Peace officers who follow Robert Peel's principles would not have escalated to unnecessary force.
Government employee thugs, then as now, would ignore Robert Peel's principles when it suited their ends.
For those unfamiliar with Robert Peel's principles (and those who are ignoring their application to this case, let's review:
1. The basic mission for which the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder.
Whoops. A crime was committed. First failure.
2. The ability of the police to perform their duties is dependent upon the public approval of police actions.
This and other incidents decreases public approval of police actions. Second failure.
3. Police must secure the willing co-operation of the public in voluntary observation of the law to be able to secure and maintain the respect of the public.
This and other incidents fail to maintain the respect of the public. Third failure.
4. The degree of co-operation of the public that can be secured diminishes proportionately to the necessity of the use of physical force.
Physical force is unnecessary to talk to a man who must have things explained to him at a child's level. Fourth failure.
5. Police seek and preserve public favour not by catering to public opinion, but by constantly demonstrating absolute impartial service to the law.
There are clear laws against causing another man's death, against assault, and against using unnecessary force. Fifth failure.
6. Police use physical force to the extent necessary to secure observance of the law or to restore order only when the exercise of persuasion, advice, and warning is found to be insufficient.
Physical force used far beyond the extent necessary. Sixth failure.
7. Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent upon every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.
Failure to maintain this relationship. Seventh failure.
8. Police should always direct their action strictly towards their functions, and never appear to usurp the powers of the judiciary.
By ensuring his death, they effectively became this man's jury. Eighth failure.
9. The test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder, not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with it.
Pretending that this test is not in effect, and that the "visible evidence" is what counts. Ninth failure.
Robert Peel? Really? hahahahaha. How many cops do you think have a clue who Robert Peel was?
You can quote and tout every nice maxim and writing about police work that you care to, it all goes out the window when the rubber meets the road.
You can do everything by the Marquis of Queensbury’s rules and STILL be Dr. Evil in the newspapers. Been there, done that.
Dollars to donuts, IN THIS CASE, the cops will not be charged. But, people will believe what they want to believe.
If there were credible witnesses of police brutality the newspapers would be citing them, including from the home health aid that was accompanying this young man. They wouldn’t have to make up lines like: “smothered by police.”