The proper role and scope of government

[BigV]

The police do have authority in this case, it would appear. It is also plainly obvious that this is a case of excessive use of force. Was it motivated by fear, or inexperience, or hatred, or stupidity or a combination of these and other forces, I don't know. It's clearly a mistake, a tragic and fatal mistake.

In Seattle, we have an uneasy situation with our police force. We're currently operating under a consent decree imposed by the Dept of Justice. There have been similar situations and enough of them to justify an investigation and a finding that our PD requires some changes and some continuing oversight. It's a necessary correction to a bad situation. The recent primary election had the candidates for mayor talking (and talking) and one of the questions had to do with how the selection of the new chief of police would take place, "should you become mayor." The answer I liked best was one where the candidate suggested that he'd hire someone that lives in Seattle.

What a great idea. I think such a move would have the beneficial effect of reducing the us/them false dichotomy that is engendered when an officer, or the chief, can go home, "away from those people".

Who had the most empathy for the old man in Chicago? The staff at his residence, the people who lived with him, worked with him, saw him day in and day out. Their familiarity gave them the confidence to engage him, "disarm" him, despite the fact that they were ridiculously under armed and under armored compared to the cops.

When you don't have knowledge of the people, you have to rely on your ability to use force for protection. And when you have that ability, you'll use it. What a sad goddamn story.