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The Jacob Blake shooting is one of those rare circumstances where the "We need better police training!" people may be right...in a way.
There is a video used in some police training/orientations that shows an officer being shot and killed during a traffic stop. 1/
There is a video used in some police training/orientations that shows an officer being shot and killed during a traffic stop. 1/
The video is real footage taken from the officer's dashcam. I don't recall the jurisdiction but it's a small town/rural area and the officer knows the guy he's pulling over.
The officer doesn't take control of the situation, at his peril. 2/
The officer doesn't take control of the situation, at his peril. 2/
The officer orders the man to put his hands up--at gunpoint, if memory serves--but the man doesn't listen. He's ignoring all commands and reaches into his pickup truck.
From the view, you can't tell what he's doing but the officer is panicking and staying near his cruiser. 3/
From the view, you can't tell what he's doing but the officer is panicking and staying near his cruiser. 3/
Suddenly, the man pulls out an AR-15 and points it at the officer, who screams as he is shot to death. It's traumatic as hell to watch.
I thought about that video during every traffic stop I witnessed during ridealongs. 4/
I thought about that video during every traffic stop I witnessed during ridealongs. 4/
When trying to teach cops to be vigilant, they'e being taught to be scared.
On top of this, current law & doctrine for police shootings has been summarized by @ScottGreenfield as the "reasonably scared cop rule." The law *incentivizes* officer fear. 5/ https://blog.simplejustice.us/2016/07/07/the-first-rule-of-policing-and-alton-sterling/
On top of this, current law & doctrine for police shootings has been summarized by @ScottGreenfield as the "reasonably scared cop rule." The law *incentivizes* officer fear. 5/ https://blog.simplejustice.us/2016/07/07/the-first-rule-of-policing-and-alton-sterling/
So, yes, in a very real sense we need better training for police officers. But it's not as simple as harping on "de-escalation" or providing alternatives to lethal force.
The fearful mindset of police officers is literally killing Americans. /fin
The fearful mindset of police officers is literally killing Americans. /fin
