Posted on Jul 7, 2016
Alton Sterling: The Problem With Instant Condemnation
2.04K
25
20
4
4
0
From Fault/Lines.
An evaluation of the shooting of Alton Sterling, and why the officers involved were probably justified in the shooting.
An evaluation of the shooting of Alton Sterling, and why the officers involved were probably justified in the shooting.
Alton Sterling: The Problem With Instant Condemnation
Posted from mimesislaw.com
Police
Law Enforcement
Justice
Law
Crime
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 2
3
3
0
My personal opinion is that Alton Sterling was wrong all the way up to the time the cops shot him... just from watching the video and the position that the cops were in there is no way he could have been able to pull a gun out and fire at the officers (unless the gun was already in his hand but we can't see that)... I think there was a lack of confidence on the officer's part to secure Sterling.
(3)
(0)
SSG Michael LeGrand
Capt Gregory Prickett - The worst kind of reply is a two word reply because it gives me room to assume things about your response. My assumption right now is that obviously you feel my answer is wrong but don't know how to elaborate or articulate your comment. So if we can try this again please?
(1)
(0)
Capt Gregory Prickett
SSG Michael LeGrand
Sorry, I'm prepping for a felony jury trial and was a little terse.
It's been my experience that if a subject really wants to fight, he can do so, from any position, regardless of the skill or experience of the officer(s). A 140-lb suspect was able to sling an officer who was a former DB at an NCAA Div 1 school like he was a doll. This is while the officer had a submission hold on the suspect. I've had a 250-lb guy on the ground who 4 of us could not control and who was able to throw us off repeatedly. I've also been taken down within seconds by a 90-lb female officer in training.
Nothing works all the time, especially on the streets. We had a guy who had all sorts of training get his ass kicked on the street one day, and have no problems a couple of months later with another guy. There are just too many variables.
Sorry, I'm prepping for a felony jury trial and was a little terse.
It's been my experience that if a subject really wants to fight, he can do so, from any position, regardless of the skill or experience of the officer(s). A 140-lb suspect was able to sling an officer who was a former DB at an NCAA Div 1 school like he was a doll. This is while the officer had a submission hold on the suspect. I've had a 250-lb guy on the ground who 4 of us could not control and who was able to throw us off repeatedly. I've also been taken down within seconds by a 90-lb female officer in training.
Nothing works all the time, especially on the streets. We had a guy who had all sorts of training get his ass kicked on the street one day, and have no problems a couple of months later with another guy. There are just too many variables.
(1)
(0)
SSG Michael LeGrand
I agree with there being lots a variables. I was a MP for 12 years (active) as well as a LV3 combatives instructor. These cops in my opinion were not scare of the subject but scared on how to best handle the situation, especially knowing that he was armed. Fearless isn't exactly the word that i would use to describe myself but I'm extremely confident going into alot of situations. Thinking 2-3 steps ahead has been my bread and butter and sizing up someone when i first encounter them. If I know they are stronger than me, i have a plan for that, if they are bigger, I have a plan for that. I'm not saying i make all the right moves but at the same time I'm better prepared than 95% of the people i would face. (situation dictating of course). All and all, they could have secured him WITHOUT having to shoot him (going off the video of course)
To be brutally honest, I would have beat this man's ass before i shot him. in this situation i would rather be charged with that type of police brutality vs taking his life. Again, this is my opinion.
To be brutally honest, I would have beat this man's ass before i shot him. in this situation i would rather be charged with that type of police brutality vs taking his life. Again, this is my opinion.
(1)
(0)
Capt Gregory Prickett
SSG Michael LeGrand - "they could have secured him WITHOUT having to shoot him..."
I disagree. Verbal commands didn't work, the taser didn't work, they went hands on and couldn't control his right arm. I don't see anything that was unreasonable about their actions, nor do I accept the premise that they were scared. For the record, I was USAF SP for 8-1/2 years, a civilian police officer for over 20 years, and a firearms and use of force instructor for over 10 years. I've been trained in a variety of combative techniques, from martial arts to police PPCT. The officers did fine.
I disagree. Verbal commands didn't work, the taser didn't work, they went hands on and couldn't control his right arm. I don't see anything that was unreasonable about their actions, nor do I accept the premise that they were scared. For the record, I was USAF SP for 8-1/2 years, a civilian police officer for over 20 years, and a firearms and use of force instructor for over 10 years. I've been trained in a variety of combative techniques, from martial arts to police PPCT. The officers did fine.
