Originally Posted by
rdneckpilot
we will just have to disagree. Most don’t understand the legal difference between murder and other wrongful death charges so I wasn’t parsing words to be explicit or accurate in that vain. I was not in a union as a LEO. We had lots of transparency and accountability at our department. Just because you and I did not personally see the things I referred to doesn’t mean they don’t happen. If you were actually paying attention you would be aware just as I am.
Sure, fair enough. And I'm not questioning your experience(s) or your observations and I don't think you were being deceptive. We had the same transparency and enjoyed a great relationship with the community which was to everyone's benefit, I feel sorry for those that don't. My sole point is that actual murder requires several elements, it's a legal definition and those elements have to be met for a conviction to happen. I am not aware of any LEO's who with intention and premeditation have put on the uniform and gone out to take a life. I AM aware of the OIS and use of force incidents that have resulted in death and the overwhelming majority were justified. For the record, yes, I worked with several officers who were probably better suited to doing something else, some came to that realization and left and others did not but not one of them ever came close to killing a civilian for kicks or out of sheer anger. I also believe passionately in better training in dealing with escalation of force situations with the aim of deescalation, but as you know, that's not always dictated by the officer. Change is a two way street and begins within an individual or group and only then can meaningful dialog happen between two parties. I am paying attention, more than you know and I am deeply concerned for the future. Something has to give and it has to give bidirectionally. Cheers....