sniper rifles don’t just roll around with a gust of wind. Most weigh 12 to 15 pounds. Add a scope and bipod they don’t just roll around. Nice try, though.
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Wow, Officer loses rifle…
A gust of wind could have blown it off the roof if it was top heavy (On a tripod)
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YOU or I would have ended in jail… professionals in action.
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It looks like it had something bulky hanging from it. Which I would say is not a great idea on a windy day.
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That would be a stabilizing weight.
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Interesting that they are stating it was not caused by human error. I think it is an error to set up the tripod with such a narrow base on a windy day and an even greater error to walk so far away from the rifle leaving it unattended.
Would also call it a tactical error to have the rifle and the officer in such an upright and exposed position. It might be a little faster to respond to a threat on the ground but if the threat had a rifle and was in a building or another roof they would be able to take the officer out very easily.
Maybe they were just trying to present a visual deterrent as apposed to actually being there to respond to a potential event?
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Stuck out like a sore thumb.
It does indeed get windy in Buffalo, especially on a rooftop, in winter.
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Didn’t seem to do much stabilizing if the fall is any indication 
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In what world does a “sniper” set up that close to the edge of a building? Even in police doctrine snipers or designated marksmen are to be unseen and unheard. A rooftop (unless it is a parapet type roof with loop holes) Is NEVER a good option. Amateur move or lack of funding for a proper “Hide” to be created to provide concealed over watch. So many other options available.
Cheers,
Craig6
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I can imagine a police doctrine where being seen is part of the goal. Make people feel safe and feel watched, and maybe make certain individuals possibly rethink their actions because they realize someone with a rifle has that elevated position over them.
A lot of policing is intentionally conspicuous. Hell, our local patrol vehicles generally drive around with the little blue lights on the side permanently illuminated now to be more visible. Similar to the discussions on why police officers open carry. Deterrence/people seeing their money/funding at work/the objective is to be seen
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@Nathan57 while I agree with your principle of overt deterrence is a thing There are two general things you don’t let the bad guys see in final position, snipers and submarines. You deploy those items and let them be seen in the general area and then you make them disappear which leaves the OPFOR wondering where they went. Hence deterrence is achieved via fear of the unknown.
Cheers,
Craig6
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Depends on the intention. I’m not sure military submarines are necessarily the same as civilian police protection of a parade.
I think it may be giving a little too much credit to assume that all potential 'bad guy’s at a parade have the OPFOR to know that a sniper was seen in the area 6 hours ago when setting up, to say nothing of all the regular people who like the good feels they get from seeing police presence (I suppose there are situations where civilians might like the feeling of seeing a submarine on patrol but that seems fairly uncommon compared to parade patrons wanting to feel covered)
After all, big reason subs don’t want to be seen, is so they don’t get attacked.
Currently, the intended use of police snipers at a parade aren’t really overly concerned with being targeted for attack by a coordinated enemy who wants to take the snipers out before going after the higher value targets in the way a sub may be taken out before going after the carrier (or whatever)
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It was too obvious to be considered a “credible” threat I think. Like those radar gun trailers that flash and say “Your speed is”, I think it was there for deterrence.
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“Was not caused by human error.” Whose error was it then??? smh
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Welcome to the community. Not who what. It just means there was no one to blame.
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