This week in Policing
1. Tyre Nichols
Five officers from the Memphis, TN police department have been indicted in federal court for alleged civil rights violations for their role in the Tyre Nichols case. These are the same five officers who had been charged in the state case relating to the beating and death of Mr. Nichols.
Though horrific, it was important to force yourself to watch the body cam and surveillance footage of this crime. I often say that if you follow the commands and directions of police officers that it is nearly impossible to be killed by a police officer. This case made it possible. Though anti-police activists are usually dishonest and troll with bad faith motives - this is a case where everyone who cares about real justice and human decency is on the same side1.
If anything this proves the point of honest arbitrators of information - like:
and the crew at Failure to Stop , On Being a Police Officer and myself.It proves our point of view because we are able to be objective and:
Loudly point out how unacceptable this was.
Remember how rare a case like this is.
Pretending that the Tyre Nichols case is not an anomaly is just as dishonest as ignoring the case altogether.
2. Ta’Kiya Young
I have covered this case extensively over the past few weeks. Maybe because the video became public as I was out with Covid and had more time on my hands. Maybe it’s because I can make a good faith argument for either side. I have done several videos (on Tik Tok, IG, and FB) as well as written two articles on this case and had many debates on Twitter (follow me there). I even had a few comments from viewers that they were sick of me covering this case.
I understand that I created the tag line,
“A tactical error is not legally or morally equivalent to a violent felony.”2
And that is what happened here. The officer made a tactical error and stood in front of the car. Ms. Young subsequently tried to run him over. The penalty for a tactical error by a police officer in a stressful situation is some extra training. The penalty for trying to run over another human with your car is decades years in prison. The behavior by these two individuals is not equal.
Right now. I am about 55% that the shooting was not objectively reasonable on the probable cause standard. Meaning that there is barely enough evidence to charge the officer. Therefore, this case is not close to the beyond a reasonable doubt standard and a conviction should not be in the realm of possibility.
Finally. Don’t steal liquor while pregnant3, ignore lawful commands from police, and then try to mow down an officer in your car and you will probably be ok. Take your citation and go home. That is the goal. Less violence between police and citizens. And that starts with citizens following lawful commands from police.
3. Seattle Body Cam, OOPS!
In January 2023 a Seattle police officer crashed into a pedestrian while he was on the way to “drug overdose” call. The 23 year-old victim was a grad student (Jaahnavi Kandula). The officer was traveling nearly fifty mph over the posted speed limit as he caused the fatal wreck.
The intent from the involved officer was to render aid to a person who was possibly dying from a drug overdose. He certainly did not intend to kill an innocent person. That was literally the exact opposite of the desired outcome.
After the crash, another officer (Daniel Auderer), left his body camera running as he had a conversation with the police union President in his police car. The two men discussed the incident and only captured on body cam was what Officer Auderer said. Officer Auderer made an insensitive remark about the incident. Officer Auderer claimed that he was mocking the process - not the victim.
Anti police activists claim that Officer Auderer’s comments are unacceptable and are demanding that he be fired.
Many in the pro police community claim that he was appropriately mocking the system - not the victim and should not be disciplined.
It would be a nice treat if people (on both sides) could evaluate a case based on the facts and not automatically run to their corners and like a lazy reflex - support or condemn the police officer.
I know that this is an unrealistic expectation. I find myself stuck in this trap, not when writing articles or making video content - but in the comment section. The people who hate police are so fucking dishonest and awful that the desire to oppose them often seems like the right thing to do.
Please comment with suggestions on cases to cover for next week.
Though the “week in policing” series will remain free - the comment section will be accessible for paid subscribers in future articles. Please consider supporting this work and stay safe.
Fuck those cops.
Brilliant. I know.
Classy.
In the case with Ms Young, the bottom line is going to be did police have probable cause or Reasonable Suspicion to detain her. The answer is yes.
Did she refuse to comply with numerous lawful commands? The answer is yes.
Did she use her vehicle as a 3500 lb weapon to threaten a police officer in order to escape from custody? The answer is yes.
Did the police officer who stood in front of her car with his gun drawn violate her constitutional rights in any way? The answer is no.
Was standing in front of a car with a suspect behind the wheel and the motor running a smart thing to do? AB so f****** not, but it was not a crime and I don't even believe it was a policy violation.
Ms young made the choices that resulted in her death, plain and simple.
Well presented. My favorite part was “It would be a nice treat if people (on both sides) could evaluate a case based on the facts and not automatically run to their corners and like a lazy reflex - support or condemn the police officer. “ Sadly, I’m not sure people do much more than read headlines and move on, now. The details are important. Thanks for your work.