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.

 

Yeah. What I meant by that is myself being in danger too.

I would, and I want to become a cop. But some people just won't because they don't want to get involved.

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.

Be careful with that statement, good Samaritan laws will only protect you so far.  

 

Example, If you roll up on an auto accident and pull someone out of the car and break their back your not protected.

 

Now if you roll up on an auto accident and the car was on fire and you pulled someone from the car and their back broke then you would be covered since it was likely that the person would result in further injury or death.

 

Below is a link giving a general description on good Samaritan laws but its important to remember that each state views this differently so if you travel a lot don't expect the same rules to apply in another state.  As Unr3al stated above its important to know your limitations and know the situation prior to engaging yourself.  Finally if you are trained in first aid, CPR etc only perform action to the level of your training, do not attempt to perform Advanced Life Support (ALS) if you haven't been trained to that level because the laws wont protect you.

 

http://www.aaos.org/news/aaosnow/jan14/managing3.asp

you would be covered since it was likely that the person would result in further injury or death.

I agree with your post, but I think the only reason most of us would help out is due to someone posing mortal danger to the officer. In any case, I don't think helping to tackle someone running away from a cop will get you thrown in court either, good samaritan law or not. Every time I've seen someone provide help, I've always seen the officer say "Thank you, I want to get your name(s)."

I think most people would think they'd stop and help, but when you're faced with that situation some people (if not most) will freeze and not be able to do anything. That's human nature. A lot of things goes on everyday (like harrasement) within hearing-range of other people, but nothing is done to stop it. Surprised? Not me. 

I think most people would think they'd stop and help, but when you're faced with that situation some people (if not most) will freeze and not be able to do anything. That's human nature. A lot of things goes on everyday (like harrasement) within hearing-range of other people, but nothing is done to stop it. Surprised? Not me. 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

That.

 

I think most people would think they'd stop and help, but when you're faced with that situation some people (if not most) will freeze and not be able to do anything. That's human nature. A lot of things goes on everyday (like harrasement) within hearing-range of other people, but nothing is done to stop it. Surprised? Not me. 

 

Very true, many people forget that's why we drill emergency service personnel constantly because they will eventually even freeze from time to time.  I'm a volunteer firefighter in PA and I I'm willing to admit there were times that I froze not knowing what to do so like an idiot I just stood there until someone with the right knowledge comes along.  However on the flip side I would rather freeze and look dumb then attempt to jump into a situation that is really above my head. 

 

 

However back to the original topic, it again would depend on the situation.  For me there would have to be a clear danger to the officer and the officer would not be able to defend themselves.  Also there would be a clear opportunity for assisting without causing additional danger to anyone else.

 

Just remember the hero of the "Liberty City Bank Heist" lol

Just remember the hero of the "Liberty City Bank Heist" lol

Yep, we don't want to turn into Eugene Reaper. That kind of intervention will get you killed. 

If the officer looks like he needs help or asks for help then I would without hesitation. For those of you saying that you have a concealed carry permit I would be extremely cautious on how you use that around law enforcement. Officers do not know that you have a concealed carry permit and do not know who you are so if they see you running around with a gun you could very easily get shot, it has happened before and it happens even to officers who are off duty that are trying to assist other officers.

 

The most important thing to remember is to use extreme caution when trying to assist an officer. Keep in mind that as you are approaching they do not know who you are or what your intentions are. Also remember that law enforcement strongly discourages people from getting involved in situations that are extremely dangerous such as vehicle pursuits, armed robberies, etc. What Cbeck133 said is also very true, don't try to do something if you are unsure of what you are doing or not trained because that could end up causing more harm than good.

 

Just remember the hero of the "Liberty City Bank Heist" lol

That brings back memories!

Wow... So long since i've seen that.... Made my day haha

Back to topic...

It depends... If someone was armed, I Would let the officer handle it unless he was in direct danger, and there was a clear opportunity for me to interfere.

If he was in a hand-to-hand fight with the suspect and the suspect had the better of him.

I would bud in for sure.

But as inseri said... People freeze. I Saw some buddy from JROTC get punched in the face by some random kid, and sure i wanted to go kick his ass... But i didn't because i did not want to get in trouble.

Same goes for real situations... Is it worth getting in trouble, Or saving someones life.

I would especially if I'm off duty and some where else

I would especially if I'm off duty and some where else

 

Aren't troopers always on duty? I mean, you carry your gun and badge everywhere and you have state wide jurisdiction. (just wondering)

 

I actually had a situation after I left the job I was visting n.y. on vacation and I saw a friend of mine in a foot pursuit and I joined in and was able to catch the guy who knocked my friend to the ground and was on top of him and had a knife, I used my friends weapon and drew down on the guy and got him to submit

Edited October 5, 201411 yr by gatekeeper

I actually had a situation after I left the job I was visting n.y. on vacation and I saw a friend of mine in a foot pursuit and I joined in and was able to catch the guy who knocked my friend to the ground and was on top of him and had a knife, I used my friends weapon and drew down on the guy and got him to submit

How did you use your friend's weapon? You took a weapon from an on duty police officer and chased down an armed suspect? I would strongly advise you not to disarm any police officer when they are dealing with someone, even if the suspect is getting away.

I will always help if i see a cop in trouble

Edited October 6, 201411 yr by gamerdanger99

How did you use your friend's weapon? You took a weapon from an on duty police officer and chased down an armed suspect? I would strongly advise you not to disarm any police officer when they are dealing with someone, even if the suspect is getting away.

I told him first and the suspect was on top of him, he wasn't just a stranger he was a friend

Edited October 6, 201411 yr by gatekeeper

I told him first and the suspect was on top of him, he wasn't just a stranger he was a friend

Regardless of whether or not he was a friend a police officer should never give up his weapon, that is a HUGE officer safety violation and, at least in every agency I've seen, against GO and SOP. I know if I ever saw one of my buddies on the ground fighting with a suspect the last thing I would do is run up and tell them I'm going to take their weapon, not to mention I don't think any of them would let me disarm them.

Regardless of whether or not he was a friend a police officer should never give up his weapon, that is a HUGE officer safety violation and, at least in every agency I've seen, against GO and SOP. I know if I ever saw one of my buddies on the ground fighting with a suspect the last thing I would do is run up and tell them I'm going to take their weapon, not to mention I don't think any of them would let me disarm them.

Yeah in hindsight I admit it wasn't the smartest thing to do but it was the only thing I could think of at the moment cause I couldn't get the guy off my friend and he had his arms pinned

Edited October 6, 201411 yr by gatekeeper

Aren't troopers always on duty? I mean, you carry your gun and badge everywhere and you have state wide jurisdiction. (just wondering)

 

I don't say in this state. And technically we aren't always on duty.

Regardless of whether or not he was a friend a police officer should never give up his weapon, that is a HUGE officer safety violation and, at least in every agency I've seen, against GO and SOP. I know if I ever saw one of my buddies on the ground fighting with a suspect the last thing I would do is run up and tell them I'm going to take their weapon, not to mention I don't think any of them would let me disarm them.

In defense of gatekeeper, sometimes doing the right thing isn't doing the right thing.