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Anthony Albanese has praised a lone police officer who pursued a man on a stabbing spree through a shopping mall, saying ‘there is no doubt that she saved lives through her action’ (www.theguardian.com)

submitted 5 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

30 comments fedilink hide all child comments

The senior officer, Amy Scott, was conducting routine duties nearby when she was directed to head to Westfield shopping centre following reports a man was using a “massive” knife to stab shoppers.

Within minutes, the officer was inside the centre and began chasing the offender.

“This all happened very, very quickly,” the deputy commissioner of police, Tony Cooke, said.

“The officer was in the near vicinity, attended on her own, was guided to the location of the offender by people who were in the centre and she took the actions that she did, saving a range of people’s lives.”

Albanese thanked the officer, other police, first responders and the “everyday people” who reacted to help victims.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

A pity she wasn't carrying a taser. Why are guns standard issue but not tasers?

If the guy survived we might have discovered he has secretly killed others in the past.

We also might have discovered his motive but I dunno how useful that would be.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I believe in this case it wouldnt have made a difference. The officer would and should have chosen lethal force even if they had a taser. There is a greater chance of a failure with a taser vs a handgun and faced with a murderer with a machete? It would be foolish to take that chance.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

He had a machete? I suppose that can be thrown so I accept your point if true.

How accurately does a taser need to be pointed? Can it be easily held in the officer's weak hand while the gun is held in the dominant hand?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

according to google tasers have around a 40% failure rate. They are fairly close range and the prongs need to actually stick into the target to neutralise them. I believe officers are taught to use two hands for firing their gun so they most likely pick a taser or pistol not both.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago

Thanks for looking it up and summarising.