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I don’t agree with the diminished physical attribute requirement for this reason.

I also don’t agree with lowered physical capability standards.

They were there for a reason.

I’m not sure we want 325 pound 6’ 3” inch officers, but I get your point and I have sympathy for it.

I’m going to say that this guy could have been a fairly big problem for just about anyone.

No physical altercation is without risk. A finger can go in an eye, other things can happen. The officers should not have to deal with guys like this, but they do.

If it gets to the point where they have to take a guy like this down, in some instances some bad things are going to happen, no matter how careful you are.

Your foot can go out from under you when you don’t expect it, your head can hit the pavement, and an officer may not implement a hold properly.

I’ve never been in a physical altercation where things turned out exactly like I wanted. Even when prevailing, there’s a lot less satisfaction then you expect knowing you hurt someone else.

While we sit here at our keyboards and discuss this, officers across the nation are taking part in altercations on a moment’s notice, any one of which can be the end of their career.

They can lose the sight in an eye. They can have a leg bent backwards. They can have a severe arm, wrist, or hand injury. They can have a head injury. They can get shot with their own weapon. They may die.

If I see officers losing their tempers, and causing harm, I am a lot more inclined to assess evil intent. If I see them matter of factly taking a guy down, even what may appear to be violently, I’m not going to be as likely to assess evil. This was a normal take-down. These guy were not trying to hurt the man.

That officer standing right in front of him was talking to him. For a period of time.

When your weight hits the range this guy was in, physical altercations are a real risk. Sadly, he went for it.