Human rights and the police (misconduct)

[Cyrus]

Again, the officer didn't know if the fleeing criminal had a gun or not. It seems logical that if after a VERY long chase the suspect suddenly changes tactics and you are the first to arrive...a verification move might be in order. It appeared the criminal had given up, but it could have been a mis-direction tactic to distract and injure the officer.

The kick served to verify the intent of the suspect...the evasive move following the kick took the officer out of harms way until the second officer arrived.

You are doing an awful lot of assumptions and rationalizations on the police officers conduct here - why?

Ok, let's say he did have a gun. Was he reaching for it? No. Do you see him going for a gun? No. Stop making up stories about what the guy 'could have been thinking in his head'.

 

[Gokul43201]

Again, the officer didn't know if the fleeing criminal had a gun or not. It seems logical that if after a VERY long chase the suspect suddenly changes tactics and you are the first to arrive...a verification move might be in order. It appeared the criminal had given up, but it could have been a mis-direction tactic to distract and injure the officer.

The kick served to verify the intent of the suspect...the evasive move following the kick took the officer out of harms way until the second officer arrived.

From what I've read on some other forums frequented by folks in LE, it did no such thing. If anything, it only risked making things worse.

Apparently, distraction blows are taught to LEOs for use in very specific cases. When an officer fails to apprehend/cuff/hold down a perp due to evasive action by the perp, the officer is trained to deliver a distraction blow before reattempting to restrain the perp.

The distraction blow defense is just that: a distraction blow.

Here's an opinion from a pretty conservative LAPD officer who is a regular contributor to Pajamas Media (which itself is pretty conservative, as blogs go):

Like any good attorney, Mr. Dammier is just doing his job, but that one is a stretch. Mr. Rodriguez was no doubt “distracted” by the kick, but even if such a kick were allowed under department policy (which I doubt), it certainly was not the proper tactic to employ at that time. The officer instead should have placed himself behind some kind of cover and waited for help to arrive before attempting to approach the suspect.

But as any cop can tell you, adrenalin is powerful stuff. My guess is that the officer in question, after a long and very stressful pursuit, ran into that yard not knowing that the suspect had given up, instead fully expecting a violent confrontation with him. When he turned the corner and saw the suspect lying on the grass, he was in effect like a bullet that had already been fired. He failed in that moment to re-program himself for the nonviolent conclusion that was unexpectedly but appropriately called for. In so failing, he endangered himself and his fellow officers by risking an altercation that might have resulted in a shooting, and he made them all look bad in the process.

(emphasis mine)

http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/what-happens-when-a-police-officer-kicks-a-gang-member/

 

[AUMathTutor]

I can't believe people would defend the cop.

The *suspect* should walk and be paid a hefty settlement by the LAPD. The police officer should lose his job and go to jail on felony assault. The attorney should have his license revoked and be put in the loony bin.

 

[Cyrus]

I can't believe people would defend the cop.

The *suspect* should walk and be paid a hefty settlement by the LAPD. The police officer should lose his job and go to jail on felony assault. The attorney should have his license revoked and be put in the loony bin.

Wrong. The cop and his suspect should be in jail. The suspect should not walk.

 

[rootX]

But as any cop can tell you, adrenalin is powerful stuff. My guess is that the officer in question, after a long and very stressful pursuit, ran into that yard not knowing that the suspect had given up, instead fully expecting a violent confrontation with him. When he turned the corner and saw the suspect lying on the grass, he was in effect like a bullet that had already been fired. He failed in that moment to re-program himself for the nonviolent conclusion that was unexpectedly but appropriately called for. In so failing, he endangered himself and his fellow officers by risking an altercation that might have resulted in a shooting, and he made them all look bad in the process.

Can training be enough intensive to enable cops to act under control in these like situations?

They are humans not some robocops! So, I am expecting them to have limits. A normal person wouldn't even been able to purse the criminal - confrontation is another thing.

