“Would we be better served if there were no police?”
Did I say that? No, you are projecting.
“I don’t think Officer Cassidy expected to get shot in the head as he walked into the store.”
Obviously a tragedy for him and his family. What does this have to do with this traffic stop? Should police taser, clubm or shoot everyone they detain or come in contact with just in case?
“Now, as for my take on what happened with this stop- I think the cop could have handled the matter a whole heck of a lot better. Tasing the driver was extreme and, at the point it occured, unnecessary.”
Agreed
“Still, I don’t hold much sympathy for the driver. While it is obvious that the mean streets of Utah are a lot different than Philly,”
The few times I’ve been stopped I’ve always been respectful. The only time I haven’t been completely respectful was when it took the local police 5 tries to get a good finger print for my CCW license. Keep in mind thats 4 separate trips to the Sheriffs office. The driver was out of line but I also get perturbed when I encounter speed traps. IMO, thats what this sounds like.
“The cop doesn’t know me from Adam or from a donut store robber for that matter.”
The cop should be above it all. There are numerous other examples where the drivers are even worse than this guy and yet the cop handled it well. From my point of view he let his ego cloud his judgement and he allowed the situation to escalate. Just because tazers exist doesn’t mean they are the proper tool for every situation.
Did I say that? No, you are projecting.
No, you didn't say that. I was just thinking what it would be like if most or all cops chose to quit at once. Unfortunately some people become cops for the perceived power they gain over the citizenry. But there are others that are cops because of some sense of civic duty. They could quit, but they choose to continue. I have a lot of respect for that kind of person.
Dinner bell just rang. Thank you for bearing with me. :)