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People should stop saying how many people police kill each year. Or, if you want to throw out a number, preface it with “at least” because, the truth is, no one knows.
What’s crazier is how many AREN’T counted
(A thread)
Take Breonna Taylor, for instance.
What’s crazier is how many AREN’T counted
(A thread)
Take Breonna Taylor, for instance.
The incident report lists her injuries as “none” and...
Actually, that’s it. If it didn’t happen in a city like Louisville, that’s all we know. One of the most understood stories is how often police lie on police reports and MOST media outlets will relay these reports as fact
Actually, that’s it. If it didn’t happen in a city like Louisville, that’s all we know. One of the most understood stories is how often police lie on police reports and MOST media outlets will relay these reports as fact
What does this have to do with statistics?
Well, almost all the stats you hear about police killings come from media reports, which come directly from police reports, which always contain lies.
For instance , Dijon Kizzee reportedly “dropped a bundle that contained a gun”
Well, almost all the stats you hear about police killings come from media reports, which come directly from police reports, which always contain lies.
For instance , Dijon Kizzee reportedly “dropped a bundle that contained a gun”
This was before police shot him. But he would have gone down as an “armed” in the language of police reports.
And that’s how he would’ve counted in police killings.
Rayshard Brooks was running away with a spent Taser...
He was technically “armed”
And that’s how he would’ve counted in police killings.
Rayshard Brooks was running away with a spent Taser...
He was technically “armed”
In some states, like Ala, not only would Breonna not have been counted, but her BF could’ve been charged with her murder
That happened to 16-year-old LaKeith Smith currently serving 25 yrs for the murder of his friend...
Who police killed https://www.theroot.com/alabama-teen-gets-65-years-for-death-of-friend-killed-b-1825071334">https://www.theroot.com/alabama-t...
That happened to 16-year-old LaKeith Smith currently serving 25 yrs for the murder of his friend...
Who police killed https://www.theroot.com/alabama-teen-gets-65-years-for-death-of-friend-killed-b-1825071334">https://www.theroot.com/alabama-t...
George Floyd wouldn’t have been counted at all
Why?
Because police didn’t shoot him
Most of the stats you read are for people who are SHOT AND KILLED by on-duty officers
So people like 12-yr old Akeelah Jackson, who was run down by a police officer as she walked to the store
Why?
Because police didn’t shoot him
Most of the stats you read are for people who are SHOT AND KILLED by on-duty officers
So people like 12-yr old Akeelah Jackson, who was run down by a police officer as she walked to the store
Which means Jacobi Blake doesn’t count because he lived, because police also don’t have to report how many people they shoot.
Like Davonte Weatherford. The Memphis Police Dept. wouldn’t release the bodycam footage after shooting him in the back. https://www.theroot.com/cops-shot-davonte-weatherford-but-wouldnt-release-the-b-1830849561">https://www.theroot.com/cops-shot...
Like Davonte Weatherford. The Memphis Police Dept. wouldn’t release the bodycam footage after shooting him in the back. https://www.theroot.com/cops-shot-davonte-weatherford-but-wouldnt-release-the-b-1830849561">https://www.theroot.com/cops-shot...
And these counts only include ON DUTY cops.
So, when you quote last year’s stats, the number doesn’t include Botham Jean, because Amber Guyger was off duty.
Like Johnathan Liddell who was shot in the head at Walmart because of a traffic dispute https://www.onlineathens.com/news/20190226/no-charges-for-off-duty-ice-officer-in-fatal-shooting">https://www.onlineathens.com/news/2019...
So, when you quote last year’s stats, the number doesn’t include Botham Jean, because Amber Guyger was off duty.
Like Johnathan Liddell who was shot in the head at Walmart because of a traffic dispute https://www.onlineathens.com/news/20190226/no-charges-for-off-duty-ice-officer-in-fatal-shooting">https://www.onlineathens.com/news/2019...
But he was shot by an off-duty officer, OL Jones, so he doesn’t count.
Oh, which brings me to another point:
We only count a certain kind of police officers.
Most stats don’t include federal agents, people who die in ICE custody, or corrections officers
So Sandra Bland?
Nope
Oh, which brings me to another point:
We only count a certain kind of police officers.
Most stats don’t include federal agents, people who die in ICE custody, or corrections officers
So Sandra Bland?
Nope
Also, remember, only shootings count.
I always like to point out that one of the weirdest categories of police deaths is ‘Fell from a height’
Y’all have no idea of people who just fall off buildings in police custody or pursuit
People who die “in the devil’s chair” don’t count
I always like to point out that one of the weirdest categories of police deaths is ‘Fell from a height’
Y’all have no idea of people who just fall off buildings in police custody or pursuit
People who die “in the devil’s chair” don’t count
What’s that?
In almost every city & county jail, there is a restraint charge where they strap prisoners down and put a hood on their head.
So when officers found David Yearby in a restraint chair with a broken neck, he didn’t count. https://www.nj.com/middlesex/2016/11/nurses_again_face_lawsuit_in_inmates_death_judge_q.html">https://www.nj.com/middlesex...
In almost every city & county jail, there is a restraint charge where they strap prisoners down and put a hood on their head.
So when officers found David Yearby in a restraint chair with a broken neck, he didn’t count. https://www.nj.com/middlesex/2016/11/nurses_again_face_lawsuit_in_inmates_death_judge_q.html">https://www.nj.com/middlesex...
Daniel Prude didn’t count either. Police kneeled on him and the coroner says he died of asphyxiation but he hung on for seven days, so it’s technically. It a police killing.
Plus, they held on to the incident footage, and it happened last year, so
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤷🏾" title="Person shrugging (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Person shrugging (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)">
Plus, they held on to the incident footage, and it happened last year, so
All these numbers come from media accounts and NONE OF THESE the incidents are accurately reflected in the police reports
But 1 day in the future, someone will point to 2020 and say: “Remember when police killed ___ people in 2020?”
And you’ll squint, look toward the sky & say:
But 1 day in the future, someone will point to 2020 and say: “Remember when police killed ___ people in 2020?”
And you’ll squint, look toward the sky & say:
‘Yeah, that was when they Breonna, George, Daniel, and Rayshard...”
Nope. You don’t know shit.
To be fair, neither do I.
Nope. You don’t know shit.
To be fair, neither do I.
