I don’t suspect the policy of any police force was to kill Dorner by lighting the building on fire. However, cops there (maybe of multiple jurisdictions) probably called for the ‘burner’ hoping it would flush him out and, if it burnt him to a crisp, oh well. Not making excuses despite the training and professionalism, I’m sure they were jacked up and hoping to put an end to the whole deal.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with questioning and criticizing the deployment of ‘burners’ or asking if it really is a policy, and if so, changing it. With no hostages, it’s reasonable to question a waiting posture as the cabin was surrounded. In that case, time was on the side of the cops.

There is no question the dude is deranged and was a major threat. But we have due process. Whether we want it or not, we have it.