 

[turbo]

Let's look at possible outcomes. If the kick had dislocated the suspect's neck and left him a quadrapelegic, the suspect would be "living" the rest of his life paralyzed and requiring very expensive care (taxpayers, rejoice!). The cop should be discharged immediately and be subject to charge and prosecution by the DA.

None of this mitigates what the suspect might have done before his arrest. The offenses are separate and should remain so.

 

[turbo]

A normal person wouldn't even been able to purse the criminal - confrontation is another thing.

One of my best friends was the chief of the Maine warden service. His son hollered down from upstairs that he had just heard a shot (out-of-season, and after dark and they lived in an area frequented by deer poachers). Parker jumped out of his chair, and in his underwear and T-shirt raced after the truck passing by. A passenger in the truck took a couple of shots at him during the chase, during which he called for backup. The driver ditched the truck and the occupants bailed out and ran into the woods. Parker chased them into the woods. A trooper showed up on the scene and blipped his siren, so Parker ran back to the road. The trooper had some training clothes in the trunk, so Parker grabbed a set of sweats and some sweat-socks (still no shoes) and the trooper's back-up sidearm. They headed into the woods and apprehended one of the perps pretty quickly, and got the other one not too long after. My friend got shot at, chased the a$$holes through the woods in his underwear (with sweats, later), and managed to apprehend the poachers without kicking them in the face or any other childish crap.

Want to make an argument about adrenaline, pursuit, and confrontation? It won't wash. Real adult law-enforcement personnel put their lives at risk AND they follow the law, so that they don't contaminate their cases and put the convictions at risk.

 

[WhoWee]

Then maybe he should have just popped a couple of caps into him to gauge his response just as easily?

Cleaving to the position that the officer may have had a hard day, and so can act lawlessly as he pleases, is not exactly witnessing for personal responsibility and consequences for your actions - the framework of civilized behavior - the standard to which you would presumably hold the perpetrator who received this romantic vision of yours of "street justice" instantly meted out.

LP...Did the officer really act in a "lawless" manner? Did he really engage in "street justice"? Was the gang member a shrinking violet...what was his gang initiation?

You presume to know what my romantic idea of street justice is, although I'm not sure I even have one...but here goes. The cop chases the guy into the yard, because nobody was injured in the chase...he beats the guy bloody...takes his ID and let's him go...says he'll be watching him. Is that romantic enough...does it fit the cliche?

How about this, maybe the police should just go on strike nationwide for better working conditions, better technology and a lot more help. They need a bailout. In the mean time, they should just let everyone do as they please...until something REALLY bad happens...prioitize crime. Afterall, (especially CA) we can't afford to lock anyone else up anyway.

Cyrus...you live in the Washington D.C. area...have you ever driven around the S.E. on a hot summer night...it's a war zone. Can you imagine what the police endure in the course of a single day? I don't think they're even allowed to respond to a crime unless there are at least 2 cars (with 2 officers each). LA is worse...given the problems with Mexican gangs.

I didn't start out defending the cop...he was wrong. But I'm tired of hearing about police "misconduct". We have very mean streets. The job of Police officer has to be the worst job in the big cities of America...and it's getting worse.

 

[Gokul43201]

We have very mean streets. The job of Police officer has to be the worst job in the big cities of America...and it's getting worse

...thanks in part, to cases like this, where cops overreach their legal bounds.

 

[russ_watters]

Wrong. The cop and his suspect should be in jail. The suspect should not walk.

... and the defense attorney is just doing his job.

 

[Cyrus]

... and the defense attorney is just doing his job.

I was going on the assumption that his attorney is a no good crook by default since he's a lawyer. How did that profession ever become respectable? I sware they are legal scam artists.

 

[WhoWee]

Wrong. The cop and his suspect should be in jail. The suspect should not walk.

What(?)...you said this at the top of the thread:

"hAHAHAH he got rocked in the face. That officer is an idiot because now they guy is going to walk away from his crime. That cop should be fired."

