Opinion: Don’t want to get shot? Obey the police.

To the editor: A letter writer asked what he was missing in this continuing controversy about police officers shooting suspects when no gun is seen. What he is missing is the reality of reaction time.

It is well known by police that a suspect can present a gun and get off a shot before the officer can see a gun, perceive the threat and fire his weapon. Many critics of police shootings don’t seem to realize that — and what they demand of police will certainly result in an officer being shot before he can react to the presence of a gun.

The solution is really simple: When an officer issues a command, comply with it.

David H. Dolson, Valencia

The writer is a retired Los Angeles Police Department captain.

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