SFPD release bodycam video of man they say was armed, being shot and killed by officers
San Francisco police are offering new details about a shooting last month when officers opened fire on a man they say was armed and killed him.
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Here's an example of San Francisco PD doing exactly what they should do. While placing a man under arrest...a man who was nearby demands the police release the man, shows them he's armed in a threatening manner, and despite multiple warnings and commands from the police, he pulls his gun and points it at the police before they fire on him and kill him.
A sad and tragic incident to be sure...but luckily the police did everything right and were 100% justified in shooting.
Here's the reaction from the community and family of the deceased criminal (Yes, criminal...because impeding an arrest is a crime, pointing a gun at police is a crime, I see no need to posthumously convict the man but his crimes are rather clear and on camera).
Family of San Francisco man killed by police calls for peace as body cam footage released
In San Francisco, the Bayview community mourned the loss of one of their own. Neighbors and relatives of a man shot and killed by police said they wished officers used de-escalation tactics before opening fire on Ryant Bluford late last month.
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"Relatives and neighbors of Ryant Bluford said they wished officers used de-escalation tactics before opening fire and killing him last month. They gathered to remember Bluford Friday night at the intersection of Catalina and Fairfax, the location of the deadly shooting."
"We do not condone violence.," said Bluford's cousin Charlesettta Earl. "We are a peaceful family. Unfortunately, the circumstances did happen. But as you know, police make mistakes as well and so do human beings."
Those who gathered Friday night said they have not seen the police body cam footage. They said Bluford had been struggling with the loss of his mother to cancer late last year, and they wished police used tactics other than deadly force.
"I really want to learn what de-escalation strategies they employ," said Bluford's cousin L'oreal Ealr, "Out of all of those police officers, I wish one of them would have taken the time to say hey, let's talk."
I can certainly understand why the family wishes things turned out differently. They lost a loved one after all. The problem here is twofold though...
1. "Out of all of those police officers, I wish one of them would have taken the time to say hey, let's talk."
This is the wrong default take. It's starting from the position that the police did something wrong. The police aren't going to wait while you decided whether or not to shoot them. There's lots of possible ways this could have turned out better, for example....
-not trying to prevent the police from doing their job
-not flashing your gun threateningly at police
-not pulling your gun on police and aiming at them
-obeying their orders.
Problem #2...
"But as you know, police make mistakes as well and so do human beings."
The implied even perhaps unintended view expressed here is that police aren't human beings, and they may have made a mistake.
These ideas are more prevalent now, both explicitly and implicitly and there's very little pushback against either. Why would anyone want to work a dangerous and difficult job where people view you as subhuman, always at fault, scrutinize your job even when done perfectly, and you aren't worthy of self defense even if a gun is pointing at you? Nobody smart, and very few people who are good. The damage done to police can't even be undone with money at this point. Perhaps microphones shouldn't be shoved in the faces of grieving people by reporters....or if they are, these opinions are edited out or, lastly highly derided for how bad they are. Without supporting police who do their job correctly.....no one will want to do the job.
Thoughts?