You seemed to have enjoyed the fact that the cop kicked the guy...now you're outraged. Make up your mind...or at least clarify your point.

 

[rootX]

What(?)...you said this at the top of the thread:

"hAHAHAH he got rocked in the face. That officer is an idiot because now they guy is going to walk away from his crime. That cop should be fired."
.

One is "is" and other is "should"

 

[Cyrus]

What(?)...you said this at the top of the thread:

"hAHAHAH he got rocked in the face. That officer is an idiot because now they guy is going to walk away from his crime. That cop should be fired."

You seemed to have enjoyed the fact that the cop kicked the guy...now you're outraged. Make up your mind...or at least clarify your point.

I am happy he got kicked in the face, becaue he got what was coming to him. That doesn't make it right.

Think of it this way. Ever been in a bar with an annyoing person, and then seen that guy get socked in the mouth? You don't feel bad for him, but that doesn't mean its right.

I was actually think about this a few days ago. We often say "he got what he deserved" but here that's clearly a wrong use of words. Did he 'deserve' that? No. He only deserves to get what the law sentences him to. (And I'm glad i didnt say he got what he deserved here). All he 'deserved' is a fair trial.

 

[JasonRox]

One of my best friends was the chief of the Maine warden service. His son hollered down from upstairs that he had just heard a shot (out-of-season, and after dark and they lived in an area frequented by deer poachers). Parker jumped out of his chair, and in his underwear and T-shirt raced after the truck passing by. A passenger in the truck took a couple of shots at him during the chase, during which he called for backup. The driver ditched the truck and the occupants bailed out and ran into the woods. Parker chased them into the woods. A trooper showed up on the scene and blipped his siren, so Parker ran back to the road. The trooper had some training clothes in the trunk, so Parker grabbed a set of sweats and some sweat-socks (still no shoes) and the trooper's back-up sidearm. They headed into the woods and apprehended one of the perps pretty quickly, and got the other one not too long after. My friend got shot at, chased the a$$holes through the woods in his underwear (with sweats, later), and managed to apprehend the poachers without kicking them in the face or any other childish crap.

Want to make an argument about adrenaline, pursuit, and confrontation? It won't wash. Real adult law-enforcement personnel put their lives at risk AND they follow the law, so that they don't contaminate their cases and put the convictions at risk.

Crazy story!

Good point too.

 

[LowlyPion]

LP...Did the officer really act in a "lawless" manner?

Yes.

Res ipsa loquitur.

Book'em Danno.

 

[rootX]

One of my best friends was the chief of the Maine warden service. His son hollered down from upstairs that he had just heard a shot (out-of-season, ...
back-up sidearm. They headed into the woods and apprehended one of the perps pretty quickly, and got the other one not too long after.

No less thrilling here.

My friend got shot at, chased the a$$holes through the woods in his underwear (with sweats, later), and managed to apprehend the poachers without kicking them in the face or any other childish crap.

You know there was only one kick that lasted like few milliseconds? First, there is no way of telling if that didn't happen there too unless you were also there. Second, that and this are two different circumstances. And lastly, I don't see how you are using this to prove that an average policeman can deal with any situation perfectly without losing self control. I argued that they have limits and things don't go perfect all the times.

 

[JasonRox]

No less thrilling here.



You know there was only one kick that lasted like few milliseconds? First, there is no way of telling if that didn't happen there too unless you were also there. Second, that and this are two different circumstances. And lastly, I don't see how you are using this to prove that an average policeman can deal with any situation perfectly without losing self control. I argued that they have limits and things don't go perfect all the times.

I hope a police officer boots you in the head when he sees you stealing.

Oooppss... caught in the moment.

Note: Moral, it's not for the police officer to determine your punishment. Turns out you didn't steal. Well, uh... mistakes happen. Looks like he thought you stole cause you were next to a thief.

