The recent shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis has reignited discussions surrounding law enforcement tactics and use-of-force policies. Good was shot while sitting in her vehicle, leading to conflicting narratives from federal and local officials regarding the justification of the incident.
The shooting has drawn criticism from local leaders, who condemned the act, while officials from the Trump administration defended it as warranted. This incident is poised to renew scrutiny on ICE’s operational guidelines, particularly concerning shooting at moving vehicles. Many police departments across the United States have shifted towards policies that prohibit such actions, a change that has shown promise in reducing fatalities during confrontations.
The New York City Police Department, for instance, established a prohibition on shooting at moving vehicles decades ago. This policy resulted in a significant decrease in police-related deaths, without compromising officer safety. Despite this evidence, not all law enforcement agencies have adopted similar restrictions.
Concerns surrounding the use of deadly force are prevalent, as many policies emphasize a commitment to preserving human life. A consensus exists within law enforcement circles that policing should prioritize the protection of life, a principle reflected in numerous use-of-force policies. Yet, incidents like the one in Minneapolis highlight the ongoing challenges in aligning practice with policy.
ICE’s current policy states that officers may not “discharge firearms at the operator of a moving vehicle” unless it is necessary to halt a serious threat. The policy explicitly mentions that deadly force should not be employed solely to prevent a suspect’s escape. Video footage from the incident shows one officer attempting to open Good’s car door while another positioned himself in front of the vehicle as she attempted to drive away.
The shooting raises questions about whether the actions taken by the officers adhered to ICE’s guidelines. The lack of explicit instructions within ICE’s policy for officers to move out of the way of oncoming vehicles is particularly concerning. In contrast, the Department of Justice explicitly advises officers to avoid shooting at vehicles if they can step aside safely.
In March 2022, President Joe Biden signed an executive order mandating that federal law enforcement agencies, including ICE, adopt use-of-force policies that meet or exceed those set by the Department of Justice. Despite this directive, ICE’s policy still lacks a clear provision for officers to remove themselves from the path of moving vehicles.
Deadly force can be justified in critical situations, such as when facing an active shooter. However, it is generally considered unnecessary when alternative, less harmful methods are available to manage a threat. The fundamental concern with shooting at moving vehicles is that it often fails to address the actual threat effectively.
When officers choose to shoot at a vehicle, the outcome can be unpredictable; the vehicle may continue on its course regardless of the shot fired. This not only endangers the lives of suspects but also increases the risk to the officers involved.
Recent analyses indicate that approximately three-quarters of the largest police departments in the United States have enacted policies that prohibit shooting at moving vehicles. This trend reflects a broader movement toward prioritizing life in law enforcement practices.
The tragic event in Minneapolis underscores a persistent gap between established policies and best practices aimed at protecting life. History suggests that implementing clear prohibitions on questionable tactics can save lives and enhance accountability for officers. The “fleeing felon rule,” which once allowed police to shoot at fleeing suspects, was deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1985 when the suspect posed no immediate danger. Revisions to this rule have resulted in fewer police shootings.
The ongoing discourse surrounding the use of force in law enforcement emphasizes the need for agencies, including ICE, to adopt policies that align with best practices for protecting human life. As the investigation into the Minneapolis shooting unfolds, the implications for law enforcement training and accountability remain significant.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article for further insight into the context and implications of this incident.
