Originally Posted by tiggosaurus:
“Yes, I believe Tensing has been fired. That's not quite what I meant by accountability though. If a police officer commits a crime in the course of their duties then they should be held to account in the same way as any other citizen would be. We both know that's not the case though - for example it's extremely rare for officers to be charged with perjury, let alone conspiracy to pervert the course of justice or manslaughter or murder.
FWIW, the DA who condemned Ray Tensing's conduct in shooting Samuel DuBose during a routine traffic stop was probably the polar opposite of the one who criticised Sandra Bland's response to the officer she encountered. Maybe a more common sense and less politicised justice system would better serve the rights enshrined in the Constitution and the interests of US society as a whole... ?
Any thoughts on the best way forward? Or do you think that things will eventually work themselves out without legislative change? I would be interested to hear your views on some of the other points I raise above, such as how perception of the police affects their effectiveness in dealing with communities who have long since grown to distrust them.”
There's a difference between police and other professionals though. Most professionals don't face people who want to harm them and have no conscience about it. There was just another police killing a few days ago at a traffic stop. That's why officers are sometimes given the benefit of the doubt.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...shot/31013881/
The Constitution doesn't say that people can talk to officers however they want. They can disagree within reason.
I don't know what will happen going forward. There is increasing lawlessness and senseless crimes as well, so there is some polarizing going on.