 

[rootX]

I hope a police officer boots you in the head when he sees you stealing.

Oooppss... caught in the moment.

Note: Moral, it's not for the police officer to determine your punishment. Turns out you didn't steal. Well, uh... mistakes happen. Looks like he thought you stole cause you were next to a thief.

That's not even close to the circumstances in the OP.

I think I would deserve that if I try best to kill the officer .. and surrender when all fails.

 

[Cyrus]

That's not even close to the circumstances in the OP.

I think I would deserve that if I try best to kill the officer .. and surrender when all fails.

See my post about the use of the word deserve.

 

[JasonRox]

That's not even close to the circumstances in the OP.

I think I would deserve that if I try best to kill the officer .. and surrender when all fails.

You still don't deserve a beat to the head.

If that's what he deserves, then no need for a trial. He already got what he deserved according to you. Should set him free now.

 

[rootX]

See my post about the use of the word deserve.

Yes true but here when I used the word "deserved" I meant that I wouldn't be expecting the officer to behave professionally/nicely when I try my best to push his limits and cooperate when I am left with no more alternatives to kill the officer. (I agree that officer would be misconducting by law in this case)

 

[AUMathTutor]

I agree that the cop is not qualified to determine whether the suspect deserves a kick in the head. It's the judge's job to say what should happen to the guy, if he's guilty. For all we know, the guy had a perfectly legitimate reason to run from the cops. If I thought the cops would brutalize me for no reason, I might run too.

 

[WhoWee]

For all we know, the guy had a perfectly legitimate reason to run from the cops. If I thought the cops would brutalize me for no reason, I might run too.

Let me see if I understand.

I guess OJ made fleeing the police a cool thing to do...especially if you want to prove that you're innocent...the longer you run, the more lives you endanger, the bigger the television spectacle...the more afraid of police brutality you become?

Actually, it makes sense...look at the poor little terror suspects sitting in Guantanamo...we've taken away their right to create "manmade disaters" and subjected them to enhanced interrogation techniques...unlike their more basic methods...like cutting off heads.

Have they disclosed which drug gang to which the subject of our thread is a member? Does he have any other cases or charges pending...that's always a good reason to flee the police.

Maybe the police should just start shooting criminals who run...so they don't kill any innocent pedestrians in their drive for freedom.

 

[AUMathTutor]

In America you're innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

 

[WhoWee]

In America you're innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Or (more often) public opinion. Did you hear the subject of our thread was running because he feared police brutality...he was innocent and the kick proved it.

 

[Cyrus]

Or (more often) public opinion. Did you hear the subject of our thread was running because he feared police brutality...he was innocent and the kick proved it.

I don't think anyone said that, and if they did don't lump that crap with the statements I have made. Put a name behind what people are saying. Don't associate me with that.

 

[Cyrus]

Let me see if I understand.

I guess OJ made fleeing the police a cool thing to do...especially if you want to prove that you're innocent...the longer you run, the more lives you endanger, the bigger the television spectacle...the more afraid of police brutality you become?

Actually, it makes sense...look at the poor little terror suspects sitting in Guantanamo...we've taken away their right to create "manmade disaters" and subjected them to enhanced interrogation techniques...unlike their more basic methods...like cutting off heads.

Have they disclosed which drug gang to which the subject of our thread is a member? Does he have any other cases or charges pending...that's always a good reason to flee the police.

Maybe the police should just start shooting criminals who run...so they don't kill any innocent pedestrians in their drive for freedom.

I have generally found that answering a bad post with an equally if not worse post, tends not to help. I find your comments about GITMO disturbing as a fellow American, because as a proud amurikan your comments make you sound less and less like you understand the principles of American democracy.

 

[WhoWee]

I don't think anyone said that, and if they did don't lump that crap with the statements I have made. Put a name behind what people are saying. Don't associate me with that.

No...you're just glad that he was kicked in the face because he deserved it...but he really didn't deserve it...or something like that?

