Quoted: Wow, it sounds like he also needs to pass the bar in whatever state he works just to keep himself out of trouble!
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That's the beauty of the LE sniper's role. The LE is rarely actually responsible for taking the shot per se. He or she doesn't have to make the decision.
The LE sniper is almost always on the radio net with higher command reporting exactly what he or she sees through the scope. Likewise the spotter. The spotter is observing through a spotting scope and reporting back to the commander on scene.
The commander on scene needs to get provisional orders from their commander allowing them to use pre-emptive force/snipers in the situation then begins watching the situation seeking resolution. If the situation degrades to the point that it looks like the shot must be taken, the on scene commander, based on what the sniper, spotter and other on scene intelligence and surveillance is telling them will give the order to take the shot. The sniper himself is only responsible for passing on the intel and making certain that the shot goes where it is supposed to.
It is also important to note that the only spot on the human anatomy guaranteed to instantly incapacitate a human being to the point that they CANNOT squeeze a trigger is the brain stem (where the spinal cord comes out of the base of the skull.) That target is extrapolated rather than directly observed, and is only about the size of a walnut. It's a 2 MOA target TOPS and you can only extrapolate it's position based on a knowledge of anatomy. a near miss is probably enough to do the job from bone fragmentation etc., but not certain. Taking that shot at 80 meters, likely with intervening glass, and a target that may be partially obscured/screened or moving, is nothing to sneeze at. Also be aware that while the shot is fairly easy to accomplish against an unmoving face forward target, if the target is standing at an angle to the shooter it becomes more compex.
Now add in city winds rushing down the streets in odd gusts, plus weird up and downdrafts from strange building configurations, etc. Then consider different angles of attack, etc. It's pretty complex really. About the one thing that works in your advantage is the fact that your elevation and windage adjustments are going to be minor thanks to the short range.
No thanks, not a mission I'd want. Frankly the military sniper, while he is shooting at longer ranges, may actually have an easier tactical situation since a hit is a hit. If the guy gets up or doesn't drop instantly it's usually not that big a deal. The military sniper also has greater discretion, at least in a war zone, to take the shots he feels are necessary. The LE sniper has nearly zero margin for error, very challenging shooting conditions, and suffers from a complex decision making process, that while it frees him from making the decision, may leave him without a shot once the word gets back at him to take the shot. Yuck.