Albuquerque, New Mexico, police
described James Boyd, the homeless camper that was fatally shot
during a stand-off over illegally camping in a public space while
he appeared to be turning away, as a mentally disturbed man with a
violent 20-year criminal history. The police alleged he had
previously threatened officers, that he was reaching for a knife,
that a K-9 officer was in danger, and that Boyd was mentally
disturbed the day the police shot him. A few years ago, that
might’ve been the end of the story. But the shooting was caught by
police helmet cams (video at bottom), and has sparked outrage
across New Mexico. The Albuquerque police only began to wear
cameras in 2012, the same year those officers came under Department
of Justice review and in which they fatally shot 17 people.
Via the AP:
A protest Tuesday evening in downtown Albuquerque drew
a crowd from around the city and Santa Fe. Some chanted “We want
justice,” while others held signs that read “APD is guilty” as they
marched for a few blocks to police headquarters. The demonstrators
filled the streets, blocking traffic as they went.“I think the helmet cam has a lot to do with it,” said Hans
Erickson, vice chair of the [police oversight] task force. “It’s so
important for us to have as much information on these kinds of
shootings as we can.”Erickson said the footage allows the public to see what happened
without having to rely solely on accounts of police and
witnesses.
The task force has demanded an independent investigation into
the shooting, while the mayor of Albuquerque called what appeared
on tape “horrific.” Democrats in the State Senate also, the AP
reports, took note. Those interested enough blame a lack of
training. State Senate majority leader Michael
Sanchez (D-29) called it “shameful” that
officers weren’t being prepared to “handle all situations that come
their way,” apparently shifting the blame from officers who might
act inappropriately to the agencies that pay them, often
handsomely. “Unfortunately,” he added, “it is at the expense of
precious lives.”
Ronald Bailey made the case for mandatory police cameras
last year. A PoliceOne
list of tips for cops to beat civil and criminal complaints
also stresses the importance of video evidence. Even videos by
bystanders not interfering with a cop’s duties “should actually be
welcomed.” The police instructor who wrote those tips also adds:
“You should act as if you were being recorded all the time, and
should a lawsuit or complaint come up, have access to that video.”
Maybe he should have also mentioned that trying to gain access to
video by seizing cellphones could itself
lead to a lawsuit.
Watch the video of the Boyd shooting below:
from Hit & Run http://ift.tt/1gChSLP
via IFTTT