US Police Shoot Unarmed Man With His Hands Up

[ZX10R NIN]

Jimbeaux said:

Excuse my not understanding, but what is Met police? London metropolitan?

Yes that's correct the Metropolitan Police is London.

[Glasgowrob]

This documentary sums up us policing pretty much

http://youtu.be/qbQDRbZCIZc

[B'stard Child]

ZX10R NIN said:

Jimbeaux said:

Excuse my not understanding, but what is Met police? London metropolitan?

Yes that's correct the Metropolitan Police is London.

Outside of the "City" - They have their own police force

[rxtx]

Jimbeaux said:

Thanks Astacus. rxtx, please note that I began by stating that one is too many. That said, I tried to bring relative perspective to the number of daily interactions by police compared to shootings. They are minuscule by percentage. It was in no way saying it was "OK", just a perspective. Take a breath.

One is too many, yes, and that's more than enough. Whether that percentage is tiny is irrelevant.

With respect, you do not speak for the US, nor do you represent the US viewpoint.

[rscott]

The police are now claiming they shot the wrong person by accident - there were indeed attempting to shoot the truck wielder, despite the statements that he didn't have a gun.

https://photographyisnotacrime.com/2016/07/21/nort...

(Yes, that site does have a political agenda, but the video of the press conference backs up their article)

[ZX10R NIN]

These two clips sum up why there is the disconnect in the US at the moment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Vr1cnFu5VM&in...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJHJwTP40Ok&in...

Found these by accident but I found it an informed level headed perspective.

[Colonial]

It is 100% indefensible. Now I will spend the next 3 paragraphs defending it.

[rxtx]

rscott said:

The police are now claiming they shot the wrong person by accident - there were indeed attempting to shoot the truck wielder, despite the statements that he didn't have a gun.

https://photographyisnotacrime.com/2016/07/21/nort...

(Yes, that site does have a political agenda, but the video of the press conference backs up their article)

What a bloody farce. Quite literally.

[jdw100]

Does make you appreciate our police a bit more. At least, on the whole, you can have a good laugh with them.

I've been pulled by the police three times in the USA, every time for having the temerity to walk or cross a road.

Really serious and intimidating and one was really pissed off I had no ID - although he did accept a credit card in the end (not as payment, just ID). They address you as Sir in a way which makes it sound like they mean the opposite.

I'm a friendly chap but they reacted in very humourless ways. Got told off for walking over to one of them "STOP!"

One of those CHiPs guys (exactly like off the telly) was utterly baffled by the fact I lived (at the time) in Wales. In the end he gave up, delivered a stern warning about crossing a road that was empty and straight for half a mile in each direction on a Sunday morning.....

Another got tied up in a loop with why I walking to a shop 500m from my hotel. Why didn't I have a car, I should have got hotel to order a taxi. Really angry chap. I fancied a walk mate... Why?? I just like to walk, why would I drive less than 500m...you should have driven....but I fancied a walk....next time drive.....but I like to walk....etc etc. He was very intense and shouty!

Funnily enough my ex had the same in Carolina - could see some shops from her hotel window so walked across the grounds and was crossing a road to get to them when stopped by Police baffled that she would want to walk to the shops. (Had no car as a collegue had picked her up from airport and was picking up from hotel in the morning).

My wife is from Indonesia and here the police are corrupt and a law unto themselves.

She was so surprised with our interactions with Police in London on a visit last year. Having a nice chat and a really good laugh with a mounted officer near Buckingham Palace, we got chatting to a couple at St Pancras as well and ended up with her in photos with them all being silly with sunglasses... Genuinely surprised you could just talk to them "like normal people".

[Guybrush]

Does anyone know what are the entrance requirements for the American police. I am beginning to think some of them are of very low intelligence.

[jdw100]

Guybrush said:

Does anyone know what are the entrance requirements for the American police. I am beginning to think some of them are of very low intelligence.

