JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters defended his department’s response to three officer-involved shootings this year, saying officers faced armed suspects in each incident and had to act in self-defense.
“Unfortunately, that’s had to happen the last three times,” Waters said in an interview with News4JAX. “But I’m glad the officers are going home safely and taking care of themselves, because, let’s face it, these are all young human beings that are doing a really tough job.”
Waters emphasized that while the number of shootings varies annually, officers are trained to de-escalate situations when possible, including through mental health and crisis-response programs. However, he noted these tactics have limitations when suspects actively threaten officers or the public…