The decision to use bullets or communication?

No one can really know what is in the hearts and minds of others. No one can predict how they would react in a traumatic intense situation. Police officers sometimes have to make instant decisions.  However, as a retired police officer I can recall the important message from training instructors, 'the most powerful weapon you have as a police officer is your mouth'. The message was to use our ability to communicate with victims and offenders. If it takes two hours to talk an armed suspect into dropping his knife then that is what you do.  Deadly force was the last resort if the officer felt immediate grievous bodily harm to him/herself or others. The Tazer and pepper spray were part of the tools created to avoid the use of unnecessary deadly force. There may never be an easy answer for this tragic shooting. Each of us has an opinion based on our own experiences and perceptions. Perhaps lessons can be learned and with improved training,  avoid another police shooting death.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/noticeable-increase-in-police-presence-during-jury-deliberations-for-forcillo-murder-trial/article28331719/