(1)
(0)
2
2
0
I live in Louisiana and the news is flowing fast with protests and people saying he was such a "Good" man and father, the people need to quit idolizing simple criminals. Yes, maybe the police went about it the wrong way,I don't know, I am not a cop. They were called on a code 2 to a man brandishing a weapon and telling the complainant that they had to leave, so of course they come in stressed already, then he blatantly resisted arrest. Below is part of his arrest record, and attached is a picture of him with his kids....make sure to read the bottom
10/31/97 2nd degree battery
1/06/98 simple battery
5/04/00 public intimidation
9/20/00 carnal knowledge of a juvenile
9/04/01 domestic violence
5/24/05 burglary of an inhabited dwelling place
7/11/05 receiving stolen things
9/12/05 burglary of inhabited dwelling place
3/17/06 simple criminal damage to property, simple robbery, simple theft, drug possession, misrepresentation during booking, simple battery, aggravated battery
4/12/06 aggravated battery, simple criminal damage to property, disturbing the peace, unauthorized entry
4/04/08 domestic abuse battery
6/03/09 resisting an officer, drug possession, receiving stolen things, possession of stolen firearm, illegal carrying of a weapon with CD's, sound re-product without consent
10/12/09 illegal carrying of weapon, marijuana possession
8/13/15 failure to register as a sex offender
4/08/16 failure to register as a sex offender
6/14/16 ecstasy and marijuana possession
10/31/97 2nd degree battery
1/06/98 simple battery
5/04/00 public intimidation
9/20/00 carnal knowledge of a juvenile
9/04/01 domestic violence
5/24/05 burglary of an inhabited dwelling place
7/11/05 receiving stolen things
9/12/05 burglary of inhabited dwelling place
3/17/06 simple criminal damage to property, simple robbery, simple theft, drug possession, misrepresentation during booking, simple battery, aggravated battery
4/12/06 aggravated battery, simple criminal damage to property, disturbing the peace, unauthorized entry
4/04/08 domestic abuse battery
6/03/09 resisting an officer, drug possession, receiving stolen things, possession of stolen firearm, illegal carrying of a weapon with CD's, sound re-product without consent
10/12/09 illegal carrying of weapon, marijuana possession
8/13/15 failure to register as a sex offender
4/08/16 failure to register as a sex offender
6/14/16 ecstasy and marijuana possession
(2)
(0)
Cpl Jeff N.
SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" Really, you are going to act like a 20 year criminal career might not come into play in how he views and reacts to law enforcement. If the picture is real, it is disgusting that he would pose it and take it with children. He likely would have been facing a 10-20 year sentence as a felon with a gun too. Would have been one more item to add to his rap sheet.
The best indicator of future behavior is past behavior. He is a common criminal that has hurt more people than he ever should have been allowed to. He should have been in prison somewhere based upon that rap sheet (I am assuming it is all accurate). Rap sheets speak to behavior and disposition and penchant for violence. To act like it has no bearing is simply foolish.
I do not know if the shooting was "justified" or not. I am willing to let the investigation show that. We might not want to let anyone from the FBI anywhere near it. They appear unable to do a comprehensive investigation any longer. This "gentleman", really, that is what qualifies as a gentleman in your world?
The best indicator of future behavior is past behavior. He is a common criminal that has hurt more people than he ever should have been allowed to. He should have been in prison somewhere based upon that rap sheet (I am assuming it is all accurate). Rap sheets speak to behavior and disposition and penchant for violence. To act like it has no bearing is simply foolish.
I do not know if the shooting was "justified" or not. I am willing to let the investigation show that. We might not want to let anyone from the FBI anywhere near it. They appear unable to do a comprehensive investigation any longer. This "gentleman", really, that is what qualifies as a gentleman in your world?
(0)
(0)
Cpl Jeff N.
SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" You apparently fail to understand that his behavior over the long course of time is important and relative to mindset and how he likely views law enforcement. That doesn't mean he should be killed in a "bad shooting" but the excessive hero worship I have seen by people on TV about this guy is intellectually dishonest. I have heard what a great father citizen this guy was etc. Look at the rap sheet. Tell me, is that your definition of a good father and neighbor?
There should be a fair hearing into the incident but to act as though he is a pillar of the community is a falsehood of epic proportion.
There should be a fair hearing into the incident but to act as though he is a pillar of the community is a falsehood of epic proportion.
(0)
(0)
Capt Gregory Prickett
SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" & Cpl Jeff N.
Sterling's criminal record does not provide justification for his being shot. It does, however, provide insight as to why he resisted the police and what his thought process might have been. If he were arrested with a firearm, he was going back to prison for a long, long time. That can motivate someone to resist.
But let's be clear--the only thing that justifies the shooting is that he was armed and trying to get to his pistol in his pocket. That's it. The rap sheet doesn't justify it in any way.
Sterling's criminal record does not provide justification for his being shot. It does, however, provide insight as to why he resisted the police and what his thought process might have been. If he were arrested with a firearm, he was going back to prison for a long, long time. That can motivate someone to resist.
But let's be clear--the only thing that justifies the shooting is that he was armed and trying to get to his pistol in his pocket. That's it. The rap sheet doesn't justify it in any way.
(1)
(0)
Capt Gregory Prickett
There are two videos. He had a pistol in his own pocket, he was not trying to get to the officer's guns. My evaluation of the video was that the officers were unable to control his right arm. When he pulled it from his shoulder area to his pocket, while the officers were trying unsuccessfully to stop him, it was too risky and they shot him before he could get to his own pistol.
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google