Families of Crandon Victims Speak Out

The families of the Crandon shooting victims want change and they want answers.

CRANDON, Wis. -- Relatives of six people killed by a young off-duty sheriff's deputy who then apparently killed himself called Sunday for required psychological screening, full training and a minimum age of at least 21 for anyone hired as an officer.

About 20 family members and friends sat at a table behind pictures of those who were gunned down early Oct. 7 by 20-year-old Tyler Peterson after he showed up at their house party and tried to make up with an ex-girlfriend but was told to leave.

The parents of 20-year-old victim Aaron Smith said in a statement read on their behalf that Peterson was too "young, immature and obviously psychologically challenged" to be a law enforcement officer.

Peterson, who also was a part-time Crandon police officer, never underwent psychological testing to work in law enforcement. Anyone 18 or older can become a police officer in Wisconsin, and the state doesn't require mental evaluations. He also had an assault-type weapon as a SWAT team member.

The victims' families advocated changing the law to require written and oral psychological testing before anyone can be hired as police officer.

They also said that prospective officers should be at least 21 and possibly 23 before going on the job, and that no officer should be hired until completing full training and schooling.

They also want continued evaluation of officers, suggesting that they undergo mental-health screening once every six months.

As for SWAT team members, they said their weapons should be kept in a more secure place, with some accountability.

I agree with most of these suggestions, although I think a mental-health screening once every six months is a bit much.

...Three state lawmakers were at the meeting, and a state bill is in the works to take up issues the families raised.

...The meeting was monitored by attorney Ginger Murray, a former Crandon city attorney who said the families asked her to participate. She would not say whether the families planned any legal action.

"They are being made aware of their legal rights," she said.

I support psychological testing for officers.

However, even with such requirements in place, I think some troubled individuals could still manage to get through the screening process.

I don't think it can be assumed that the state could have prevented the deaths in Crandon.

The most level-headed, responsible person can snap. There aren't always warnings.

Certainly, it would be helpful for state lawmakers to pass a bill. The current process for becoming a law enforcement officer, no psychological testing, is inadequate.

Proper screening and monitoring would lessen the likelihood of someone like Tyler Peterson going on a shooting rampage, but it wouldn't eliminate it.

That's the painful, frightening reality.

If the families are considering legal action, I would think they would want to look into the way police handled Peterson during the hours after the shootings and before Peterson's death.

Of course, officials aren't talking. They aren't even allowing the victims' families access to the autopsy reports of their own children.

There needs to be some action, sooner rather than later. The families are living a nightmare.