Can’t argue against a great deal of it though. The police in the USA have largely turned militarized. In that circumstance, the LEO mindset changes, at least when there’s no cameras around. That’s why the police are so hot and bothered to gather up all civilian-recorded evidence of their actions and — gosh darnit — lose their own at the same time.
In this case, I have a difficult time of believing the police version of events — at least the story they’ve let dribble out ‘pending investigation’. I’m of course willing and waiting to hear their full account of their officers actions.
“The police in the USA have largely turned militarized.”
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I noticed that even before I last left the US in Jan. 2005.
Police were morphing from “To serve and protect” into “jack-booted thugs” shouting “Get on the ground...Get on the ground NOW.” Where did they learn this attitude? Movies and TV?
All of the movies with cop scenes that I see on cable seem to reflect this attitude.
Re: “The police in the USA have largely turned militarized. . .”
Agreed. They are not just shooting innocent black men, but all races of men - as well as anyone’s dog that happens to bark at them.
As you said, we don’t yet have all the info on this particular case, and, the writer of the article, as is typical of most black journalists, views everything through the prism of race, so “America is not for the black man, blah, blah blah. . .”
So, the writer is off base on that point, but police depts acquiring tanks, drones, military gear (Kevlar helmets, camo uniforms, etc)’ is definitely a visible and viable criticism. Add to that every governmental entity purchasing weapons and ammo up the wazoo, utilmately, all that gear is going to be used and the “soldier” rather than public servant attitude is going to take over.