It didn't take President Obama long to politicize the horrific and tragic shooting in South Carolina. During his remarks this morning prior to leaving for Los Angeles, he stated that mass killings like that one don't happen in other countries. He is clearly wrong.
Mass killings have been around since the dawn of time. Keeping legal weapons out of citizens hands is not the answer. The answer is to ensure that guns are in the right hands at the right times. This shooting could have been altered significantly had there been an armed person in the church. Unfortunately, we will never know.
I am not an advocate of providing weapons to everyone. Those with mental disorders, felony convictions, or drug/alcohol addictions should never be armed. The laws already prohibit those folks from legally possessing firearms.
Gun control will not keep people from illegally possessing firearms. But, when a person believes they will meet armed resistance if they attempt to shoot up a location, I would bet they will not attack. These mass shootings have happened only in places where people are less likely to carry firearms.
The motive for this particular shooting may not be known for a while. It's way too early to make any assumptions about what the shooter's intent, mental state, or motive was. We can all speculate, but we don't know yet. I just think it's way too soon and irresponsible of the President for politicizing this incident within 24 hours of the incident.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Most of Officer Casebolt's Actions Were Justified
After reviewing several other videos and speaking to several colleagues, I have now come to realize that some of my previous interpretations were inaccurate. This post will serve to correct my initial comments as well as explain why I believe that some of Officer Casebolt's actions were not only justified, but necessary.
First, in my previous post, I stated that I did not see anything in the video that would cause me to draw my weapon. I have now watched this video numerous times, as well as several others. What I did not notice at first was the actions of the two young men that ran up behind Officer Casebolt when he was dealing with the young female. At first, Officer Casebolt is dealing with gaining compliance from a physically noncompliant female. A group of females then approach him yelling and screaming. Mind you, this group did not just casually walk up to him. Instead, they approach very quickly in what could be considered an aggressive fashion. Officer Casebolt then pushes them away, while still trying to hold on to the original female. As that is happening, two young men approach Officer Casebolt from behind. One of the males immediately reaches behind his back. From the view that Officer Casebolt has, he can not see that the male is pulling up his shorts. All he can see is his hand behind his back. Officer's safety and training teach us that a person with a knife in their hand has the upper hand when he or she is within approximately 25 feet. These two young men are basically within 2 feet. Officer Casebolt, correctly and immediately, drew his side arm to deal with a perceived threat. As the men run away, two other officers approach. They then take off after the two that ran off.
Secondly, most media and social media outlets are reporting that one of those officers tried to calm down Officer Casebolt immediately prior to running after the two young men. I disagree. We can't hear if there is even a verbal exchange between the two officers. It looks to me as if the officer literally bumps into Officer Casebolt. Officer Casebolt points and the officer runs off. Officer Casebolt then returns to dealing with the original female.
Thirdly, Officer Casebolt obviously knows this young girl poses no threat to his physical wellbeing. This is most likely why he immediately holstered his weapon and went back to dealing with her.
Finally, after reviewing all of the video evidence I have seen, there is no way for me to ascertain what was on Officer Casebolt's mind when he was dealing with this crowd. Many have said his actions were racially motivated. Because he resigned, he is now no longer going to be forced to answer questions from the McKinney Police Department. As a result, the only way we may ever know what was going on in his mind would be if he were to go to trial.
Now, I have been considering what possible charges Officer Casebolt could face as a result of his actions against the young female. I am not an attorney and this is not in any way a suggestion that Officer Casebolt even be charged. However, I could foresee him possibly facing charges under the Texas Penal code for either Official Oppression or Violating the Civil Rights of a Person in Custody. It is under Chapter 39.03 and 39.04 of the Texas Penal Code.
That is my take on all of this.
First, in my previous post, I stated that I did not see anything in the video that would cause me to draw my weapon. I have now watched this video numerous times, as well as several others. What I did not notice at first was the actions of the two young men that ran up behind Officer Casebolt when he was dealing with the young female. At first, Officer Casebolt is dealing with gaining compliance from a physically noncompliant female. A group of females then approach him yelling and screaming. Mind you, this group did not just casually walk up to him. Instead, they approach very quickly in what could be considered an aggressive fashion. Officer Casebolt then pushes them away, while still trying to hold on to the original female. As that is happening, two young men approach Officer Casebolt from behind. One of the males immediately reaches behind his back. From the view that Officer Casebolt has, he can not see that the male is pulling up his shorts. All he can see is his hand behind his back. Officer's safety and training teach us that a person with a knife in their hand has the upper hand when he or she is within approximately 25 feet. These two young men are basically within 2 feet. Officer Casebolt, correctly and immediately, drew his side arm to deal with a perceived threat. As the men run away, two other officers approach. They then take off after the two that ran off.
Secondly, most media and social media outlets are reporting that one of those officers tried to calm down Officer Casebolt immediately prior to running after the two young men. I disagree. We can't hear if there is even a verbal exchange between the two officers. It looks to me as if the officer literally bumps into Officer Casebolt. Officer Casebolt points and the officer runs off. Officer Casebolt then returns to dealing with the original female.
Thirdly, Officer Casebolt obviously knows this young girl poses no threat to his physical wellbeing. This is most likely why he immediately holstered his weapon and went back to dealing with her.
