[hso9791]

A single blow of a hammer to the head may cause a cracked skull and/or massive hemorrhaging. It could be instantly lethal, or cause death even after medical attention is given. Even with survival, there's a distinct risk of later disabilities - mental or motoric.

In this particular ambush, the only right thing is to shoot the assailant. If some cops could handle this situation without their firearm (and they were confident enough this wouldn't risk their partner's life or health), then that would surely be the exception rather than the rule.

[pjc50]

UK police seem to be quite capable of dealing with this kind of thing with the side-handled baton or occasional taser. Partly because they have extensive training in de-escalation.

[vidarh]

UK police also usually wouldn't respond with two officers for a situation like this.

There was an assault outside my house a few months back, and they sent 3 cars and 6-7 officers despite no indication weapons were involved.

People tend to respond very differently when thy face a group of officers spread out - turn towards one of them in a threatening manner and three others will be slamming you to the ground.

What struck me about the video in the article was how there were just two of them, and despite that one was getting in the suspects face. You don't get in the face of an expected dangerous assailant if you want to avoid violence.