My problem with your attitude is: the police can't tell the difference between an autistic person and a neurotypical person, nor can they tell if someone's father just died or if they're schizophrenic. What might be perceived as "taking the piss" could be someone being a cunt to cops for no reason... or, more likely, it could be a sign that there is an underlying issue.
Well. I put it to you that it's a judgment call under abnormal circumstances. Assuming there's an underlying issue: at what point does that get addressed and how long should it take before a course of action is decided upon? How is an officer to know, at that point in time, exactly what's going on especially when you're dealing with somebody as fit and as well built as Mr. Floyd?
It depends on how far you want to analyze this by examining just the other incidents that have been posted on here as reference points.
I posted a while back on this thread about my experiences being assaulted by Australian police officers. Don't know if you read it. To recap: I always felt guilty about it and felt like I deserved it to some extent because I was a fucking mess at the time and I wasn't being particularly co-operative or respectful.
Of course I read it. Truth and full disclosure: I wanted to ask but because it was you involved I didn't (what can I say: I have a small heart and tend to be protective over those close to me even when they talk shit)!
But you've answered the question now (as indicated in bold above).
I'm not saying that you should feel guilty about it. But at face value: you were not simply standing around minding your own business or sitting on the pavement having a cigarette and surveying the scenery about you?
In your case: excessive force used? Dunno. I wasn't there. Ask the officers involved for their body cams and I'll make that judgment!
Being a police officer is a hard job. You can't justify killing a man because they're being an asshole any more than a man can justify beating his wife because she's being a bitch. Death isn't a reasonable punishment for disobedience or disorderly conduct.
Nah, nah, nah. This one isn't going to fly with me.
You're not putting yourself in the position of the officers concerned. Even under perfect circumstances i.e. no rioting and looting and racial discourse as the backdrop.
Some random dude is being an asshole (love how the fucking spell check accepts that word) and behaving erratically. Maybe that's all there is to it (under the influence for example and nothing more). But how is the officer supposed to know that? How is the officer supposed to know that the next erratic action isn't going to be the suspect pulling out a firearm? Or that the suspect isn't going to get back into his car (as happened in this latest case) and use the car to ram the officers? Or that the suspect isn't going to drive off and ram into somebody else?
Case in point: that army lieutenant now suing the Virginia PD. It's a good example because there was no erratic behavior involved. But look at how it all went down? The MEDIA saw the temporary plate after the fact. But in the dark and with tinted windows: those officers couldn't have seen the temporary plate. All they saw was a vehicle, driving slow, and with no plates. Ordered the dude to get out of his vehicle. He wouldn't budge. After how many "polite" requests? And still refused even when the officer had a gun right at his head (just about). And the officer knew at that point that he was a REAL lieutenant (those uniforms can be bought anywhere)? And the officer knew at that point that the dude didn't have a weapon lying right between his thighs and that could be his next move? Nah. That dude is just lucky he only got peppered sprayed. And I mean REAL fucking lucky. Personal opinion is that his only saving grace was that it appears that the officer was older and probably had a lot more experience in dealing with these matters. Also: different state, different climate, different backdrop, who knows.
'm not surprised. People don't change overnight. You're on the path to change, I think, but there is always a dance. Two steps forward. One step back. Kind of like how people break up - then get back together - and break up again.
Yeah well. Maybe you're right. Not reversed my newfound racial understanding nor my understanding and acceptance on certain issues when it comes sexual identity (but which doesn't go as far as YOUR wearing fishnet stockings I'm afraid!
). But don't get me started on global politics. My newfound understanding of, or insight into, global politics will make me very unpopular here.
Yeah. I love you too!
I'm guessing: nope! This said: would I give an American cop shit? Hell no. Certainly not AFTER I'm ALREADY in custody that's for damn sure. MAYBE (with a capital "M") with a decent car and well under the influence I'd act like an idiot and try outrun them. Then again: probably not i.e. been in that situation more than once here and the thought never even crossed my mind. "Oh fuck" is all that crossed my mind on said occasions! 