Finally, after reviewing all of the video evidence I have seen, there is no way for me to ascertain what was on Officer Casebolt's mind when he was dealing with this crowd. Many have said his actions were racially motivated. Because he resigned, he is now no longer going to be forced to answer questions from the McKinney Police Department. As a result, the only way we may ever know what was going on in his mind would be if he were to go to trial.
Now, I have been considering what possible charges Officer Casebolt could face as a result of his actions against the young female. I am not an attorney and this is not in any way a suggestion that Officer Casebolt even be charged. However, I could foresee him possibly facing charges under the Texas Penal code for either Official Oppression or Violating the Civil Rights of a Person in Custody. It is under Chapter 39.03 and 39.04 of the Texas Penal Code.
That is my take on all of this.
Monday, June 8, 2015
McKinney Police Officer: Racist? I think not!
So, like many of you, I saw a video emerge this weekend of a police officer in McKinney, Texas in which he threw a 14 year old girl in a bikini to the ground after receiving a call to some kind of disturbance at a pool party. You can see one of the videos here. There are a number of them. But, immediately, the racist remarks began to flow. It never ceases to amaze me how this is the first thing that gets the most attention. I don't believe this officers actions were racially motivated at all. Let's review, shall we?
First, the officers were called to a large disturbance at a pool party. Allegedly, several people showed up uninvited. What is not clear is who called the police to begin with. When officers arrive, it appears, at least on one video, that there are several fights breaking out. One officer, the one who is now relieved of duty, arrives after initial officers. This is the officer who will eventually get himself relieved. At any rate, when he arrives, what at first seems like a calm response by officers, turns into a very unorganized mess.
Now, having worked as an officer in Houston for 22 years, I can tell you that these kinds of crowds are difficult to deal with. Anyone who has been on a scene like this will attest to how chaotic it is. The now relieved officer responds by yelling at everyone to get on the ground. This is not a bad safety tactic. This helps police identify who the aggressors are immediately. They can then begin to deal with them in a more orderly fashion. When the police tell several groups of teens to leave, however, they not only refuse, but they begin to yell at the officers. The officer that responded most inappropriately lets his emotions take over. He is human, after all.
Secondly, this video, although it is over five minutes long, only gives us a glimpse of the chaos at this party. We do not see what is happening further away that causes the officer to draw his weapon. Having said that, I don't see anything that would cause me to draw my weapon. But, I wasn't there. I didn't hear what the crowd was yelling. At the same time, the girl that is eventually thrown to the ground has already had at least one verbal exchange with the officer. He has told her and her friends several times to leave. They refused. Because of her refusal to do what she was told, she was eventually thrown to the ground.
This does not make this a racial issue!! This is two human beings who are caught up in the moment. Two wrongs don't make a right either. This young girl put herself in that position.
Finally, for the sake of brevity, I don't condone the officers actions as shown in this video. He violated a number of policies set by his department. His chief will deal with that. The officer does not deserve to get fired, even for drawing his weapon. He did not point it at anyone and obviously felt threatened by something or someone we do not see on the video. When he went to address the female he threw to the ground, he holstered. The officer deserves a severe suspension as well as additional training. The training should include how to calm his own temper under stressful situations as well as how to talk to people in a much more professional manner. Foul language is only going to make matters worse.
This incident is simply not a racist incident.
First, the officers were called to a large disturbance at a pool party. Allegedly, several people showed up uninvited. What is not clear is who called the police to begin with. When officers arrive, it appears, at least on one video, that there are several fights breaking out. One officer, the one who is now relieved of duty, arrives after initial officers. This is the officer who will eventually get himself relieved. At any rate, when he arrives, what at first seems like a calm response by officers, turns into a very unorganized mess.
Now, having worked as an officer in Houston for 22 years, I can tell you that these kinds of crowds are difficult to deal with. Anyone who has been on a scene like this will attest to how chaotic it is. The now relieved officer responds by yelling at everyone to get on the ground. This is not a bad safety tactic. This helps police identify who the aggressors are immediately. They can then begin to deal with them in a more orderly fashion. When the police tell several groups of teens to leave, however, they not only refuse, but they begin to yell at the officers. The officer that responded most inappropriately lets his emotions take over. He is human, after all.
Secondly, this video, although it is over five minutes long, only gives us a glimpse of the chaos at this party. We do not see what is happening further away that causes the officer to draw his weapon. Having said that, I don't see anything that would cause me to draw my weapon. But, I wasn't there. I didn't hear what the crowd was yelling. At the same time, the girl that is eventually thrown to the ground has already had at least one verbal exchange with the officer. He has told her and her friends several times to leave. They refused. Because of her refusal to do what she was told, she was eventually thrown to the ground.
This does not make this a racial issue!! This is two human beings who are caught up in the moment. Two wrongs don't make a right either. This young girl put herself in that position.
Finally, for the sake of brevity, I don't condone the officers actions as shown in this video. He violated a number of policies set by his department. His chief will deal with that. The officer does not deserve to get fired, even for drawing his weapon. He did not point it at anyone and obviously felt threatened by something or someone we do not see on the video. When he went to address the female he threw to the ground, he holstered. The officer deserves a severe suspension as well as additional training. The training should include how to calm his own temper under stressful situations as well as how to talk to people in a much more professional manner. Foul language is only going to make matters worse.
This incident is simply not a racist incident.
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