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Police arrive on the scene for a call involving a domestic dispute and a gun waiving suspect. Officers are on high alert as a gun has been indicated to be on the person of the suspect.
Police exit their car. See no visible gun but do see a suspect selling CD's outside of the corner store that matches the description. Hands are immediately placed on service weapon and prepared for brandishing and use.
Officer #1: Hello sir, I'm officer Officer Salamoni and this is my partner Officer Lake. And we received a call stating that a man fitting your description and selling CD's outside of this store brandished a firearm and threatened an unarmed civilian. What's your name sir?
Alton: My name is Alton officer. Alton Sterling. I've been here all day but I did not threaten anyone. My friend owns the store and gave me the OK to be here in front of his store.
Officer Salamoni: Well we are here to get to the bottom of things Alton so I have to ask you a few questions. Now this is very important because we were informed that there's a gun on the suspect so I need you to be very honest and to comply. Otherwise, this could very well be a life and death situation. Me and my partner want to go home to our families tonight and just as importantly, we want to make sure you are able to do so as well. Do you understand Alton?
Alton: I understand officer. I've done nothing wrong.
Officer Salamoni: Do you have a firearm on your person Alton?
Alton: Yes, officer, I have a firearm.
Officer Salamoni: Where is the firearm located on your person Alton?
Alton: It's in my right pocket officer.
Officer Salamoni: Ok, Alton, you aren't under arrest or anything but we are going to need to disarm you of that weapon. Do you understand?
Alton: I understand officer.
Officer Salamoni: I need you to place your hands behind your head and turn around.
*If Alton complies, Officer Lake disarms him while Officer Salamoni brandishes to cover him but Alton is unable to see this as he's faced in the opposite direction. Once the gun is off of Alton's person and Lake has patted him down for other weapons, Salamoni holsters his weapon and they talk to Alton about what happened. If he continues to deny any wrongdoing, take him into custody, garner a warrant to confiscate any surveillance video from the store and make your case.
*If Alton does not comply, they brandish their weapons and explain to him that his non-compliance makes him a threat as they've been informed the suspect has a gun. And that further non-compliance will result in increased use of force. Then call for back up. Instruct him to keep his hands visible and that if he makes any sudden moves, you'll be forced to shoot.
On some occasions, an officer may not have the time to get all of this in but from the video, I can see that this approach was plausible.
This man didn't have to die. And I have NO formal police training. This is just common sense.
Same with MN police shooting of Philando Castile.
1-Busted headlight was the reason for the stop but there's rumblings there wasn't a busted headlight? Maybe the light was out and they didn't know it? Interesting.
2-It's broad daylight, a family of 3 with a 4 year old in the back seat. Common sense says, there's a slim chance they'll try anything violent in front of the child.
3-Philando informed the officer he had a weapon and was licensed to do so. So again, if he was going to be a threat, why would he identify that he had a weapon.
4-At that point, you unholster you service weapon, aim it down and away from the car and explain to Philando that the threat of the weapon needs to be neutralized. Ask him to show his hands, then the officer should open the car door and ask him to step out. Philando should have then been required to put his hands behind his head and get on his knees facing away from the officer so that the officer could cuff him and search for weapons, given compliance. Might seem a bit much but as a solo officer on the scene, this reduces the fear of violence on both sides. Call for backup and then continue with the traffic stop.
Again, I don't have any police training but this just seems like common sense.
If I'm viewing these situations objectively, the Baton Rouge incident is manslaughter at worst, murder at best. Simply because of their approach to the situation (tackle, swearing/threats), the circumstantial evidence (no weapon in his hand, already pinned to the ground, no attempt to disarm Alton, just "HE'S GOT A GUN!" pop-pop-pop). Those guys should do limited jail time (mainly because this WAS in the line of duty, but their approach was suspect) and should never be police officers again in their lives.
Philando's killer should be sentenced to murder. Not manslaughter. He should see some serious/extended jail time and be considered a criminal going forward. He panicked out of fear and instead of using some cautionary common sense he murders a man in front of a 4 year old.
I'm sure my views on this might not jive with the legal system but yeah...my thoughts. ____________
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