Posted on 11/28/2014 12:30:57 PM PST by jazusamo
A California Democrat said a lesson in the wake of the Michael Brown shooting is a need to look at police acting as “jury and executioner” when confronting suspects.
Rep. Karen Bass, a House Judiciary Committee member, said in a statement after the grand jury opted to not issue an indictment this week that it “continues a trend of injustice that has rightfully created an environment of anger and concern in Ferguson, Missouri and across the United States.”
“Ferguson officials botched this case from the beginning when they left Michael Brown’s body on the street for over four hours after he was killed. They were mean-spirited when they leaked information to the media to assassinate Michael Brown’s character. The Ferguson Police Department violated the constitutional rights of the Ferguson community when they attacked and tear gassed lawful protesters,” Bass said, adding that the grand jury “attacked justice by not holding Officer Wilson accountable for his actions.”
The congresswoman added she would “continue to insist that the United States Department of Justice conduct its own investigation to determine if the Ferguson police violated Michael Brown’s civil rights.”
On CNN, Bass stressed “we have to do a short-term and a long-term strategy, and we really need to begin to come to grips with this in our country, because you can go down a long list of these cases.”
“You can rattle off these instances, and one of the most important thing that I think people need to do who are not African- American, who are not Latino, is need to just take a deep breath for one minute and say maybe I don’t understand. Maybe there’s something going on here that I need to look at, because you know, all of the polling shows the sharp divide,” she said.
“…And Ferguson, they most definitely need to diversify the leadership of that city, the police department, the city council, and so we need to look at things both in the short-term and the long-term.”
Bass addressed Brown taking cigarillos from a convenience store before the attack.
“Since when do we not have trials? Since when do we execute people?” she said. “I mean, the way that the information was leaked from Day One of this case, intentionally leaking the information about the video. It’s terrible if he committed a crime before this happened, but even if he did commit a crime, is a police officer supposed to be the jury and the executioner on the spot? So, you know, it’s that kind of mentality that we really need to begin to look at.”
Bass also pushed back against criticism of the media exposure of the Brown shooting and protests.
“If you think about the Civil Rights Movement, if you think about the Rodney King beating, if it wasn’t for the media showing those images to the world, you know, there’s no telling how much longer these situations would go on.”
Absolutely, but sadly intelligence is not a priority in many districts like hers.
bttt
Translation: Is the government Supposed to Be the Jury and the Executioner?
Thanks, I agree. It’s a real mess.
California Dem: ‘Is a Police Officer Supposed to Be the Jury and the Executioner?’
Well yes once some punk criminal decides to make you that person!
Hey Rep. Karen Bass, you dumb ass.
Next time you are the victim of whatever crime call an occupy fruitcake. Maybe they will be able to assist you to your liking. Maybe keep you safe and sound.
you dumb ass.
Actually, we want them keeping their mouths open and spewing their vomit. That way we know where they are and what is really on their minds.
That sums her up precisely. :)
Does anybody know how long it is usual to leave a body in place for gathering evidence? Obviously you don't want to move it until that's been done, but what's the norm?
I've seen lots of criticism of them leaving the body there for 4 hours, but none at all stating why this was unusual.
I don’t know but would guess it’s up to crime scene investigators and top brass, like you I haven’t seen any comments other than those criticizing it.
When I was growing up, there was a bumper sticker that was popular within the law enforcement community: “next time you need help call a hippie”.
No, of course not! The white cop should have tooken his beat down! It just be a lil beat down, holms. Yeah, mebbee he lose his gun, but oh well right? Dat gun was WHITE PRIVILEGE.
I’d bet that’s the way Karen views it being that white cop’s rasis.
Ask her bodyguard at what range they will shoot a 300# enraged man charging her? Let him tackle her, and ask what is his intention? Call him a lawyer, lest he incriminate himself? Please. Her bodyguards are trained as everybody is on the Tueller drill.
Anybody from 21’ and closer can bum-rush a cop before the cop can draw and shoot. The point is drilled in: Shoot the Charging Bull. Getting stabbed (usually) or just tackled and disarmed is not part of a cop’s training. “It’s worth being tackled to discuss more closely what issues are troubling you, my son? Perhaps I can put you in contact with the proper social service agencies?”
To hell they will. Charging bull inside 21’? Shoot to kill. Or be killed.
You’re right on the mark, the decision to shoot is made in a split second but that’s beyond this idiots comprehension.
Join the police force! Serve and protect! Just remember, if anyone comes after you, DO NOT DEFEND YOURSELF. JUST LET THEM KILL YOU.
I think you’ve discovered all the secrets of the universe! That there is a good post!
Like the cop could know if this 6’4” 290# male, high as hell, was 18 or 38. In that time frame.
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