This is the result of that training:
Why did I make the image so small? Because it is really ugly. The full size image can be found here.
So how about the trial of the police officers?
An Orange County jury Monday found two former Fullerton police officers accused of killing a schizophrenic homeless man, Kelly Thomas, not guilty.
Manuel Ramos and Jay Cicinelli were charged with striking Kelly Thomas with a baton and a stun gun in a beating that left him comatose. He died five days later.
[snip]
Ramos’ attorney, John Barnett, told reporters: “These peace officers were doing their jobs…they did what they were trained to do.”
I believe that. But it is right up there with “I was only following orders”.
Here is another case of police doing what they were trained to do.
I must say that here in Rockford police are much better trained in general. But that training and a special squad for dealing with the mentally ill only came about after an altercation with a mentally ill homeless man left him dead. However, the police have not entirely eliminated the problem that was brought to light with the shooting of Mark Barmore. One thing that contributes to all this is that we used to lock up the mentally ill for their own good. Now we have freed them to die on the street in the cold and get shot by police. I’m not sure if that is an improvement.
Update:
The deaf man in the video above, Pearl Pearson, may actually get some justice.
Interestingly, Pearl’s own son is a police officer, as was his son-in-law, who is now a deputy sheriff. He respects law enforcement and knows how to respond when pulled over. It is evident that there is no reason for someone like Pearl to be hurt like this by those who are meant to protect and serve.
We shall see.