Ask the officer Ask the officer (January 12, 2005)

Menlo Park police officer Glenn J. Raggio answers questions about the police and law enforcement. Call 330-6396, or e-mail: asktheofficer@menlopark.org.

Q. How often do you draw your weapon?

A. It's hard to gauge how often. It's better, I think, to explain some of the circumstances that might require that action. Weapons might be drawn in response to obvious or known dangerous circumstances or in suspicious circumstances that rise to what the officer thinks is a "threat level." For instance, we respond to residential alarms daily. If we find an open door or window, it is our responsibility to search the residence. These searches are often conducted with guns drawn and at the ready. Each room is "cleared" until the entire residence is deemed safe. High-risk traffic stops are another instance when weapons might be drawn. There really is no one specific rule that governs when an officer draws his or her weapon, save common sense. Officers are called upon to use their judgment when they sense danger and do not want to be disadvantaged by a holstered weapon.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.