Key Takeaways
• A federal officer shot and killed a mother in Minneapolis, prompting a fierce debate.
• Critics say current rules let officers fire at moving cars without clear safety steps.
• Many police agencies now ban shooting at moving vehicles and have cut deadly encounters.
• Experts urge clear laws and stronger policies to protect both public and officers.
Why Shooting at Moving Vehicles Sparks Debate
Minneapolis has once again become a flashpoint in debates over law enforcement violence. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother, as she sat in her car. Videos show officers close to her vehicle as it moved away. This shooting at moving vehicles incident has led to two rival stories. Federal leaders say the officer acted properly. City officials call the shooting unjustified.
In addition, this event has revived questions about officer training and policy on shooting at moving vehicles. Across the country, many departments have changed their rules to forbid these shots. They found that banning shooting at moving vehicles cuts deaths without raising risks for officers.
Decades ago, the New York City Police Department banned shooting at moving vehicles. After the rule took effect, police killings dropped. Officers did not feel more danger. Hence, this old change offers hope for today’s debate.
ICE Policy and Shooting at Moving Vehicles
ICE’s use-of-force policy bars officers from “discharging firearms at the operator of a moving vehicle” unless a grave threat exists. The agency also says you may not fire “solely to prevent the escape of a fleeing suspect.” In Minneapolis, video footage suggests officers shot while the car moved away. If the shot only stopped a fleeing driver, it broke the policy on shooting at moving vehicles.
However, ICE’s policy lacks a key safety step. It does not clearly tell officers to step aside when they face a moving car. In contrast, Justice Department rules say to move out of danger when possible. This rule on shooting at moving vehicles helps protect both suspect and officer.
In 2022, President Biden ordered all federal agencies to match or exceed the Justice Department rules. Yet the ICE policy did not add the clear direction to get out of the way of moving vehicles. This gap means ICE officers may face weaker guidelines than local police on shooting at moving vehicles.
Local Bans on Shooting at Moving Vehicles
Many city police forces now ban shooting at moving vehicles under most circumstances. A recent review of the hundred largest U.S. cities found nearly three-quarters of agencies bar such shots. These rules usually include a clear plan for officers to step aside from a moving car.
For example, after some states banned the old “fleeing felon rule,” police shootings fell. That rule once let officers shoot a suspect simply to stop a nonthreatening escape. A Supreme Court decision in 1985 declared that practice unconstitutional. Since then, many departments have strengthened their use-of-force policies, saving lives and improving accountability.
Closing Gaps to Protect Life
Debates over deadly force often spur strong arguments. Still, experts and many policies agree on one idea: policing must value human life and aim to protect it. Deadly force can be necessary when lives face a grave danger. Yet, if officers have safer options, they should choose them. Stepping away from a moving car is a less harmful tactic than opening fire.
When policies align with that principle, both suspects and officers stay safer. Physics shows that a bullet rarely stops a moving vehicle on impact. In most cases, the car keeps rolling and may strike the officer. Thus, rules against shooting at moving vehicles lower the risk for everyone.
This history shows that clear bans in law and policy can save lives. Stronger rules also help hold officers accountable when they breach the limits. Lawmakers and police leaders can bridge gaps by adopting best practices from both local and federal levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does shooting at moving vehicles mean?
This term refers to an officer firing a gun at a person driving or riding in a car that is in motion. Policies on this act vary by department and agency.
Why do experts oppose shooting at moving vehicles?
Experts say officers can often avoid harm by stepping aside from a moving car. Studies show bans on shooting at moving vehicles lower both suspect and officer injuries.
Are most police agencies banning shooting at moving vehicles?
Yes. Close to three-quarters of large U.S. city police departments now prohibit shooting at moving vehicles except in life-threat situations.
How does ICE’s policy differ from local rules on shooting at moving vehicles?
ICE bans firing at a moving vehicle unless a grave threat exists. Yet it lacks a clear order to step out of harm’s way. Many local agencies include that safety step.