[SeekAndFind]

To return to the Republic article, shouldn't we be surprised if police did not use force more often on blacks? They're committing way more than their share of violent crime! In addition, there is what the intelligentsia love to call "nuance" or "context." For instance, did the person being apprehended put his hand in his pocket? Reach under the seat? Strike the officer? Lunge for his Taser or gun? All these things materially affect the outcome of the encounter.

[Altura Ct.]

The article makes no mention at all of the percentage of serious crimes committed by different races or ethnic groups.

Indeed.

[Bishop_Malachi]

Let’s just take arguments like this to their logical conclusion.

Should military personnel be scrutinized in every particular conflict to use “proportional force” against enemy combatants?

I mean why did that sniper just kill that guy from 1000 yards away? The guy might have surrendered to you if you just asked?

[jdsteel]

The whole argument is ridiculous. “Systemic” racism requires the SYSTEM (laws) to be “racist”. Find me one.

Regarding police violence the statistical data is only of interest after the fact. At the time of police action the sample is 100% of the current offender, just like flipping a coin always has 50-50 odds for that flip.

[ctdonath2]

Proportional is for games.
Overwhelming is for survival.

[aquila48]

That’s the whole point of police force, that it can overpower anyone in any situation.

That’s why it’s called “force majeure” - the greater force.

When police come across a criminal you don’t want the criminal to have an even chance with the police, you want the criminal to know that he doesn’t stand a chance and better not resist. A judge and a jury will determine what happens next.

[Gen.Blather]

Several years ago i read an FBI study that concluded black officers were far more likely to use lethal force against a black male suspect than white officers. There were several reasons. Black cops perceived far more danger from a black suspect than white officers did. White officers believed shooting a black suspect would end their career. I have searched several times to locate and link to this study and can’t even find a reference to similar findings.

[Mr. K]

What do they want - a ‘fair fight’ with criminals?

[plain talk]

[Little Ray]

“Disproportionate” is a ridiculous measure.
The question should be did the police use “Enough” force.
IF the rioters are back out there night after night, then it is obvious that Enough force was not used.

[discostu]

I’m a lot more concerned with the OTHER kind of disproportionate use of force. Like the Phoenix PD having their guns drawn from the minute they get out of their car to respond to a disturbance call, then shooting a guy who was kneeling on the ground in the back.

[Celerity]

Fights are always disproportionate.

Rarely do I go toe-to-toe with 5’6” 150 lb network engineers.