Graphic video shows Daniel Shaver sobbing and begging officer for his life before 2016 shooting

You realize that we will have nobody joining the police force if you guys allow people to just go up and shoot them without them being allowed to defend themselves.

 

My unit did not. And I never felt like the rules of engagement were too restrictive either. So I know for a fact that police can abide by the same rules without subjecting themselves to unreasonable levels of danger. This is especially true because police do not face nearly the level of danger I experienced in country.

 

Big shocker there!

It's pretty simple.

Cops should only be allowed to use force that is in response to positive identification, not guesswork and feelings.

It's the same standard that actual warriors abide by in a real war zone, so there is no reason why police in America cannot abide by them as well.

If you cannot handle that minimal responsibility, then go work at McDonald's, because you have no business being in a position of power and authority within American society.

 

Mac doesn't seem to realize that America was founded on an act of lawlessness, and that breaking the law is probably this country's oldest and proudest tradition.

 

It's the exact same argument the founders used to establish this country.

 

The cop should continue to assess the situation until they positively identify some kind of hostile action or intent. The idea that cops can shoot people based on nothing more than their feelings and guesswork is permission to shoot basically anyone for almost any reason.

 

Didn't you just imply that I was a baby-killer?

Your candid admission reinforces my point that cops are overly excitable and anxious on the job. Someone who is "terrified" is simply not in a position to assess situations calmly and rationally.

 

We can start by reminding them that they're peace officers, not a military occupation. Simply changing police culture and identity will go a long way towards solving the problem.

But if you want some specifics or technical details, I would suggest they be given OBJECTIVE criteria for the use of force instead of SUBJECTIVE criteria that rely on feelings and speculation. For example, they must SEE a firearm, not merely ASSUME one is present.

 

Hear-hear!

 

Farming is significantly more dangerous than police work, yet nobody would characterize farming as "inherently violent and dangerous".

The simple fact is that being a police officer really isn't that dangerous. Statistically speaking, the most dangerous aspect of police work is driving around in a squad car. Only a tiny percentage of police officers are shot. It's a risk, but a very, very small one.

Nobody is demanding perfection from police. Far from it. We're simply demanding that they refrain from killing totally innocent people who pose no real danger to anyone.

 

Shaver was totally innocent of any crime.

 

I see the the class of people that cheer for more dead cops is still at it.

Its kind of funny that they think judging things with 20/20 hindsight from the comfort of their couch is reality.

Reality states that if he did have a gun and the cop waited until he saw it the kid could have easily gotten 3 or 4 aimed rounds off.

 

That is the most ironic aspect of this entire debate.

The people most likely to defend this murderous cop are the same people who shout the loudest about liberty and the second amendment.

The hypocrisy is breathtaking.

 

You understand the constitution better than most Americans!

 

They were right but you are wrong

I suspect they would have had no difficulty banning dangerous drugs like heroin, cocain and meth had those drugs been a problem in their day

 

Its very dangerous for cops on the street

But many cops are support personel or detectives who do not have to face violent public very often

 

I expect the cop to walk into the room, with his weapon on the target, and see for himself that the individual was unarmed. He had plenty of time to do that.

 

I agree with you. I believe that assessment took place in that hallway, and in the flash of a moment, when the young man quickly reached behind his back, the result was tragic.

This whole thing sucks, but if the "anti-cop" crowd wants to be taken seriously, they need to apply some logic and understanding to their arguments, otherwise people will view their complaints as having no objectivity.

 

You expect the cop to walk into an uncleared room, with the suspect in there? No.

The policeman followed proper procedures... you get the suspect OUT of any unsecured enclosure, and spread-eagle him, face-down on the ground (or floor), with hands and arms OUTSTRETCHED. If he makes any sudden moves, you shoot him... period.

 

Thank you Ethereal,
This may come as a surprise to you but I was bred, born, raised and educated in these United States of [North] America, just like my parents, their parents, etc. I was taught the Constitution for the United States beginning in Grammar/Elementary school and I still like reading said Constitution.

 

What school did you go to? I had to teach myself about the Constitution and civil rights laws as an older adult because what I learned in school was extremely basic and idealistic/propagandist. Most Americans have not one clue about the Constitution, including most government servants. They have no idea what it is they take an Oath to preserve, protect and defend.

"If you don't know your rights, you have none". - (not sure who I'm quoting)

 

Cops are anti-cop themselves, with the outlandish behavior that is pervasive among them in most sectors of the society. Long gone are the days of the Normal Rockwell painting of "Officer Friendly". Nowadays we get "Officer Fiendly". With most cops armed to the proverbial teeth with other old U.S. military equipment, the mentality of SIEGE has taken hold of many of the PDs in these United States, with tragic consequences. All is fair until the BEAST comes knocking at our door, resulting in death or severe injury to you or our family member(s). The sensible thing is to stop the insanity before it becomes more tragic than it already has been, but as long as most are "safe" and "secure", it will continue unabated. As Benjamin Franklin so eloquently stated, "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

 

My scholastic career began in South Carolina. As to the rest of your post, all I have to say is AMIN AKI! (AMEN BROTHER!)

 

There is a minority of the population that hold your views.