 

[Cyrus]

No...you're just glad that he was kicked in the face because he deserved it...but he really didn't deserve it...or something like that?

How do you not understand what I wrote? I never said he 'deserved' to get kicked in the head - in fact I explicitly said the oposite and made a post entirely on the use of the word deserve.

 

[AUMathTutor]

You can joke about it all you want, but I wonder how the people who get beat to death by cops feel about it.

http://www.ajc.com/business/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/09/19/atlanta_police_suit.html?cxntlid=inform_artr

http://www.oregoninjurylawyerblog.com/2008/12/oregon_wrongful_death_trial_al.html

http://www.mefeedia.com/entry/police-brutality-ian-tomlinson-was-attacked-by-the-police-before-his-death/18224093

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Pennsylvania_police_investigating_death_of_tased_0806.html

I don't know whether to be more afraid of drug dealers or the police. Oh, wait. No brainer. The drug dealers won't come into my house and beat me to death for no reason.

 

[Cyrus]

You can joke about it all you want, but I wonder how the people who get beat to death by cops feel about it.

http://www.ajc.com/business/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/09/19/atlanta_police_suit.html?cxntlid=inform_artr

http://www.oregoninjurylawyerblog.com/2008/12/oregon_wrongful_death_trial_al.html

http://www.mefeedia.com/entry/police-brutality-ian-tomlinson-was-attacked-by-the-police-before-his-death/18224093

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Pennsylvania_police_investigating_death_of_tased_0806.html

I don't know whether to be more afraid of drug dealers or the police. Oh, wait. No brainer. The drug dealers won't come into my house and beat me to death for no reason.

The point you are trying to make is a weak one. Apples and oranges here.

 

[WhoWee]

I have generally found that answering a bad post with an equally if not worse post, tends not to help. I find your comments about GITMO disturbing as a fellow American, because as a proud amurikan your comments make you sound less and less like you understand the principles of American democracy.

Sticks and stones Cyrus...nope, I'm just a happy fellow...not a care in the world...hmmmmmm. Please don't deny me my happiness with your personal attacks.

 

[Cyrus]

Sticks and stones Cyrus...nope, I'm just a happy fellow...not a care in the world...hmmmmmm. Please don't deny me my happiness with your personal attacks.

Right now, you remind me of glenn beck. He also sticks his fingers in his ears and only hears what he wants to hear.

 

[AUMathTutor]

"The point you are trying to make is a weak one. Apples and oranges here."

How on Earth is it a weak point? If this sort of behavior is sanctioned, it will only become more and more commonplace. I don't know how, as a human being, the thought that the people who are sworn to protect us would just as soon beat the **** out of us doesn't make you angry, sad, or afraid. It doesn't make any sense to me. In my mind it's indefensible.

There are legitimate reasons for running from the police. I will be happy to name several if you want to go down that road. Regardless of the legitimacy or legality of the alleged evasion, you cannot assault people with no consequences. I can't do it, the President of the US can't do it, and a street cop in LA can't do it either.

 

[AUMathTutor]

I wonder how you would feel if the criminal had been trying to mug the cop, and had kicked him in the head when he was prostrate on the ground, ready to surrender his stuff. Then punched him in the gut. Then the criminal's slime-bag attorney says that it was just a distraction and does not constitute assault.

 

[WhoWee]

You can joke about it all you want, but I wonder how the people who get beat to death by cops feel about it.

http://www.ajc.com/business/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/09/19/atlanta_police_suit.html?cxntlid=inform_artr

http://www.oregoninjurylawyerblog.com/2008/12/oregon_wrongful_death_trial_al.html

http://www.mefeedia.com/entry/police-brutality-ian-tomlinson-was-attacked-by-the-police-before-his-death/18224093

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Pennsylvania_police_investigating_death_of_tased_0806.html

I don't know whether to be more afraid of drug dealers or the police. Oh, wait. No brainer. The drug dealers won't come into my house and beat me to death for no reason.

