Police chief says cop who fatally shot Daunte Wright accidentally fired gun instead of Taser

Uh...maybe the tazer should be carried across the chest like the old "tankers holster" instead of the belt, no mistaking where you're reaching and what's there.

 

Warning: Viewer discretion advised.

https://twitter.com/cathyrusson/status/1381658246780309506

 

Right I forgot...someone dealing with causing the accidental death of another person is hilarious.

 

I wonder if she lost the gun as Daunte sped off in his car. At the end of the video, her right hand appears to be empty.

 

She is a good shot.

 

She absolutely should be relieved of her weapon but ultimately the fault lies with the individual resisting and then trying to take control of what can be a deadly weapon (the vehicle).

 

Being an airline pilot is dramatically different than being a peace officer.

They must first put in several thousand hours flying commercially in smaller airplanes. They then serve hundreds to thousands of hours as a copilot. When they get a lot of hands on experience, they then can pilot fully time for a major airline as pilot in command.

 

No they have to be certified, it isn't just flying time. My roomate from college is a UA pilot. Depending on each craft there is separate certification.

 

I think she's lying.

 

I also get that impression the more I review the details. Anybody that's held a taser knows that it feels different.

 

And you know this how exactly?

 

I said I think she's lying. I didn't say I know anything.

 

Yes they do, when they have all the time in the world to notice the little details. When under-stress or panicking. I'm sure you know exactly how the seat and steering wheel of your car feels to. Now one question.

Did you notice those little details the last time your were nearly involved in an motor accident and had to serve break suddenly or swerve to avoid a collision? All those little details AND your fine motor skills go out the window in such situations.

That said, this officer was supposedly trained to avoid this kind of basic mistake - all Police are. Just like Chauven was supposedly trained to avoid compressing the victims' neck the way he did. It would appear Minneapolis PD has some serious issues with training standards at the moment. That or selection procedures.

 

A service pistol and a taser are nothing alike. Did she have a 45 or a 38? Either way, she's not going to grip a taser expecting recoil. Is there a video?

 

Best to wait and see the before passing judgement then. Lying implies a deliberate course of conduct or planned intention to shoot at the (unarmed/fleeing victim) for reasons unknown. And given the situation she would have to presumably have pretty good reasons, especially in the current climate in Minneapolis.

A mistake (In this case monumental blunder) implies nothing.

The voice recording and video cam evidence, when released should reveal for instance how many shots were fired, and were they aimed or instinctive etc .

 

I'm a former police officer and my father is a retired Chicago police officer. I absolutely understand that one has to make judgments in seconds or their own life may be in jeopardy. I am not discounting the adrenaline and stress she must have been feeling in that moment. I "get" it.

The problem lies in the fact that police officers are responsible for assessing situations and acting accordingly. It's not a panic-shoot-somebody-and-sort-out-the-alibi later kind of deal. What I mean is nobody would hesitate to absolve her of the same action if she was in another position. What if she was a gas station owner or doctor or homeless person? We would take a step back and say "this person overreacted but it was a high stress situation and they fired a weapon which killed the guy.". That's simply not the case or criteria we should be using when looking at police officers that kill. Part of her DUTIES is being in high stress situations and responding appropriately. That's the deal - point blank.

Here's an idea. If you can't approach a civilian, assess a situation, diffuse it (if necessary) and leave everybody alive, possibly handcuffed in the back of a squad car or issued a ticket and sent on their way...you are in the wrong profession.

 

Warning: Viewer discretion advised.

https://twitter.com/cathyrusson/status/1381658246780309506

 

I made a mistake thinking you knew more. Sure they have to get certified.

Watch some Mentor Pilot videos at YouTube.

 

Okay. Once through, and I notice she pointed what she claims she thought was a taser, for several seconds. I noticed it wasn't a taser right away. Is she that unqualified? How did he get back in the car? Why didn't they take him to the front of the car, like normal cops? I saw total incompetence. Like Joe the Plumber doing open heart surgery. People gonna die. I think it goes beyond training. Have any firefighters killed anyone recklessly? Why can't cops be as professional as firefighters? Screw that. Cops have badges and guns. They need to be as professional as surgeons. We could easily do this (or a reasonable facsimile), but the cost would be prohibitive.

 

Same here.

Hence my comment about training and selection procedures.

FYI just saw the video. She had what? 10-20 seconds with the firearm in her hand, had to maneuver around another officer to get a clear line of sight and still didn't notice? I double down on my training and selection processes comment.

Next guess? Minneapolis PD will be repositioning where officers carry their tasers.

 

Maybe they should COLOR the Tasers bright yellow or green so they cannot be confused.

 

She panicked. You can't do that as a cop. The whole gig is dealing with high stress situations. Don't suit up if you can't do it. Having a nervous Nellie partner who you have to entrust with your life is not a good formula. Assuming she keeps her job, nobody on that department will want to ride shotgun with her.

I really just think the "thought it was a taser" is their spin on it. Throw something against the wall and see what might stick.

 

It is a shame it happened, but the arrestee set up the conditions. "Turn around, take the cuffs, get in the car. Easy, peasy". But no. This idiot decides he's going to fight the cops today.
It is the victim that started the chain of events that caused his accidental death.

 

But...

In two years, police killed 86 people brandishing guns that look real — but aren’t

https://www.washingtonpost.com/inve...005c3a-b025-11e6-be1c-8cec35b1ad25_story.html

 

Couldn't see theirs in the video. The only ones I have ever seen/operated are colored differently for that reason.