After Katrina, New Orleans Cops Were Told They Could Shoot Looters

[Derechos]

In the chaotic days after Hurricane Katrina, an order circulated among New Orleans police authorizing officers to shoot looters, according to present and former members of the department.

It's not clear how broadly the order was communicated. Some officers who heard it say they refused to carry it out. Others say they understood it as a fundamental change in the standards on deadly force, which allow police to fire only to protect themselves or others from what appears to be an imminent physical threat.

The accounts of orders to "shoot looters," "take back the city," or "do what you have to do" are fragmentary. It remains unclear who originated them or whether they were heard by any of the officers involved in shooting 11 civilians in the days after Katrina. Thus far, no officers implicated in shootings have used the order as an explanation for their actions. Only one of the people shot by police – Henry Glover – was allegedly stealing goods at the time he was shot.

Still, current and former officers said the police orders – taken together with tough talk from top public officials broadcast over the airwaves -- contributed to an atmosphere of confusion about how much force could be used to combat looting.

http://www.propublica.org/nola/story/nopd-order-to-shoot-looters-hurricane-katrina

[RandomThoughts]

1. I would not stop a looter, not my style.

Been watching groups in many sectors do it for years.

Although some might stop them.

[Skittles]

4. how about this kind of looter

[RandomThoughts]

5. How would you suggest I stop him?

I don't have means to do that, so if looters are to be stopped it will be done elsewhere.

[slackmaster]

There's a huge difference between authorizing something and ordering it to be done

Obviously either would be illegal.

Article is clear as mud.

[AtomicKitten]

2. looters vs "finders" per the MSM

[notadmblnd]

3. They wanted to create a combat zone there

To eliminate as many of NO's poor as they possibly could. The only reason that the Superbowl wasn't allowed to burn to the ground was because the NO Fire Chief refused to leave. I'm sure there are thread in the archives on it.

[left is right]

6. I never understood the reaction about so-called looting

Nolo understood that power was going to be off for about a week; all perishables were going to be spoiled anyway. Anything that was underwater could not be sold after the dryout. And merchants were going to submit insurance claims and tax write-offs. They should have called it charity, taken the tax deduction and enhanced their public image and created post-Katrina customer loyalty