know when they make the stop, that I have a CHL. As I was answering the officers questions didn't I get a chance to throw it out, till he asked. But we were both polite the whole time I.

IMHO do what you are asked, deescalate the situation. ABOVE all else DO WHAT YOU ARE TOLD. same way as when your parents told you. Oh, wait you might have to respect the authority first, sorry!

But in this instance I think the officer was wrong.

To all Police Officers. What is the best procedure to follow if you are pulled over , have a concealed carry permit and you are armed ?????????????.