Reflections on the Christopher Dorner affair

Many readers will recall the Christopher Dorner affair in February last year.  Briefly, the former policeman murdered four people and injured several others before being cornered in a mountain cabin and committing suicide after the cabin had been set alight.  (I wrote about it twice during that month, first reflecting on the incident as a whole and what it revealed about several aspects of our society, then reflecting on what it showed of the 'police mindset'.)

Last month the Los Angeles Times produced an excellent and very detailed essay titled 'The Manhunt for Christopher Dorner'.  It's by far the most in-depth account of the incident that I've seen to date.  I'm not going to post excerpts from it here, but I highly recommend to anyone who's interested in personal security, public safety, or self-defence that they click over there and read the whole thing.  There's a great deal to be learned about what to do - and what not to do - in response to such a threat.

My biggest concern remains the incredible ineptitude displayed by certain elements within the Los Angeles Police Department during the hunt for Christopher Dorner.  To fire upon innocent vehicles containing innocent civilians, twice, without provocation or excuse, is completely beyond the pale.  Why those responsible haven't been charged with criminal offenses is beyond me, and gives me cause to seriously doubt the professionalism and impartiality of the LAPD.  It continues to be a stain on that organization's reputation that may never be erased.

Peter