Be a United States citizen (waived in certain agencies if the applicant is a lawful resident).
Must have a high school diploma or a GED and if necessary a college degree or served in the United States military without a dishonorable discharge;
Be in good medical, physical, and psychological condition;
Maintain a clean criminal record without either serious or repeated misdemeanor or any felony convictions;
Must have a valid driver's license with a clean driving record and that is not currently or has a history of being suspended or revoked;
Be of high moral character;
Not have a history of prior narcotic or repeated marijuana use or alcoholism;
Not have a history of ethical, professional, prior employment, motor vehicle, educational, or financial improprieties;
Not have a history of domestic violence or mental illness;
Not to pose a safety and security risk;
Be legally eligible to own and carry a firearm.

[carinaman]

How much income does Miami and Florida make from tourism?

Shooting the disabled whether by negligent discharge or not isn't the best of moves.

So there's an outpouring of love for the LGBT community after the Orlando shooting but their grasp of 'difference' doesn't stretch as far as thinking someone may be a bit disabled, deaf or mentally impaired?

Surely the thought process is 'Why isn't this person responding or complying with my commands?' before shooting them?

So the officers had assault rifles but no Pepper Spray or Tasers?

It's not as though British police aren't immune to Weapons Grade stupidity:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/mar/26/po...


I've not watched this yet, but saw the video taken by a bystander:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp...

Were there three officers pointing guns at him? No Pepper Spray or Tasers were available?

One of them Pepper Sprays or Tasers him while the others continue to point guns at him in case he can pull a rifle out of his jeans while walking towards them?

Non compliance with an order is enough to warrant being shot multiple times?

So all police officers were perfect little angels all the way through their adolescence and all their teenage kids are saints that never have hissy fits and tantrums?

Edited by carinaman on Friday 22 July 07:50

[Dog Star]

jdw100 said:

Another got tied up in a loop with why I walking to a shop 500m from my hotel. Why didn't I have a car, I should have got hotel to order a taxi. Really angry chap. I fancied a walk mate... Why?? I just like to walk, why would I drive less than 500m...you should have driven....but I fancied a walk....next time drive.....but I like to walk....etc etc. He was very intense and shouty!

A mate of mine lives in New Jersey and has had the same interrogation as he was walking back from the pub; officer just couldn't get his head around the fact that someone would WALK and he was told to drive. So he now just drink drives (I know, I've been with him) which appears to be the socially accepted norm.

[scherzkeks]

Jimbeaux said:

scherzkeks said:

Same as it ever was, but the victims have smartphones now.

This cop is wrong and will be done up for this. That was a guy who does not need to be a cop.

As to the comments about cops in general; 99.9% of them are fantastic folks that face things you "over there" would cringe at. Sorry, no offense intended, just true. An apt comment about mobile phones; everyone does have them, they are provided for free by Uncle Sam if one cannot afford one.

With that in mind, why is it when there is black on black crime, (93% of black homicides are by other blacks-U.S. Dept. of Justice).(Blacks are 13% of the population but account for 52% of the homicides-U.S. Dept. of Justice). Where are all of the phone videos of these events? Why are the relatively miniscule % of cop on citizen shootings the only ones captured? Just a thought.

I'm American, and know the reality all too well. And I know where you will attempt to take this discussion, so it is a waste of time for both of us.

-- Also, just a note: the only reason there is any chance the cop might be "done up" for this is because it was captured on video. And I see they are already peddling the bullst.

[jdw100]

Dog Star said:

A mate of mine lives in New Jersey and has had the same interrogation as he was walking back from the pub; officer just couldn't get his head around the fact that someone would WALK and he was told to drive. So he now just drink drives (I know, I've been with him) which appears to be the socially accepted norm.

Bonkers! Walking bad, drink driving good then.

I do remember asking angry cop if it was a dangerous area - apparently it wasn't.

We were just stuck going round in a loop, if I hadn't said something along the lines of 'okay then old chap I'll be sure to drive next time then' we'd still be there today! I never did get to the bottom of why it was wrong to walk - just that I should drive.

