LAPD use of force explained as wife of Weezer bassist shot by police and faces charge for attempted murder
Here are the rules which police officers in Los Angeles are expected to follow after the wife of Weezer's bassist was shot by officers and booked on suspicion of attempted murder.
It was confirmed earlier today (10 April) that Jillian Shriner, wife of Weezer musician Scott Shriner, was shot non-fatally by the LAPD after she allegedly pointed her gun at officers and refused to put it down.
It followed a chase through the streets of Los Angeles for suspects involved in a three vehicle hit-and-run. Officers had begun to search the nearby Eagle Rock neighbourhood after one suspect fled the scene on foot when Shriner emerged from her home armed.
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The 51-year-old was not involved in the initial incident and is believed to have refused numerous requests to drop her handgun, police say.
A press release from the LAPD added that Shriner then pointed her weapon at officers, after which she was then shot.
Shriner then returned inside her house around 30 minutes before reemerging with a second woman, later identified as a family babysitter, and surrendered to police.
Authorities took both women into custody, where Shriner was treated for a gunshot wound to the shoulder, and later released.
She was later absentee booked for attempted murder.
What are the rules police officers are expected to follow regarding the use of firearms?
Shriner's shooting will raise questions around the extent of which police officers are allowed to use force or firearms when dealing with armed members of the public.
Regulations around the use of firearms will vary from state-to-state, however the US Department of Justice states that law enforcement officers may only use force when they have a 'reasonable belief' a person poses an immediate danger of death or serious injury to an officer or other person.
Meanwhile, a document outlining LAPD's use of force directives from 2022 says officers 'may use objectively reasonable force to carry out their duties' if de-escalation techniques don't work.
Officers are expected to only use force which is 'proportional to the seriousness of the suspected offence'. Examples of 'reasonable' non-deadly use of force include:
- Defend themselves
- Defend others
- Effect an arrest or detention
- Prevent escape
- Overcome resistance
Factors used to determine what is classified as a 'reasonable' use of force can be determined by the 'feasibility of using de-escalation tactics', the 'level of threat or resistance' by the person in question and whether or not the individual poses an injury risk to officers, themselves or other citizens.
LADbible previously contacted the LAPD and Weezer for further comment.
Brenna Cooper