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Comment on California sheriff releases bodycam video of killing of boy, 15, holding gardening tool

tygerprints@kbin.social ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

It is not possible to know when you are confronted with coming at you holding a tool in a threatening manner whether or not he's autistic or "having a mental health crisis." An officer cannot afford to sit and wait to see if the attacker strikes him in the skull first.

I'm not saying this couldn't have been handled better and it should have been - but I can understand how it happens. Taking a reasonable amount of risk has to be balanced with instantaneous assessment of whether this person who's on a rampage is about to strike you or a family member in a lethal way. This may not be the happiest outcome, but people need to stop instantly criticizing every move the police make.

If YOU were the officer standing there having to make a snap judgment, you very likely would do the same thing, even if you think you wouldn't.

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FfaerieOxide@kbin.social ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Why were the officers even there?

A nation whose only recourse to it citizenry having mental health crises is sending men to shoot them is a damned one.

Take some that change you're clanging 'round to buy local sheriffs F-18s and equip nurses and counselors with bearsuits and a living wage.

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PrinceWith999Enemies@lemmy.world ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Then why is the US the only country where this kind of thing happens so regularly that every time a story like this comes out, I have to wonder if it’s about a new one or the last one? Cops shot a guy in his backyard for holding a cell phone.

American police are on a literal hair trigger for lethal violence, especially against minorities, and most especially against African Americans. They are taught that their lives are in constant danger, and their use of force regulations are ridiculously loose. There’s even an entire training course for law enforcement called “killology.”

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Nudding@lemmy.world ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
It’s a good thing they have like 4 different “less lethal” methods to handle that sort of thing. Oh wait they just shoot you dead and get a paid vacation until everyone forgets. Great system.

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Lucidlethargy@sh.itjust.works ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
No, I would not do the same thing if I were an officer. I just feel like this needs to be said. Not everyone is seeking to preserve their own life at the expense of others.

I’m sick of cops acting like they are supposed to do this. It’s the opposite of why we pay them hazard pay.

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Hegar@kbin.social ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

standing there having to make a snap judgment, you very likely would do the same thing

If a police officer is as likely as me to freak out and fuck up in an emergency, they don't have the required training or character to do their job.

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