Ronnie Bray wrote on April 23, 2009 08:26 PM: It would appear that the current educational programme for academy recruits that end up as police officers on our streets is lacking in at least one essential element, namely, how to defuse an angry situation.

Angry people get even angrier when the target of their anger - in this case HPD officers - do not listen, and do not let the subject make their complaint in full.

When dealing with an angry person there are simple practices that work in the great majority of cases.

Rule 1 is:

'Do not make them angrier than they already are.'

Rule 2 is:

'Hear them out, let them finish what they have to say, no matter how long it takes.'

When that is effected, the angry subjects usually calms down, especially if the target of their anger appears to be listening and then adopts a non-threatening and conciliatory tone.

It is not rocket science [whatever that is], it is basic social psychology, and any law enforcement officer not trained in basic 'defusing' techniques is likely to stack up an astronomical number of similar shootings to this one during his thirty years on the police force.

This shooting is reprehensible and, given all the circumstances, even if one or more officers considered themselves in deadly danger from this diminutive person, however irate she was, and the only way they could effect a resolution is by gunning her down in front of her little children, then the Days of the Old West are not yet done.

Only this time the baddies are trigger-happy police offices exercising what Shakespeare called 'the insolence of office.'

Doubtless the inquest took place in the saloon of Judge Roy Bean with the dead victim on trial as the wrongdoer and the murderer set free to kill again.

Very bad show, constables!

Law & Order!

Mary wrote on May 07, 2008 01:13 PM: Someone needs to make that cop pay for what he did. The Inquest let him off scot free to kill again. He has shown NO remorse what so ever.

Henderson police has destroyed the communities trust. They cannot be trusted.

Citizens are advised to fight them any way you can. This was TERRORISM by definition and they must be helf accountable.

Jeff Grome wrote on April 24, 2008 12:29 PM: As a Civilian, I myself have been trained in lethal and non lethal forms of combat and believe that all law enforcement officers have been trained in most forms of hand to hand Combat, Martial Arts, and/or Ju Jitsu, I would hope most logical, Ethical and/or Moral people would agree that Law enforcement Officers would use such tactics before using Sticks or Tazer guns then last resort Lethal force to protect themselves as well as others.

The public has not clearly observed that Law Enforcement Department’s Nation wide, have adopted Military tactics as well as military type weapons. Law Enforcement Agency’s complained in the early 80’s of being out gunned in big shootouts that occurred in our nation’s cities, as well as 911, and now Agency’s across America have hired a large percentage military personal to fill Law Enforcement positions. The Public has not gotten the picture that the Military teaches personal to kill.

A Young Officer fresh out of college or the military with a badge, Glock and M16 who has been trained to kill and/or not been taught the values of a human’s life at such a young age does spell disaster. Now we have young, hardnosed, over aggressive, commando cops who have forgotten our ethics and morals, given lethal weapons and now to only protect and serve themselves and the city officials who back them. Please remember if you value your life, don’t speed in Henderson, NV.

Brent Jordan wrote on April 24, 2008 10:49 AM: Let’s face it. Any police officer who is so scared of a woman with a knife that he needs to shoot her should turn in his badge (and his man card). shameful. Pathetic. Embarrassing.

Raymond wrote on April 22, 2008 10:51 AM: This should not have happened, police in this shooting should not be called heros. I would say they were not trained for this type of problem. all I can say is hope the family gets a judgement to help up expences.

Robert L wrote on April 16, 2008 02:35 PM: After you have been tased, the prongs are still in you. You can be tased again with the push of a button. A knife (If there was one) is a close combat weapon. She could have easily been stopped by re-taseing her. There is more to this story than what is being told

I Wonder wrote on April 11, 2008 02:52 PM: I wonder how many years the Selimaj family and their business has been targeted, abused, harassed, and ticketed by the HPD. I'd love to see those records.

Foreigners with easy to spot ice cream trucks. I could see it being a game amongst them to screw with them.

I don't condone the Selimaj parents actions but I can understand their frustration with the HPD.

I just wish more cops used more tasers. One taser hitting her properly and the situation would've been over. I will never agree with shooting her.

smokedog wrote on April 11, 2008 02:31 PM: There is apparently some dispute among eyewitnesses to the shooting about whether Ms. Selimaj was armed with a knife. In a story in Friday's print edition of the RJ, another witness testified that the fact that Ms. Selimaj had a knife was, "unequivical."

I would imagine that like me, most of the you were not at the scene and have no idea beyond your own preconcieved notions about what happened. You are either all too ready to believe the police are always correct or are never correct when they shoot someone. Your prejudices are showing. How about something heretofore unmentioned, such as a fact!

comment wrote on April 11, 2008 02:25 PM: After watching the inquest and still watching it I do believe Deshira was irate, pissed off, and upset when she showed up.

Why do I believe that? Because I believe the HPD enjoyed harassing this couple and screwing with their business and livelihood. They have easily noticable vehicles and they were an easy target to see and harass and write tickets to. Who knows how many years that's been going on.

Initial stop was made by a Gilmore saying he visually saw Mr. Selimaj speeding. He never even stated he got him on radar. Yet they report his was going 39mph, 24mph over the limit. I'll never believe that. He may have seen him going a little fast, it's a couple they've screwed with before and he wanted to do it again.

I guess Mrs. Selimaj had just had enough of the abuse taken from the HPD.

I will never agree with shooting her even if she had a knife. More tasers or a nightstick should have been used.

I think they will get away with this but I in no way will ever agree with their tactics.

And if Henderson is so in need of cops and shorthanded why are there so many of them that work traffic duty? They should all be on patrol if they are short handed answering calls.

Lisa wrote on April 10, 2008 10:41 PM: I do not side with the lady. Cops do not shoot to injure they shoot to kill. So the next time a police office tells someone to put down their weapon, taze them, they get up then I would have shot her too. The other cops that stood by and did nothing are cowards. The shooter did what he had to. I pray people see that.

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