Training helps law enforcement officers make split-second decisions

ALBANY — It happens every day across America — a law enforcement officer has a potentially dangerous face-to-face encounter with a citizen. It happened in Albany late Tuesday night.

According to a report from the Albany Police Department, “Cpl. Craig Billsby responded to 702 Cotton Ave. in reference to an unwanted guest. Upon his arrival, he exited his vehicle and identified himself. James Bradshaw and another individual were arguing in the back yard.

“Within approximately 15 feet, Bradshaw indicated he wanted his knife to cut Billsby. Bradshaw picked up a folding box cutter from the ground. Billsby retreated and drew his weapon, while giving verbal commands.

“Billsby pressed his emergency button and his commands could be heard over the radio. Bradshaw dropped the knife and refused to back away as instructed. He was then taken into custody by Billsby and another officer who arrived on the scene.”

The report further stated “as the two officers took Bradshaw into custody he resisted and struggled to avoid being handcuffed. Bradshaw was extremely intoxicated and was taken to jail.”

Bradshaw could have been shot, but instead Billsby relied on his training and no one was hurt.

“When you go to the academy you are trained to deal with police-citizen encounters,” APD Lt. Victor Camp said, after refusing to discuss specifics of the Corn Avenue incident. “Some of the encounters can be cordial, but then something might happen when a citizen pulls out a weapon. Police officers have to make that split second decision right then, right there.”

Officer safety comes first, “because we’d like to get off shift and go home and see our families too,” Camp said. “They are going to do what they need to do to protect themselves and the other people around them. It’s a judgment call” when to use deadly force.

“There is other training that these officers get,” Camp said. “Not only do they get it at the academy but they go to advanced training for situations like this. There is a lot that goes through the mind of an officer, especially when you are confronted by somebody who is armed. We want to defuse the situation the best way we can. We’re not out here just to shoot people like some people think.

“If we can resolve it without anybody getting hurt, that’s the way we want to do it all the time. Thirteen officers have been killed already this year. That’s a lot. When everybody walks away, that’s a good day.”