The intentionally overlooked part of the Floyd story.

MANY COMMON CIRCUMSTANCES IN POLICE INFLICTED DEATH CASES

PLENTY OF BLAME TO GO AROUND

As we watch the aftermath of the death of George Floyd it is interesting to see the same common denominators that have been apparent in most of the sensationalized police abuse cases. If we look at 4 of the most well publicized cases, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, George Floyd, and Rodney King we find a lot of common facts. 

Of course all were black, all were physically very big men.

All, except possibly Garner were under the influence of drugs or alcohol or a combination.

3 were reported by a citizen of some petty crime, King for speeding and engaging in a high speed chase over 100 mph. 

All refused to be taken into Custody which resulted in the struggles that resulted in either injuries or death.

Videos of Garner indicated, he refused to allow hand cuffs to be put on, which resulted in the struggle with a large group of officers. Garner eventually was knocked down and restrained by an officer with a neck hold. He succumbed from this confrontation. Officers were eventually cleared by a jury.

Brown was reported to have stolen items from a local convenience store, there were videos of him assaulting a small Asian store owner when confronted. He was confronted by a single policeman, who he assaulted and attempted to take his firearm. He was shot and died moments later. The story reported by the media was that he was shot with his hands up pleading " do not shoot", causing riots and is still often referred to by the media and protesters. The officer was acquitted when the forensic evidence and the testimony of eye witnesses, some who were black, confirmed the officers story.

Rodney King was seen speeding on a California highway, he attempted to evade police by reaching speeds of up to 117 mph. Eventually he was stopped and ordered out of the car, his passengers exited and were restrained. King admitted he was on parole and if arrested would go back to jail. A nearby resident video taped the entire confrontation. the video was cut and edited by the local TV. This video was played nationwide, showing officers beating King as he continued to try to get up. Officers were arrested, but acquitted by a jury, which had access to the entire tape which showed King attacking officers and attempting to take a women officers gun. King survived.

The latest incident with George Floyd again showed a video of Floyd being held down with an officer kneeling on his neck. Floyd was stopped after being accused of passing counterfeit  money.  There are numerous short clips of video first showing Floyd refusing to get out of his vehicle and several officers struggling to remove him. Then a video clip of him sitting on the sidewalk and an officer talking to him. Then Floyd laying on the ground at the rear of a police vehicle with the officer kneeling on his neck. There is another clip from the other side of at least three officers struggling with Floyd along side the car. All officers have been fired and arrested. No one, not the media, not the armchair politicians really know the whole story. Everyone agrees that kneeling on someones neck is not a good approach.

The biggest common fact is that all resisted arrest in a maximum effort to not be taken into custody. Once officers decide to take someone into custody they cannot change their mind and let someone go. Once a physical confrontation begins, adrenaline flows for all involved and it is often not a reasoned thought out engagement, but everyone gets into a survival mode. These are human responses to such engagements. No one has yet come up with an alternative in these matters, maybe a tranquilizer gun or some other way to avoid physical contact. I am sure that would be as dangerous and controversial as physical restraint. Until we come up with an alternative to physical restraint, we will have problems.

Then we have a pattern of big city mayors now demanding that small crimes be not enforced. That perpetrators who steal less than $1000 in merchandise be allowed to escape all punishment. This will eventually result in business owners and citizens taking matters into their own hands. Once the law is watered down to allow some citizens to steal or abuse other citizens, only chaos and unrest will be the result. Maybe that is the goal.