A very angry young man!

[stitched]

Jimbeaux said:

rxtx said:

Jimbeaux said:

One is too many; however, using pure percentages to overall interactions, what constitutes "alot"?

I've read of too many people being shot by police for no reason over the past couple of weeks. That's "a lot" to me.

You don't have to jump on every thread that mentions the US you know, you aren't their spokesperson and we aren't stupid enough to think it's every American/policeman/woman.

Well, seeing as you guys seem to obsess on US events so often, I thought it would be nice for you to have US perspective.

I'm sorry but this is well out of order, does the fact I comment on threads regarding th UK mean that I am attempting to be a UK ambassador?
Jim has been posting sensible and well informed posts on here since well before I joined, he has a better perspective on events in the USA than most of us and personally I welcome his input.
What is your stance exactly? Should he refrain from posting on threads which touch on the states as he is biased? Will you refrain from posting on topics you feel strongly about?
Rant over, Jim please carry on as you have been.

[London424]

Jim the Sunderer said:

fblm said:

Leaving aside the obvious question of WTF? The cop really fired 3 shots with a rifle at a stationary target and hit him once in the leg? How far away was he?

I think someone has pointed it out already...but the cop was actually aiming for the other guy!

[Lucas CAV]

jdw100 said:

Does make you appreciate our police a bit more. At least, on the whole, you can have a good laugh with them.

I've been pulled by the police three times in the USA, every time for having the temerity to walk or cross a road.

Really serious and intimidating and one was really pissed off I had no ID - although he did accept a credit card in the end (not as payment, just ID). They address you as Sir in a way which makes it sound like they mean the opposite.

I'm a friendly chap but they reacted in very humourless ways. Got told off for walking over to one of them "STOP!"

One of those CHiPs guys (exactly like off the telly) was utterly baffled by the fact I lived (at the time) in Wales. In the end he gave up, delivered a stern warning about crossing a road that was empty and straight for half a mile in each direction on a Sunday morning.....

Another got tied up in a loop with why I walking to a shop 500m from my hotel. Why didn't I have a car, I should have got hotel to order a taxi. Really angry chap. I fancied a walk mate... Why?? I just like to walk, why would I drive less than 500m...you should have driven....but I fancied a walk....next time drive.....but I like to walk....etc etc. He was very intense and shouty!

Funnily enough my ex had the same in Carolina - could see some shops from her hotel window so walked across the grounds and was crossing a road to get to them when stopped by Police baffled that she would want to walk to the shops. (Had no car as a collegue had picked her up from airport and was picking up from hotel in the morning).

My wife is from Indonesia and here the police are corrupt and a law unto themselves.

She was so surprised with our interactions with Police in London on a visit last year. Having a nice chat and a really good laugh with a mounted officer near Buckingham Palace, we got chatting to a couple at St Pancras as well and ended up with her in photos with them all being silly with sunglasses... Genuinely surprised you could just talk to them "like normal people".

Forgive my ignorance but why can you not cross a road in the USA?

[anonymous-user]

ZX10R NIN said:

Having been to America on numerous occasions with family living over there, I have found the police to be combative & openly prejudiced but that changes when they hear my English accent I've then been treated like a normal human being.

It's not just the shootings that are the problem it's the treatment & manner in which they do their job, may I add that not all police are the same but the majority I've come across have been overly aggressive especially if you question them as to why you're being stopped.

To add perspective I've suffered worse abuse of power by Met police than I have when in the USA.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI0WSUtsVWU

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Friday 22 July 00:50

Genuine, unloaded question: Are you black (or, non-white)? If so, it's interesting that your accent will change how the police treat you.

[FredClogs]

Lucas CAV said:

Forgive my ignorance but why can you not cross a road in the USA?

Its J Walking, whatever that means.

You have to accept that culturally the US is very different, its like the film Wall-E but not in space and with less robots but more guns.