I want to agree with the overwhelming sentiment expressed here that something wrong was done here. In spite of the fact that officers trained in dealing with the mentally ill were on the scene, deadly force was used in a way that shames us as citizens of this city. Seventeen shots fired? At a man without a firearm. Who cops had been told was mentally ill.
It sounds more like target practice at OK Corral than a disciplined response to a threatening situation. Horrible. And It is amazing that no bystanders or police officers were hit in the apparent free-for-all. We want and need the cooperation and good will of our Somalian residents. We seem to be well on the way of alienating them just as in the past insensitive officials have often alienated blacks, gays, hispanics and other discernable minorities. If we want everyone to believe in the potential of America then we have to keep abuse of power, and use of deadly force, to a minimum. Limited, balanced government means no de facto "street justice," intended or perceived. I'm of the opinion that some number of cops are routinely abusive--in little and big ways. It is a test of the other cops whether they let the bads ones set the tone or not. (If someone else fires you don't have to too.) And it is a test of police management as to whether cops with bad attitudes get to keep wearing the badge. And if this was not abusive force, then some one is going to have to convince me then that we have as many fearful or undisciplined cops as fired during this incident (-1). And then they will have to say whether this indicates poor training or what. Management, where are thou? Alan Shilepsky Downtown _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
