How Will Public Perception Change After Caretaker of Autistic Man Is Shot?

[Averagesupernova]

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article90905442.html

Wondering how this event will be spun. Pretty hard to defend this one.

 

[phinds]

Unbelievable. Either the cop is a real moron or there is something that went on that isn't shown in the video.

 

[fresh_42]

Unbelievable. Either the cop is a real moron or there is something that went on that isn't shown in the video.

In any case: the grip on a gun is by far too easy and happens by far too often in the states.

I have been told yesterday that doctors nationwide are currently going to substitute opioids by more non-addictive medicamentation, because there have been too many fatal cases of drug abuse. On the other side few are apparently concerned about est. 30,000 deaths by gun violence every single year. That is a funeral every 15 minutes 24/7, no holidays.

 

[Averagesupernova]

Unbelievable. Either the cop is a real moron or there is something that went on that isn't shown in the video.

I thought of this too, about something in that video that is not shown. I thought maybe the guy with the arms up did something stupid. Imagine a guy going for his gun after having the cops in his confidence. However, he did not have a gun. He had his arms up right away. Why would he then do something to provoke the cop? This has become a pretty serious problem in my book. People will throw out all kinds of statistics and comparisons to try to make little of these events. But what needs to be addressed is the PERCEPTION. Ivan Seeking said in another thread:

Because we know what to expect from criminals. But the police are supposed to serve and protect, not kill. It is a systemic failure and a betrayal of the public trust in the most profound sense. It undermines the basis for law and order because no one respects the system as being fair.

And he is correct. This was in response to someone's suggestion of it being a smaller problem than civilians killing each other. We have been told since we were small that the cop is our friend. Do people really believe this anymore after current events? This alone is a serious problem.

 

[russ_watters]

We have been told since we were small that the cop is our friend.

I was, but I'm pretty sure that isn't universally true. Particularly if you aren't just talking about your/our parents.

Do people really believe this anymore after current events?

Yes.

 

[Averagesupernova]

I cannot say I trust law enforcement any less than before because my opinion was pretty low to start with due to several friends and acquaintances run-ins with the law in the past. I'm not talking about a cops attitude or something like this. I am talking about planting evidence and things of this nature. I won't drag that into this thread but it shows how my distrust for law enforcement was established. While I have always had a distrust for cops, what is happening lately is a new low. This is my point about perception.

 

[nsaspook]

Looks like complete tunnel vision to the "threat" of a suicidal man with a gun. Every action no matter how innocent by these two men were seen as reinforcing that perception. The man who was shot was a hero to the young man with autism and maybe saved a life that day.

Yes, I trust the police, I'm not calling a crackhead when I need help. No amount of training and simulation can stop some people from making bad decisions when they fear for their lives. The current atmosphere of police ambush murders weekly doesn't help.

 

[fresh_42]

I've lately seen a video that has been taken after a police chase in Nashua (NH). The driver of a car left it, got on his knees with his hands up and then lays down on the street. Then six cops came and severely walloped the man lying on the street. No matter what might have happened before, there is no justification for this kind of brutality after a suspect's surrender. And I know of a police department in NM which is under federal surveillance because of such methods. It is becoming harder and harder to have sympathy for American cops. Of course I know that those examples are the ones which make it to the news. They shouldn't occur anyway. And since nearly everybody can make small video recordings, such instances can be seen on a weekly basis. Sorry, but this is far too many.

 

[nsaspook]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...i-315pm:homepage/story&utm_term=.ec4094b8dfad

 

[mheslep]

... We have been told since we were small that the cop is our friend. Do people really believe this anymore after current events?

Current events and particular events that are publicized are two different things. And yes.

 

[Averagesupernova]

In the locked thread someone pointed out how much more careful they would be during a traffic stop. I share that opinion. So, it IS making a difference. Again, perceptions.