UPDATE: Here's the piece I wrote on the PG County cops that Stacy referenced. That was some years ago. But they haven't gotten much better. Here, also, are some thoughts on my old friend Prince Jones--a college kid, and father of a baby girl, who the PG County cops killed right outside his girlfriend's apartment. As for this case, they will almost certainly exonerate the officer. I don't think he should be charged. Probably was a mistake. But he should never have a gun anywhere near him. He should be fired and find another line of work. People's lives are too damn precious. It makes me ill to see some union dude trying to protect some guy's salary and benefits after he just killed someone.
UPDATE#2: Forgot to give a H/T to TalkLeft. The worst part is that I knew he was black while reading it over there. I hadn't even seen the picture. I agree with this, in the case of killing an innocent. I think George put it a little better than me:
Typically, Navy captain who loses his ship never commands another ship again. The question of why the ship was lost is always evaluated, but the answer to this question almost never leads to a second sea command. It is his watch. He is responsible. That understanding, that responsibility, is simply part of the job.
Police officers should be subject to the same expectations. Cops involved in accidental shootings like this one should never be allowed on the street with a firearm again.
This article available online at:
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2008/10/lest-we-think-we-apos-ve-reached-the-promised-land/6151/
