These recent events have really highlighted to me the fact that police lack accountability. It all folds into a bigger picture of policing (civil forfeiture, no knock warrent-less raids, etc) and a contentious history of policing minorities.
Just in the past few weeks I've seen so many instances of inappropriate escalation in force, all from police officers loaded up in armor, against unarmed people [1][2].
I know policing is hard, but I expect much more from people we give the power of state-sanctioned violence to.
[1] Man prone on the ground being pepper sprayed for the fun of it https://www.reddit.com/r/2020PoliceBrutality/comments/gvtnhz...
[2] Officer grabs a pink umbrella, tear gas and flashbangs ensue https://www.reddit.com/r/Seattle/comments/gv0ru3/this_is_the...
To me, the appalling part was not the shove, it was likely unnecessary but I do not think the officer intended to put him in the hospital. The appalling part is the deliberate lack of any help once he was down and obviously seriously injured. An officer who started to help was dragged away by his colleague. These officers did not live up to their oath and duty, not because he was shoved but because he was abandoned instead of receiving first aid. The fact that "EMTs are coming" does not relieve one of a responsibility to help an injured person. That is pathetic.
And certainly badRNG is correct that "I vas chust followink orders" is a very bad look. In addition, I doubt the orders were to leave seriously injured fellow-citizens bleeding on the ground.
The officer should be arrested. If a normal citizen was caught on video doing the same thing they would be in jail that night.
It is sickening police can get away with whatever they want.
I think it is time to bring in the coast guard!
I'm sorry, but this is not defensible. Their colleagues beat up an old man, this solidarity is no good.
The buffalo police department should be made aware of this criminal act.
Their tip line is 716-847-2255.
Contrary to the popular narrative, apparently it is very easy to remove corrupt cops. Give out a few slaps on the wrist, and 57 more simply get rid of themselves!
Seems like the loss of balance and fall was out of their control, and it's almost like raising your hands toward their weapons was a bad idea. Given the nature of the injury, it was the right thing to wait for a medical professional to attend to the man rather than providing aid.
I don't get the outrage over this incident, personally. Reporting has been getting extremely sensational and I think cops should just do themselves a favor and stop turning up to work for 2 weeks to let the narrative reverse itself.
>the top message on the Buffalo's police union webpage read: "These guys did nothing but do what they were ordered to do. This is disgusting !!!”
The "just following orders" defense isn't one that's held up well historically. The crux of the argument is whether he was pushed or tripped, not whether or not they were following orders. Check the video below and formulate your own opinion:
CW: violence, gore
https://youtu.be/QFeewU0HhNE?t=20
Also take note of his ears after he falls