Hypothetical Moral Quandary

[Mr. Scot]

(based on one of the best story arcs from "Criminal Minds" that fans would recognize)

Let's say you're a law enforcement person chasing a vicious serial killer.

The killer contacts you and offers you a deal: He'll stop killing if you completely stop chasing him.

Do you take that deal or tell him to go @$%# himself?

[Johnny Rockets]

You lost me at moral.

[Hawk]

he's already killed? hell no...it's your job to track him down

[Johnny Rockets]

Not a chance that you can stop chasing him. He has to be brought to justice for the killings he already did and I seriously doubt a serial killer can just shut that urge off.

[Mr. Scot]

On the show, the killer actually did stop.

In real life, I'd have some major doubts about taking the word of a guy for whom lying isn't exactly a major stretch.

At the heart of the question is this issue: Is law enforcement's primary job to catch criminals or to protect the public?

[Hawk]

yes!

I see your point that your decision may cause more deaths...but at the end of the day, you need to protect the public by catching the criminals.

[Happy Panther]

On the show, the killer actually did stop.

In real life, I'd have some major doubts about taking the word of a guy for whom lying isn't exactly a major stretch.

At the heart of the question is this issue: Is law enforcement's primary job to catch criminals or to protect the public?

Yeah most police aren't going to believe the guy. But if there were some way to be very sure that he would stop killing, you may have a duty to lay back.

[Hawk]

doubt very much that victims of his initial crimes would like that thought but I get what you are saying.

I'll stick with the thought that there's no way they believe/trust him and go after him.

[Ja Rhule]

When a killer pleads it means 2 things. 1) killer is tired of running and 2) u r very close to catching him.

[Johnny Rockets]

doubt very much that victims of his initial crimes would like that thought but I get what you are saying.

I'll stick with the thought that there's no way they believe/trust him and go after him.

Agreed...maybe on TV serial killers can stop but in real life there is no way they could.

I've tried many times.

[Mr. Scot]

doubt very much that victims of his initial crimes would like that thought but I get what you are saying.

I'll stick with the thought that there's no way they believe/trust him and go after him.

But then what do you say to the families of his future victims when he tells them "I offered a deal"?

[Ja Rhule]

U tell families that we cannot trust serial killer. We were very close to catching him and believe he lied just so he can buy sometime. He would kill either way.

[Mr. Scot]

My opinion: If a killer made the offer, it would be for one of a few purposes.

1) To make the Police/FBI look bad, which they would if he told the media they refused (and I think they'd have to)

2) To make said law enforcement look bad by telling the media they didn't stop him, he stopped himself

3) To take the heat off, after which he'd just change his MO and start killing again as if he were a different killer

It's kind of a no-win, honestly.

[Panthro]

Can I say yes but then keep looking?