That's really upsetting; I wish I hadn't watched that.

There was a case in my city a few years ago where police killed a 50-something man whose hands were cuffed behind his back. Supposedly he was grabbing for some officers' naughty bits. All the officers were completely cleared in the internal investigation.

In 2000, city legislators established a Citizen Review Board for these cases as a response to anger over several of these cases, as there was a very realistic fear of rioting. The FOP has tied it up in court ever since.

My personal favorite happened here in Chicago several years back. A former Northwestern student was shot and killed by the CPD during a traffic stop. He was unarmed. Bill Nolan, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, told the press the student may have been out to commit suicide and decided to get the cops to shoot him. Unreal.

That is extremely disturbing. I would like to know the full context of that situation, but it's hard to understand why that was necessary from the video. Does anyone have any more info about what the deal was?

No doubt we will be hearing a great deal more about this in the days to come. Public alarm over this incident is huge and growing. Sooner or later the powers that be will have to make some kind of definative statement and/or take some decisive action.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/01/06/BART.shooting/index.html?iref=newssearch


The officer has since resigned and has been advised not to speak to investigators. I think I read something about him getting a psych evaluation too. Grant's family is planning a lawsuit against BART, and there have been violent street protests in Oakland (Grant's family is calling for calm.)

The whole thing stinks on ice.

Well, I have watched this video and read the accounts currently available. The way I see it, at this point you have to ask yourself what do you think happened.

You can choose to believe this was an accidental discharge of an officers weapon with tragic results.

You can choose to believe this was a a rogue cop abusing his power and shooting an unarmed man in the back, in front of dozens of witnesses.

Choose wisely.

There seems to be some question as to whether the cop mistakenly drew his firearm while he was trying to draw his Tazer.

Either way, he killed a human being that was not threatening his (the cop's) life; what he did was terrible and I am sure serious consequences will follow after the investigation is complete.

K

Police Use of Force 101-the officer may use reasonable force based on HIS perception of the events. Since we don't know his perceptions it is impossible to decide right or wrong.Rather than rush to judgement why not wait for the investigation by those who will gather all the facts to decide it.
What caused the police to come into contact with this group? If I recall they were taken off of a train-why?What was the reported crime-personal, property, violent, weapons involved?
If weapons were involved someone who refuses to put and keep their hands in plain view would be considered a threat. If you reach under your body in a prone position same thing.
Did the officer under stress draw his pistol instead of his Taser and accidently shoot the subject-it's happened at least three times-two times here in Minnesota that I am aware of.
Did the officer intentionally kill an unarmed man for no reason other than he had a badge, a gun and a bad attitude? I doubt it but that has happened also.
There is a large part of the story that has not been relayed in the media yet.Getting the full story takes too long and doesn't get ratings. If you don't know all the facts then any judgement is based on limited information.
All we really know is a man was killed by a police officer and it is on several phone videos. The officer at the advice of his counsel has resigned rather than be questioned. Five days after the shooting based on the media coverage rioting has broken out. I guess I never understood how being angry about someone elses perceived illegal actions justifies someone breaking the law.
You hae been advised to choose carefully..I would suggest you withhold judgement until the facts are known.

No reasonable person would suggest acting before all the facts are in. However, the great fear is that the officer might get a pass regardless of the facts. That happens often enough.

It amazes me how many people I have already heard making excuses for why this copper may have acted as he did--they aren't waiting for the facts, either. I mean, how @#$% obvious does the abuse have to be befor people see there might be a problem? Civilians never get this kind of consideration.