How should the police respond under attack from armed criminals?

The police are permitted to employ reasonable force in combating crime and effecting the arrest of hostile suspects.

In recent months, the police have been criticised by many for returning fire for fire when attacked by suspected armed robbers shooting their way from arrest, resulting in the deaths of a good number of the suspects.

The criticisms have mainly centred on a seemingly “unvoiced” shoot-to-kill policy of the police, however, the police have rightly argued their right to defend their own lives.

But what can the police and indeed, other law enforcement agencies do faced with an immediate threat to their lives when criminal elements rain bullets at them? How else should they approach their work?

Share your thoughts.