A lot of cops are fine. Probably the vast majority of them. We shouldn’t defund them. We need them to protect us from criminals, drunk drivers, coyotes and biting dogs, etc. Furthermore, the work they do — when done properly — is difficult and sometimes hazardous, so we should show[...]
Posts Tagged ‘Police Brutality’
May 1st, 2021 - 1:30 pm § in Law and Courts, Racism
How Chauvin was convicted of murder, and thoughts on police reform
Minnesota is the only state where Derek Chauvin could have been convicted of “murder,” under the legal definition of the term. That’s the state in which he chose to live, work as a cop, and kill George Floyd. (Gong!) The Hill explains (here), “Many homicides – during robber[...]
46% of Republicans reject Chauvin verdict
While 75% of Americans believe the jury was right to convict Derek Chauvin of murder for George Floyd’s death, 46% of Republicans disagree, according to a CBS News poll published on Sunday, April 25, 2021 (read story and see detailed poll findings here). Not surprisingly, opinions broke sharpl[...]
April 22nd, 2021 - 2:30 pm § in Law and Courts
Chauvin juror says pulmonary expert was key witness
“An alternate juror in Derek Chauvin’s trial told reporters Thursday that Dr. Martin Tobin, the soft-spoken doctor who explained how George Floyd died, convinced her of the former police officer’s guilt,” CNN reported on April 22, 2021 (read story here). Lisa [...]
April 22nd, 2021 - 1:05 pm § in Law and Courts, Racism
Did the cop really have to kill Ma’Khia Bryant?
“Did Ma’Khia Bryant need to die yesterday?” Columbus, Ohio, mayor Andrew Ginther, who is white, asked about the police shooting on April 21, 2021, of a black teenager about to stab another teen with a knife. Both the teens were black girls. The cop who shot Bryant 4 times is white.[...]
How to reform police
More selective hiring, better training and supervision, for starters. And weeding out bad cops. Former Missouri State Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson told CNBC, “I think we need to look at the whole system. Create a network where bad officers, if they’re put in this network, they can’t conti[...]
April 17th, 2021 - 11:09 pm § in Law and Courts
Police “punch and kick” man suffering seizure
A black man walking his autistic grandson to school was violently assaulted by police in Minden, Louisiana, on Thursday, April 15, 2021, according to a Shreveport TV station (read story here and here). A bystander recorded the incident (click on links to see the video). His family claims Robby Baile[...]
April 17th, 2021 - 10:39 pm § in Law and Courts
America’s worst police department?
On June 26, 2020, a Loveland, Colorado cop violently arrested a frail, elderly, confused woman, breaking her bones (first video below). Karen Garner, 73, who suffers from dementia, had wandered away from her family to a nearby Walmart store, picked up $13.88 of merchandise, and walked out. Store emp[...]
April 16th, 2021 - 6:32 pm § in Racism
Black education
I need to drive my two-year-old to daycare tomorrow morning. To ensure we arrive alive, we won’t take public transit (Oscar Grant). I removed all air fresheners from the vehicle and double-checked my registration status (Daunte Wright), and ensured my license plates were visible (Lt. Caron Nazario[...]