Police

Unarmed man kills police officer

This happened back in March, so it’s not news. But still, the number of similarities between this case and the killing of Michael Brown are interesting, especially if you are one of those who think that “unarmed” suspects cannot ever really threaten police officers to the point where lethal force might be necessary. Here’s gist: An unarmed man attacks Johnson…

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Police

S.C. State Trooper arrested for bad shooting

Here’s me on Chris Hayes last night talking about the shooting of Levar Jones. And yeah, that’s my bolo tie. You got a problem with a little New Mexico sunshine on TV? Didn’t think so. Update: The officer pled guilty

Police

Reporter fired for politically incorrect editorializing

With regards to the killing of Jersey City Police Officer Melvin Santiago, Fox News TV reporter Sean Bergin no longer has a job after editorializing on-air: It’s important to shine a light on this racist mentality that has so contaminated policing and America’s inner-cities. … The underlying cause for all of this, of course, is America’s racist criminal justice system…

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Police

Republicans against bulletproof vests for cops

The program to buy vests for cops started in 1999 under Clinton and the very pro-police vice president, Al Gore (not that most police officers every thanks either of them). But apparently, say Republicans, it’s against the constitution. From USA Today: Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., objected, blocking action on the program, as he did in 2012. Coburn said the Constitution…

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Police

ABQ Police Protests

“Check it out, esse…. shit’s going dowwwn.” (That’s an Albuqueque accent, just FYI, as dictated to me by my Albuquerquean wife). There are some anti-police protests in the Duke City. A police-involved shooting of James Boyd, caught on police video, sparked the protests. If you’re right wing, watch this version: If you’re left wing, watch this version (if you’re in…

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Police

Officer Down

Yesterday an Eastern District sergeant, Keith McNeill, was shot and very seriously wounded. My thoughts go out to him, his family, and all those who know and work with him.

Police

Civil trial in shooting of Jonathan Ayers begins

Remember Jonathan Ayers? Probably not. But you should. In 2009 he was an shot dead by police in what was one of the worst police-involved shooting in American history. Seriously. It didn’t become a national scandal. It wasn’t even big news. But there was so much wrong. So much police did wrong — tactically and morally — it’s hard to…

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Police

Cop Down at MIT

Can we make a new rule for killers? “Know your victims.” It may not help the victim, but it does help everybody else. Update 12:15am: Word is the officer has died. I think it’s safe to assume this is the first MIT police officer to be killed in the line of duty. My condolences and sincere hopes this situation resolves…

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