Cops acquited after shooting of Sean Bell

Originally posted by Schecter
imho they were incompetent retards who put the lives of everyone within a bullet's flight radius in danger...50 times.

i feel that ALL police officers should be trained in firearms at the level of swat team.

I agree. More training AND continued training should be given to local law enforcement on proper firearm usage...depending on the municipality.

I'm with Schecter. The cops were dumbshits who really have no place being police officers; especially if their response to a situation like this is to empty their guns in the general direction of the guy, hitting EVERYONE in the car, is just inexcusable.

It's understandable why they'd be extra alert in this case - because the guy did mention something about getting a gun, but come on, this was just over the top.

its time for a 187

see, if that as me, i would have been like...

...and the paper would read "one shot, one kill"

"It shoots through schools."

What happened was extremely unfortunate, but I do feel two points need to be made (I didn't read all the prior posts, so I apologize if this is redundant)...

1. The cops were acquitted of the charges as specified, which centered on criminal intent to do harm. The prosecution did not prove criminal intent. If the charges were lesser (reckless endangerment, or whatever), then the cops may've been convicted. In other words, as I understand this, the prosecution may've reached too high. As such, they were unable to prove their point...just like in the OJ case. Most African-Americans I had spoken to about that case believed OJ was guilty. But the prosecution did not prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

2. Every single person--black or white--I have ever spoken to about these types of cases all shared two things in common:
- criticism of police response
- they themselves were not cops, ie, were never in a life/death situation. I don't think it's right to judge how police should behave under these circumstances when the civilian has no idea of the fear and pressure. Yes, training helps (otherwise police response could well be way worse), but you're still dealing with human beings fearing for their lives.

Don't get me wrong: from what I've read about Detective Oliver, he sounds like a real piece of ship, someone who should Not be a cop anymore than that lowlife Volpe who ass-raped Louima. But I do feel that most police officers are good people trying to do a decent job.

in the proper context, all people, regardless of their intentions, can do evil things. The fact that it was a dangerous situation does nothing to explain or excuse the officers of their actions, as it is their job to be able to rationally judge dangerous and difficult situations.

I don't think anyone is complaining that they weren't charged with first degree murder. People are complaining that nothing is being done at all. That the prosecutors tried the officers for something they couldn't prove and not obvious charges like manslaughter, to me, is proof of institutional 'circling of the wagons'.

Originally posted by Mindship

- they themselves were not cops, ie, were never in a life/death situation. I don't think it's right to judge how police should behave under these circumstances when the civilian has no idea of the fear and pressure. Yes, training helps (otherwise police response could well be way worse), but you're still dealing with human beings fearing for their lives.

I agree. They shouldn't be judged different because they are cops. That would be like saying, oh, they are enforcers of the government, they can shoot citizens if they are scared. I think they should be judged just like anyone else who thought those guys had a gun when driving away and shooting the car 30 times. Would be unfair otherwise. At least I hope that's the point you are trying to make...otherwise it would sound to me like you are saying it's alright people employed by the government to kill people when scared.

Originally posted by inimalist
I don't think anyone is complaining that they weren't charged with first degree murder. People are complaining that nothing is being done at all. That the prosecutors tried the officers for something they couldn't prove and not obvious charges like manslaughter, to me, is proof of institutional 'circling of the wagons'.

Originally posted by Bardock42
I agree. They shouldn't be judged different because they are cops. That would be like saying, oh, they are enforcers of the government, they can shoot citizens if they are scared. I think they should be judged just like anyone else who thought those guys had a gun when driving away and shooting the car 30 times. Would be unfair otherwise. At least I hope that's the point you are trying to make...otherwise it would sound to me like you are saying it's alright people employed by the government to kill people when scared.

speaking as a white guy i have to say it's a shame that cops get away with shit like this. and if alot of people believe shooting a man 50 times with no weapon on him that the people who side with those cops are just as prejudice as them.

Originally posted by Mindship
From what I understand, they're not out of the woods. There's going to be a departmental investigation, and they are still open to civil suits.

interesting

I should read the reports before making such sweeping statements I guess

I hope something happens... I'm not optimistic, but I hope

Originally posted by Robtard
"It shoots through schools."

That's freaky. I must be pyschic.

Originally posted by chithappens
One of the other guys, who did not die, was shot 19 times.

Originally posted by red g jacks
give that man a record deal

Originally posted by chithappens
Link

As a black man, I have so much faith in the system! 💃

*gasp* Dont bring race into this.

Originally posted by Phantom Zone
*gasp* Dont bring race into this.

I think it's really hard not to feel as if there is a racial element to this. I don't want to go far into, but there is something wrong with the cops in New York. A couple of years back they shot an African immigrant because "mistook his wallet for a gun."

It's just a really sad thing because it starts to seem so obvious that it makes you doubt it's true. Sometimes rappers don't speak in hyperbole.

*shrug*

I'm black, and all I see this as, is a bunch of dumb people, being dumb.

Originally posted by Blax_Hydralisk
*shrug*

I'm black, and all I see this as, is a bunch of dumb people, being dumb.

Seriously, that's a good point. The were overreacting cops and idiot strip club patrons.

Originally posted by chithappens
I think it's really hard not to feel as if there is a racial element to this. I don't want to go far into, but there is something wrong with the cops in New York. A couple of years back they shot an African immigrant because "mistook his wallet for a gun."

It's just a really sad thing because it starts to seem so obvious that it makes you doubt it's true. Sometimes rappers don't speak in hyperbole.

Lol you do know 2 of the 3 cops were black..right?

And the cop that shot first..and shot 31 out of the 50 bullets..was black?

Or is it all just whitey controlling them?

Originally posted by Blax_Hydralisk
*shrug*

I'm black, and all I see this as, is a bunch of dumb people, being dumb.

Shhhh..dont let Al Sharpton "King of the Blacks" hear that..he might see you as being controlled by the white man.

Cops. I don't care what race the cops were.

Black cops got stripes by beating on black folks even in the 70s