You're right, it's not a joke...why didn't you post about the recent cop killing spree we've just endured...Oakland for instance?

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11970.../03/22/hes_not_a_monster_says_oakland_cop.php

 

[WhoWee]

There are legitimate reasons for running from the police. I will be happy to name several if you want to go down that road. Regardless of the legitimacy or legality of the alleged evasion, you cannot assault people with no consequences.

Yes...please name EVERY good reason to break the law and run from the police.

 

[WhoWee]

Right now, you remind me of glenn beck. He also sticks his fingers in his ears and only hears what he wants to hear.

More name calling?

This was your first post on the subject..."hAHAHAH he got rocked in the face. That officer is an idiot because now they guy is going to walk away from his crime. That cop should be fired."

Now you're upset because I made a funny.:zzz:

 

[AUMathTutor]

I don't support the killing of police officers. But to be a police officer comes with certain risks and responsibilities. When you put on the uniform, you know that you might be killed. You accept that risk. You have a responsibility to protect and serve the public - before yourself.

Suspects of crimes have made no such commitment. By being in America, they agree to adhere to the law OR to be punished according to the law. Therefore, it is a violation of civil rights for a police officer to beat up a suspect.

I shudder to think what the world would be like if the law said it was alright for police officers to beat up suspects. So much for freedom and human rights.

 

[AUMathTutor]

"Yes...please name EVERY good reason to break the law and run from the police."

- Medical emergency
- Mental instability
- Someone was making him do it
- He knew one of the police officers, the officer had threatened to kill him while he was off duty, the guy recognized the cop and was driving to the police station / out of the county / etc.

 

[WhoWee]

I don't support the killing of police officers. But to be a police officer comes with certain risks and responsibilities. When you put on the uniform, you know that you might be killed. You accept that risk. You have a responsibility to protect and serve the public - before yourself.

Suspects of crimes have made no such commitment. By being in America, they agree to adhere to the law OR to be punished according to the law. Therefore, it is a violation of civil rights for a police officer to beat up a suspect.

I shudder to think what the world would be like if the law said it was alright for police officers to beat up suspects. So much for freedom and human rights.

Wait a minute...we might be onto something here...does that include all of the laws...immigration for instance?

Can you explain how that works?

If a Mexican citizen sneaks across the border...he's not yet IN the US...so he didn't knowingly break the law...then because he's here...he agrees to adhere to the law and turn himself in...is that right...and if he carried a few drugs across the border or had a gun fight with a rival gang...well, that's another issue...for the POLICE.

 

[WhoWee]

"Yes...please name EVERY good reason to break the law and run from the police."

- Medical emergency
- Mental instability
- Someone was making him do it
- He knew one of the police officers, the officer had threatened to kill him while he was off duty, the guy recognized the cop and was driving to the police station / out of the county / etc.

People with medical emergencies should run from the police?
Mentally unstable people probably shouldn't be driving.
Back to OJ...he had a gun and he's my friend so I had to do it?
And you saved the best for last...did you make that up...or can you post an actual story?

 

[AUMathTutor]

"People with medical emergencies should run from the police? "
Perhaps he had a passenger who was dying and needed immediate medical attention. Perhaps he had ingested a large amount of poison and was rushing to the hospital. Perhaps he had a family member who had been involved in a terrible accident and needed a rare blood transfusion / organ transplant. Perhaps he was just imagining one or more of these things.

"Mentally unstable people probably shouldn't be driving."
And police shouldn't be kicking people's teeth in...

"Back to OJ...he had a gun and he's my friend so I had to do it?"
If you're in a car and a guy is holding a gun to your head and says "drive", then I fail to see how you're breaking any laws by doing what you have to do to stay alive. Maybe the guy thought somebody was there with a gun to his head.

