WA Residents Shocked by Police Shootings
September 10, 2010
Left, Native wood carver John Williams killed Aug. 30 by King County (Seattle) Police
Do Cops Need to Use Lethal Force?
By Don
(for henrymakow.com)
As summer comes to a close here in Washington State, many citizens are disturbed at the recent wave of police shootings. In the last two weeks, there have been six people killed at the hands of police. Police shootings have happened before, but not so many in such as short space of time. I wonder if it is sign of difficult times and desperate people, or an attitude or policy change by law enforcement?
My father (deceased) was a police officer in Washington State years ago. He was a large man (typical for law enforcement then) - 6 foot 6 inches, and police in those days were expected to physically restrain and subdue people committing offenses or crimes if needed.
Use of lethal force was a last resort. Police officers were also expected to prevent crimes from happening rather than wait until they are committed and arrest someone. For example, if he observed an intoxicated person trying to get in their car to drive home from the bar, he would stop them from doing so and tell them to get a cab or even give them a ride, rather than let them get into an accident.
(left totems carved by Williams.)
Today, all that seems to have been changed. People are allowed to commit the offense and then are arrested. Also height and weight requirements have been relaxed in order not to discriminate against applicants, and as a result, many police officers are incapable of restraining or subduing an unruly or combative person without resorting to a taser or firearm. In fact, a small male or female officer may actually escalate a situation because they lack the intimidation factor.
I know what it's like to have a police pistol pointed at me. Thirty years ago, I worked as a bartender while going to college. After closing the club at 3 AM and getting in my car, I was pulled over in the parking lot and told to: "Freeze and put your hands where I can see them".
I yelled back "Don't shoot, I'm the bartender!". There had been a break-in at a nearby clinic and I was told I looked suspicious. Obviously no shots were fired, but I was shaken. Would the outcome have been the same today? I wonder?
I question whether all of these recent shootings warrant the use of lethal force. Could there have been other ways to subdue and apprehend these people? Seattle police protocol doesn't allow shots to a leg etc. They are trained to shoot to kill. Is this necessary?
Below is a list of the most recent shootings. The Seattle Times, KIRO TV, KING 5 TV, KOMO TV or NWCN.com can give more details and eyewitness accounts. Some of the eyewitness accounts differ greatly from the police reports, and the related blogs give a perspective of readers and residents.
It seems a disproportionate number of these shootings involved homeless and addicted people. Should these people have been on the streets in the first place?
(Left, Vigil for Williams)
Most disturbing to me was the death of John T. Williams, a Native American carver who was deaf, alcoholic and homeless. He was shot brandishing a 3-inch carving knife. Who knows what thoughts were going through his mind prior to his death?
Did he hear the police? I would guess he could have been easily subdued with pepper spray, or a net, or a baton. Instead he was shot and killed. He should have been in a hospital or treatment center in my opinion.
Don't get me wrong though - I support the use of lethal force by police when warranted, and other options are not realistic. Here are links to stories about some of the shootings:
74-Year-Old Pastor Shot by Police
Do Cops Need to Use Lethal Force?
By Don
(for henrymakow.com)
As summer comes to a close here in Washington State, many citizens are disturbed at the recent wave of police shootings. In the last two weeks, there have been six people killed at the hands of police. Police shootings have happened before, but not so many in such as short space of time. I wonder if it is sign of difficult times and desperate people, or an attitude or policy change by law enforcement?
My father (deceased) was a police officer in Washington State years ago. He was a large man (typical for law enforcement then) - 6 foot 6 inches, and police in those days were expected to physically restrain and subdue people committing offenses or crimes if needed.
Use of lethal force was a last resort. Police officers were also expected to prevent crimes from happening rather than wait until they are committed and arrest someone. For example, if he observed an intoxicated person trying to get in their car to drive home from the bar, he would stop them from doing so and tell them to get a cab or even give them a ride, rather than let them get into an accident.
(left totems carved by Williams.)
Today, all that seems to have been changed. People are allowed to commit the offense and then are arrested. Also height and weight requirements have been relaxed in order not to discriminate against applicants, and as a result, many police officers are incapable of restraining or subduing an unruly or combative person without resorting to a taser or firearm. In fact, a small male or female officer may actually escalate a situation because they lack the intimidation factor.
I know what it's like to have a police pistol pointed at me. Thirty years ago, I worked as a bartender while going to college. After closing the club at 3 AM and getting in my car, I was pulled over in the parking lot and told to: "Freeze and put your hands where I can see them".
I yelled back "Don't shoot, I'm the bartender!". There had been a break-in at a nearby clinic and I was told I looked suspicious. Obviously no shots were fired, but I was shaken. Would the outcome have been the same today? I wonder?
I question whether all of these recent shootings warrant the use of lethal force. Could there have been other ways to subdue and apprehend these people? Seattle police protocol doesn't allow shots to a leg etc. They are trained to shoot to kill. Is this necessary?
Below is a list of the most recent shootings. The Seattle Times, KIRO TV, KING 5 TV, KOMO TV or NWCN.com can give more details and eyewitness accounts. Some of the eyewitness accounts differ greatly from the police reports, and the related blogs give a perspective of readers and residents.
It seems a disproportionate number of these shootings involved homeless and addicted people. Should these people have been on the streets in the first place?
(Left, Vigil for Williams)
Most disturbing to me was the death of John T. Williams, a Native American carver who was deaf, alcoholic and homeless. He was shot brandishing a 3-inch carving knife. Who knows what thoughts were going through his mind prior to his death?
Did he hear the police? I would guess he could have been easily subdued with pepper spray, or a net, or a baton. Instead he was shot and killed. He should have been in a hospital or treatment center in my opinion.
Don't get me wrong though - I support the use of lethal force by police when warranted, and other options are not realistic. Here are links to stories about some of the shootings:
74-Year-Old Pastor Shot by Police
- Native community wants answers in police shooting of woodcarver
- Man dies after Pierce County deputies use taser on him
- Federal Way police shoot, kill Tacoma man
- Eyewitness has different perspective of Federal Way shooting
Bill said (September 11, 2010):
No matter how often I read these articles, I feel a chill up my spine. These are becoming more and more frequent, and I realize the establishment uses the media to "scare" us into submission, yet this trend is more troubling than ever. BTW TT is correct, most military, and police have never read the Constitution, the document they swear to uphold from enemies "without and within".
I have several friends who are currently or retired from "law enforcement", (whatever happened to Peace Officers) and they say quietly they fear the trend is going to continue. They themselves have seen the changes from within, and fear them. Many retired for reasons they don't wish to fully share with me, and I respect that, yet I wonder where we are headed. My greatest fear is when I see time after time the police cleared of all wrongdoing in a very short time. We need "civilian" review boards, not police review boards.
I also know there are instances when deadly force are necessary, sometimes the offender gives you no other choice, but in the case of a knife. . I taught self-defense for many years and the officers could have easily disarmed him, if properly trained.
Here in the States there's a move to completely "Federalize" police forces, and many officers desire to be considered "Feds" but it's a chilling prospect. There are still good cops out there, but their numbers are dwindling. It's not a good prospect for those of us who while respecting the "rule of law". Also respect life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.