LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) – We showed Greg Gitschier the body camera video released by Louisville Metro Police of the deadly LMPD shooting of a man in PRP Sunday night.
The two officers who shot and killed Russell Bowman were recording their exchange with Bowman, telling him to drop what they say was a screwdriver in his hand.
Gitschier, who is a Secret Service firearms instructor, says officers are trained to first use what he calls less lethal actions. In this case, tasers, which three officers did, but to no avail.
"As the force escalates, the officer has to match and do one step above to keep himself from getting hurt," Gitschier said.
LMPD's use of force procedures states, "…force may not be resorted to unless other reasonable alternatives have been exhausted or would reasonably be ineffective."
"It certainly appeared like they weren't left with any other options," Gitschier told WHAS11.
Since a screwdriver was involved, public reaction has been mixed. As with recent police shootings, people have asked, why couldn't the police shoot Bowman in the leg, or just wound him?
Gitschier says officers are trained to eliminate the threat to avoid any other injuries. "If you have to make that God-awful decision to use lethal force, then we are always taught to shoot to kill. Always," he explained.
LMPD's Public Integrity Unit is also investigating a shooting from late March in eastern Jefferson County. Police say Elijah Eubanks fired at an officer after he ignored several commands to get out of a vehicle. They returned fire, injuring him.
Gitschier says officers often have to make split-second decisions and many hope to never encounter a situation where they pull the trigger.
"I don't know anyone that would want to do that honestly, because you've got to live with yourself," Gitschier said.
If you would like to read LMPD's standard operating procedures, including the use of force, click here. http://www.louisville-police.org/35/LMPD-Transparency/
Contact reporter Robert Bradfield at rbradfield@whas11.com. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.
►Contact reporter Robert Bradfield at rbradfield@whas11.com. Follow him on Twitter (@RobertBreports) and Facebook.