"And you saved the best for last...did you make that up...or can you post an actual story?"
I just made it up, but reality is stranger than fiction. Do you think that a police officer somewhere in America has never threatened to kill somebody and actually done it, making it look like a legitimate police action? I wouldn't take that bet, and I doubt you would either.

Drugs put funny ideas into people's heads. If the guy was hallucinating, or had a reason to run, he doesn't deserve to get kicked. He has the right to tell his side of the story. That's what the court system is for.

 

[Huckleberry]

I don't know whether to be more afraid of drug dealers or the police. Oh, wait. No brainer. The drug dealers won't come into my house and beat me to death for no reason.

Drug addicts will rob a house or kill someone randomly for almost nothing, and that money goes straight to their dealers. Criminal actions by policemen against civilians are much rarer in comparison. It's just that these incidents get more attention because it is particularly repugnant when a person who is given authority to protect people uses that authority to harm or intimidate them.

Either way, criminal acts are rarely without reason. There is usually something to be gained or lost that inspires the criminal action whether the perpetrator is a law enforcement agent or not. Even when acting despite law or morality there is still the consideration of reward vs. risk.

 

[WhoWee]

"People with medical emergencies should run from the police? "
Perhaps he had a passenger who was dying and needed immediate medical attention. Perhaps he had ingested a large amount of poison and was rushing to the hospital. Perhaps he had a family member who had been involved in a terrible accident and needed a rare blood transfusion / organ transplant. Perhaps he was just imagining one or more of these things.

"Mentally unstable people probably shouldn't be driving."
And police shouldn't be kicking people's teeth in...

"Back to OJ...he had a gun and he's my friend so I had to do it?"
If you're in a car and a guy is holding a gun to your head and says "drive", then I fail to see how you're breaking any laws by doing what you have to do to stay alive. Maybe the guy thought somebody was there with a gun to his head.

"And you saved the best for last...did you make that up...or can you post an actual story?"
I just made it up, but reality is stranger than fiction. Do you think that a police officer somewhere in America has never threatened to kill somebody and actually done it, making it look like a legitimate police action? I wouldn't take that bet, and I doubt you would either.

Drugs put funny ideas into people's heads. If the guy was hallucinating, or had a reason to run, he doesn't deserve to get kicked. He has the right to tell his side of the story. That's what the court system is for.

Can you cite an actual event to support any of these suppositions? None of these were the case in the context of this thread.

 

[AUMathTutor]

"Can you cite an actual event to support any of these suppositions? None of these were the case in the context of this thread."

How did the police officer know that these weren't the reasons? Prove it.

My issue isn't so much with this particular instance of police brutality, but with the general idea that police can assault suspects at their discretion. Maybe this guy was guilty as sin. But it's not the cop's job to judge the suspect.

 

[LowlyPion]

Can you cite an actual event to support any of these suppositions? None of these were the case in the context of this thread.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4017382

 

[rootX]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4017382

The Moats family, who are black, said they can't help but think that race might have played a part in the white officer's behavior.

...

(I haven't read it fully but it looks pretty similar to this one. Looks like Police officer is being blamed for everything. But so far from this story, I understand that I can break laws in case of emergencies and police need to understand that.)

 

[Huckleberry]

Where does this us vs. them perspective come from between civilians and police? It's not uncommon that people don't trust police officers, but is it really because of incidents like this or is there some other cause? Do police look at every civilian as a potential criminal? Is that perspective something that develops for their safety, or is there something in the psychological profile of people that seek to become police officers that feeds off authority?

Here's a case where a police officer maces an employee at a McDonalds drive-thru because she short-changed him $10. That's the situation from the officer's perspective. The employees perspective is that the officer mistakenly gave her a $10 bill rather than a $20 and she made the correct change. I can't help but think that this entire incident, despite who is correct, is all about a dispute over $10. The officer becomes judge, jury and executioner. He's overstepped his authority.

http://www.videosift.com/video/Policeman-Pepper-Spray-Teen-For-Short-Change