This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
I would like to offer an observation regarding the many recent fatal police shootings we have been reading about lately. Especially in light of the two most recent shootings described in the Tribune ("Police involved in two fatal shootings," Sept. 11).
Please observe and compare the contrasting methods and outcomes between our police and our Division of Natural Resources. Doesn't it seems odd that our natural resources officers from the Division of Wildlife Services can corner a wild mountain lion (surely a dangerous creature) that has inadvertently strayed into the populated portions of the Wasatch Front, tranquilize this animal and safely transport this dangerous wild animal to another location, all without injury to themselves or to the animal!
We have all seen and read about wild animals being relocated by the DWR. It is an almost routine occurrence. Then surely there must be another alternative, rather than death, available to police officers when confronted with a perceived dangerous human being.
Willis Layton
West Valley City