The police officer shooting death of a Utica teen is making news beyond New York state.
Utica police last Friday stopped two juveniles after 10 p.m. while conducting an investigation. Officers said one of the kids ran and displayed a handgun. Police fatally shot the boy, identified as 13-year-old Nyah Mway.
The gun turned out to be a pellet gun that only looked like a Glock.
A public safety advocate said the use of deadly force wears on police officers, as well members of the public, who have expressed outrage over the loss of life.
What You Need To Know
- A policing advocate said the use of deadly force wears on police officers as well
- A former police officer said fast but necessary decisions in dangerous situations can impact the rest of an officer’s life
- Investigations are underway into if the responding officers in Utica last week acted appropriately, and if the shooting was justified
“Dealing with a shooting and dealing with your decision and how it all turned out creates so much conflict in the officer's life. And that just will wear the individual down if appropriate measures aren't taken to help them deal with their psychological stress," said John Cooney, a retired police officer who now tries to help others recover from traumatic situations on the force.
He said his experience gives him personal insight into how fast but necessary decisions in dangerous situations can impact the rest of an officer’s life.
“Officers need an immediate psychological and if appropriate, psychiatric treatment, to deal with the trauma that they've just dealt to the community. But more importantly, the trauma that they've dealt to themselves," Cooney said.
Cooney believes the officer in this case was following his training.
“Police officers are our protectors. They are our guardians. And if conditions exist which may create the need for deadly force, they exist and they have to be dealt with," said Cooney.
Cooney hopes the community will try to understand that everyone is suffering a loss in such situations.
Investigations are underway into if the responding officers in Utica last week acted appropriately, and if the shooting was justified.
