The reason I ask this question, is because everyone I've asked so far said they would not interfere.

 

Here is an example of a situation where this question would come up: 

 

http://www.spike.com/video-clips/40c3km/cops-drugged-up-pedestrian-fights-officer-part-1

Edited October 4, 201411 yr by CriminalKillaz

Well I want to be cop when I'm older so I would definitely help the officer, unless the suspect has a gun. Never bring your fist to a gun fight...

I would certainly at least see what can be done there.

I can little prevent myself from stopping to help in nearly any situation car accidents, disabled people needing assistance, fires etc.(thank god I have only had to deal with very few of these bad situations)

I simply don't feel right ignoring it, so heck yeah, if an officer needed help while struggling with a suspect I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to lend my assistance and I would hope others would do the same (although its not a common nowadays). 

Why wouldn't you?

Before I even see the clip, is this the one with the black dude walking around the sidewalk who fought paramedics and is prancing around like he's leading a parade? Because if so I've seen it, and yes I would help. The only situation I might stay away from is if the suspect had a deadly weapon like a gun or a large knife, unless I happened to have a gun on me myself.

*VIDEO NOW WATCHED*

Yes, it is the clip I thought it was.

Yes, I would help without hesitation. I consider it a civic duty to help public servants if they need aid, and I consider it a basic human duty to help other people in need no matter if they are police officers or not.

 

I also have a concealed weapon license and regularly exercise that right, so I would not be afraid to step in with lethal force if the circumstances required and it was a lawful option for me.

Edited October 4, 201411 yr by johnclark1102

Before I even see the clip, is this the one with the black dude walking around the sidewalk who fought paramedics and is prancing around like he's leading a parade? Because if so I've seen it, and yes I would help. The only situation I might stay away from is if the suspect had a deadly weapon like a gun or a large knife, unless I happened to have a gun on me myself.

*VIDEO NOW WATCHED*

Yes, it is the clip I thought it was.

Clip? What clip?

Clip? What clip?

The one posted at the beginning of the thread.

From personal experience when on duty I have found that two things are true, number one if I am in a dangerous situation anyone who comes up to help would always be appreciated. The second thing would be a collary to that, being if a person comes to help and acts like a cowboy all he does is put us both in more danger. In my second job  (which is security) I have numerous times come across a cop in a bad situation and had no hesiation with stopping and helping him or her out, main thing in that situation is not overstepping my bounds.

Wouldn't it be considered vigilantism?

I would watch his ass get beat.

Wow. Its nice to see how high you regard another human being. 

I would personally help the officer, regardless of the circumstances. 

It depends on the circumstances for me. If the officer was down and unable to radio, you bet I'm gonna run to him and call for help on his radio. I was a cadet for a sheriff's office for a couple years and I've learned that in some cases, the officer will handle himself, however, there are times when the officer is being overpowered and needs help. I've seen plenty of dashcam footage of good samaritans come to aid the officer, and in that case yes. But if the officer doesn't appear to be in dire or desperate need of help, then I think it's best to leave him be.

I would watch his ass get beat.

And I would do the same for you. 

 

 

 

On topic:

I voted depends; as said earlier I would regard my safety first but if lethal weapons we're involved I would do my best to help(within boundaries)

And I would do the same for you. 

 

 

 

On topic:

I voted depends; as said earlier I would regard my safety first but if lethal weapons we're involved I would do my best to help(within boundaries)

LMAO!!!! Made my night, thank you.

It's highly circumstantial. If it's unambiguous that the officer needs help, and I can provide the assistance he needs, I will.

Hell yeah I would.

 

Only if the officer him/herself would tell me to get back I wouldn't.

HE GOT BANNED? LMAOOO I'M DONE. LOLOLOLOLLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL.

 

Edit: Now that I've recovered from having a laugh attack, I do agree with several points made earlier. If the officer was in distress and appeared as if s'he couldn't handle the situation, then I would interfere and assist the officer. But of course, the situation is entirely circumstantial.

Edited October 5, 201411 yr by CriminalKillaz

There are so many liability issues with actually interfering. That's why my local PD run an encrypted connection, so nobody that is untrained listens to the radio and decides to interfere with the officers. If the officer was almost dead, I'd run over to his radio and press his orange button (calls all the officers in the county lol) and just probably keep on walking. I'd hate to get involved and not be trained properly, do something wrong, and get in huge trouble.

There are so many liability issues with actually interfering. That's why my local PD run an encrypted connection, so nobody that is untrained listens to the radio and decides to interfere with the officers. If the officer was almost dead, I'd run over to his radio and press his orange button (calls all the officers in the county lol) and just probably keep on walking. I'd hate to get involved and not be trained properly, do something wrong, and get in huge trouble.

There are good samaritan laws in all 50 states to protect you from liability in scenarios like that. My only fear would be getting into something you visibly can't handle, like someone using a gun when you don't have one yourself to return fire. The best you can do in that situation is call 911 and report "an officer down, shots fired" then name your location.