Whether Darren Wilson was justified in using deadly force under existing rules or not, perhaps this case should prompt police departments to re-think their rules and procedures. Between this case, the Wal Mart shooting, and the kid with the air gun that was shot and killed earlier today, I think police need to be held to a higher threshold for resorting to using their guns. Shouldn't the unarmed citizen be given a larger benefit of the doubt than the policeman with a gun? Does a physical altercation / fistfight need to result in a deadly shooting? I also seriously question why it is necessary to shoot 10+ times when a threat is perceived. Perhaps shooting once or twice may be a better policy to allow a second chance to evaluate the situation rather than resorting to overkill. If you shoot your weapon 10+ times, there is only one possible outcome, a dead citizen. If a mistake is made, there is no chance of survival for the innocent civilian.
oh brother -- Emperor Obama to provide his comments at 9 central I wonder if he'll say "If I had a son he'd look like Michael Brown" (like he did on the Trayvon Martin incident)
Help me out here. At what point should an officer get to resort to deadly force? Should an officer wait until he is on the brink of unconsciousness before he decides to end the threat? The law is as simple as it needs to be. When an individual is posing a threat of serious bodily injury to an individual, deadly force is justified. You can't look at incidents in a vacuum. LoL you already know what's coming.
6 years later and he still hasn't learned to stay out of race related issues. One wonders why we cant get over race.
the Age of Obama has fostered a lawless, mob rule, rule by men ethos, where outcomes are more important than (due) process
Also, you could add 'don't hold a toy gun while black' and 'don't reach for your wallet while black' and you won't get shot.
The answer, obviously, lies somewhere in between your statement and his, but I tend to lean more in your direction. Although, as I said, there are some crooked cops out there. See the NY thing I talked about last page as an example. To me, the correct answer is indiviualized, in-uniform cameras to record audio and video on all patrol officers. No reason, money aside, this can't happen. Hell, I don't think money should be an answer, either. If they want to take collections, go ahead. They can start in Ferguson, Missouri. I'm sure the people there would donate.
Yes, I totally agree, body cameras on all cops are the best solution for this problem. It has already been shown to be effective in Rialto, CA. I'm sure there will still be incidents and disagreements, but it is an important first step.
The wallet thing was absolutely dispicable, and that guy should go to prison. The same with the assaulting cop in Saratoga. The kid reaching for the air gun - meh, that sucks. Unfortunately, being that young, he probably didn't consider the consequences, but they were just...
It's what the officer KNEW at the TIME it was HAPPENING. Not what we can tell later while sitting at the desk. Granted, the guy reaching for his wallet was overboard and thankfully that guy wasn't killed. Medical malpractice kills on upwards of 100,000 people a year, on average. In the past ten years, law enforcement has killed about 5000 people, most of which were justified. So where’s the outrage and disdain for health professionals? In other words, the people who were killed were participating in behavior that put the lives of others at imminent risk of death. Behavior that forced a police officer to use deadly force. The taking of a life is not something that should be taken lightly for sure. But watch the tube, listen to the elite and read the websites that exist only to vilify the police as a whole and you’d think it’s in the hundreds of thousands. So why the constant questioning of police use of force? Well, to the untrained eye the using of real force on real people doesn’t look too good. To the untrained and uninformed eyes of those who have absolutely no understanding or exposure to real violence, they look terrible. Why? Because most people have never seen real violence and because of cop TV shows and movies, most think they both understand and can do the job.
An even better answer than that is to not expect a system that was never designed to respect your rights to deliver justice on your behalf. Saw this coming days ago and I am not surprised in the least.
I'm calling BS here. The "system" works for those with privilege. Folks like Michael Brown don't enjoy that privilege. Case closed...for now. That DA punted the ball over to the Feds.
educate yourself -- read the evidence packet that will be provided and come to a conclusion don't let the media and your preconceived biases shape your opinions and emotions
I was going to stay out of this thread but just wanted to point out. Killings by Utah police outpacing gang, drug, child-abuse homicides In the past five years, more Utahns have been killed by police than by gang members. Or drug dealers. Or from child abuse. And so far this year, deadly force by police has claimed more lives — 13, including a Saturday shooting in South Jordan — than has violence between spouses and dating partners.
