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Last summer people were mad when the MPD officers were fired well before charges were brought. Today's testimony by the Chief underscores why the fast firings (even before charges) are a GOOD sign, not a bad one. (1/9)
Last summer people were mad when the MPD officers were fired well before charges were brought. Today's testimony by the Chief underscores why the fast firings (even before charges) are a GOOD sign, not a bad one. (1/9)
When an officer is fired almost immediately after a situation like the Floyd case, it means the department was able to determine very quickly that there is not even the slightest grey area suggesting the officer was justified in their actions. (2/9)
It clears the way for prosecution -- it's a much bigger mess when the department and the DAs office are at odds and the officer isn't fired til they are officially charged (or never charged because they can't make the case without dept cooperation) (3/9)
And MPD firing Chauvin and the others very quickly sent a clear signal to all prosecuting authorities that the dept didn't stand behind the officers (and generally the departments WILL if there's any wiggle room, at least at first)...(4/9)
And thus 1) you have senior MPD people like the homicide guy from last week and chief today testifying emphatically that Chauvin was not acting within department guidelines (5/9)
2) And no one can say, aww you just scapegoated him because of the riots and such, you stood behind him til you saw the cost and then you threw him to the wolves and pretend to support prosecution. (6/9)
Which is a narrative that can emerge when officers are not terminated soon after the incident or if there's a long fight about it, or they are only terminated after charges are brought/lawsuits filed. (7/9)
In other words, departments firing scumbag officers publicly very soon after they commit a crime is a good sign and not a reason to holler about "why are they only being fired and not arrested." (8/9)
The firing removes one source of ambiguity about the case and helps clear the way for the criminal charges. It speeds up the ability to bring charges and increases the chance for success at trial. (9/9)
