A Case of Mistaken Identity

[Bro.David Drake DeLaurento]

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1223718--officers-cleared-after-man-arrested-during-altercation-at-his-house

The province’s Special Investigations Unit has exonerated two Toronto police officers in connection with the forceful arrest of a North York man who mistook two plain clothes officers at his doorstep last March for drug dealers or Jehovah’s Witnesses.

On March 24, two undercover officers arrived at a home on Flax Garden Way, near Jane St. and Steeles Ave., to speak to a witness of a crime.

James Ross Kennedy, 26, who was not the witness, came to the door and thought the pair were Jehovah’s Witnesses or drug dealers. He became aggravated and pulled an officer’s hooded sweater over his head. The officers then brought Kennedy to the ground and arrested him. Kennedy suffered a concussion and corneal abrasion.

The incident led to an investigation by the SIU, which said on Monday that its investigators concluded that force had been necessary in the arrest because Kennedy initially assaulted an officer. It said neither officer should face criminal charges.

Questions below are not a part of the article.

What would you do if a homeowner assaults you at the door during service?

Would you defend yourself?

Would you retreat?

In my territory homeowners have displayed knives, guns, pitchforks and even dogs.

[JSellenger]

I havent been "threatened" with guns, but I have had guns displayed while in service. Sometimes behind the door, sometimes in plain sight. As long as its not pointed at me, guns don't bother me at all, I hunt, and have been around them all my life. As to the if I were threatened or assaulted how would I respond? tough to say as all situations are different. I'm a pretty likeable guy I think, so I am good at diffusing situations, so I think I could get it calmed down.

If the worst did happen, I would defend myself, but do my utmost to not cause physical harm. I know how to handle myself, but I'm not a fighter and would mostly try to block and get the guy to the ground or get away.

/edit I don't threaten people with dogs, but if anyone comes on my property they will quickly have two large dogs greet them. I have invisible fence and a dog door. Dogs are usually friendly unless they thought we were in danger, but they are also jumpy and muddy a lot, so I don't know if a bite is worse than the muddy clothes! They have never bitten anyone, but have chased off a few salesmen! My UPS guy brings dog treats so my dogs love him! Sometimes I carry dog treats in service and most dogs act like your best friend if you toss them a treat!

[Bethany Jones]

good idea about the dog treats - i must remember that one

in new zealand - well especially in our territory in P.Nth i havent heard many storys of people being assaulted on doors - sometimes people will threaten to let there dogs out , but that about all.

i am a pretty peaceable person and would just try to leave - thank householder for their time etc...

i do wonder sometimes when walking down a long drive/ back section how save we would be if something happend ... i suppose thats why we are reminded to be careful and not put ourselfs in potentially harmful situations. again though dont know how i would react in that situations .... just hope i dont have too xox

[barbara10]

I'm not sure what I would do if a gun or knife were pointed at me except PRAY and back away! However, in my territory many people have signs posted that they have dogs - in that case, we do not approach the property but would write a letter to them. For the most part, people will nicely refuse, and those that are somewhat rude even tell us to be careful in the heat!

[Micah]

Honestly, I don't think giving another person's dog a treat is a good idea. If some stranger came on my property and gave my dog a treat, I would think they were trying to poison her. Always keep a book bag with you, you can put that between yourself and the dog. Me personally, I have steel toed boots for a reason.

[JSellenger]

Honestly, I don't think giving another person's dog a treat is a good idea. If some stranger came on my property and gave my dog a treat, I would think they were trying to poison her. Always keep a book bag with you, you can put that between yourself and the dog. Me personally, I have steel toed boots for a reason.

I would rather someone give my dog a treat then hit them with a bookbag or steel toed shoes. If i saw someone kick my dog, im not even gonna say what I would do.

[Willow]

Me personally' date=' I have steel toed boots for a reason. [/quote']

I can just see us sisters getting away with that one... (we'd all look like Granny from the "Beverly Hillbillies"!)