Police officer accidentally shoots black man, another says "**** your breath"

[lego 44,165]

@Shadow Adam, could you find that old thread about police brutality? Can it be pinned again? There are news about trials and such...

[LoveandMagic 1,731]

​I totally understand, and it is really nice to hear your dad's side and its admirable that they also agree that there are some cops who are power hungry trigger happy idiots.

I didn't want to come off as generalizing but it does seem like a majority or at least a very large minority of cops are really dirty and abusive of their power.

I feel bad that your dad and other good cops have to get lumped into the same category as them but public opinion needs to be strong when it comes to police. That way change and progress will happen. Although good cops will have to suffer training and other rules it is worth it to prevent more cops and future cops from taking innocent lives and abusing power.

But thanks for sharing your story it is nice to hear about one of the good ones. I have had experience with good cops but there are far to many bad experiences out there. I just hope that there will be laws and justice dealt so that people like your dad and other citizens don't have to suffer from these so called "police officers"

​I'm not mad at you or anyone who feels the same. You can only judge by your own experiences. There is definitely a problem out there, and what makes it worse is when the good ones get lumped in with the bad ones. Members in law enforcement are very protective of each other because of things like these. What happens is that a suspect is arrested or in the process of an arrest and causes problems, and then everyone blames the arresting officers for it, because in the past and unfortunately now there ARE some bad officers that take advantage. The good officers want to get rid of this negative perception because it makes their job harder. If it's harder to get the citizens to trust them, how can they protect them? They need their assistance in locating the bad individuals and getting them off the streets. So the good ones have to make an effort to weed the bad ones.

And here is a helpful tip: as far as I know every police cruiser has video and audio, both for outside and in. It serves to protects both the suspect and the officer, and has been used many times for each's benefit. If someone feels that their rights are being violated, try to stand near the front of the vehicle and speak clearly, loudly (but not shouting) so the camera will pick it up. Then notify your lawyer immediantly. Also, be fully aware of your rights. In case of an arrest they will be read them to you and you have to acknowledge them, but I think it's only for arrests. If you feel you are being unfairly harassed, or being treated unjustly, you can report it to a higher office, though I'm not sure the details. Also, when in a room with an officer being interviewed, you have the right to ask for a lawyer at anytime, and then all conversation has to cease. I know each state works differently, but I think it is the same everywhere.

I admit, I know less than I should so I may have to ask my dad further on these. Maybe I can find out and make a list. But definitely there should be a system of trust involved. Police are there to serve the community but they also need the co-operation of the community to do their job efficiently. People like my dad and his co-workers understand this and will do what they can to treat everyone, including suspects, fairly. There are good ones out there.

[1986 629]

I'm shocked no one metioned this but

How do you mistake a gun for a taser?  

A taser is in no way shaped like a gun and no where near in the form of a gun.

A gun has a trigger that you MUST pull to shoot.

that man knew what he was doing. Because he had to have felt himself pulling the trigger.

Most likely he thought he could get away with it & they would cover it up for him.  

& To anyone justifying his actions, you better live in the United States of America & Be a black man...

Because some of you come here talking like you are expirencing what African Americans are going through. 

[DeleteMyAccount 11,881]

I'm shocked no one metioned this but

How do you mistake a gun for a taser?  

A taser is in no way shaped like a gun and no where near in the form of a gun.

A gun has a trigger that you MUST pull to shoot.

that man knew what he was doing. Because he had to have felt himself pulling the trigger.

Most likely he thought he could get away with it & they would cover it up for him.  

& To anyone justifying his actions, you better live in the United States of America & Be a black man...

Because some of you come here talking like you are expirencing what African Americans are going through. 

​There's a very good video from The Young Turks about this.  Apparently his taser was in his vest pocket(chest) while his gun was on his waist.  How do you mix that up?

[Whispering 18,865]

​There's a very good video from The Young Turks about this.  Apparently his taser was in his vest pocket(chest) while his gun was on his waist.  How do you mix that up?

He was a 73 year old reserve cop. He got confused, probably due to inexperience and the situation. He should have never been in this type of high stress, major league crime situation anyway. If a community needs to use reserve cops, they should be used for traffic stops (with a partner) or police presence at a parade or things of that nature. The most they should ever be allowed to carry is a taser and  pepper spray. Especially if they are in their seventies or older! 

[DeleteMyAccount 11,881]

He was a 73 year old reserve cop. He got confused, probably due to inexperience and the situation. He should have never been in this type of high stress, major league crime situation anyway. If a community needs to use reserve cops, they should be used for traffic stops (with a partner) or police presence at a parade or things of that nature. The most they should ever be allowed to carry is a taser and  pepper spray. Especially if they are in their seventies or older! 

​Apparently he never got the right training either.  The whole story is a mess.

[Whispering 18,865]

​Apparently he never got the right training either.  The whole story is a mess.

They even falsified the hours of training he did have. This man should have never been issued a gun.