Face of a Killer

Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke was charged with murder, and rightfully so.  His use of deadly force was clearly not justified.  Anyone who's been in law enforcement for any amount of time knows that. Those who haven't, well, here you go.

Mr. Van Dyke blatantly violated Chicago PD's own use of force policy.  The CPD's criteria for the employment of deadly force requires that the assailant display "actions" that "will likely cause death or serious physical injury."

Seventeen-year-old Laquan McDonald, as evidenced by the dash-cam video released (by judge's order) by the CPD, was unjustly killed.

Typically, three factors must be in place for someone to use deadly force:

Ability

Jeopardy

Opportunity

• To have ABILITY, someone must have the power/strength to kill or cripple someone.  Laquan McDonald likely met that criterion.  He was young, mobile, and likely pretty strong at 17.
• JEOPARDY requires the assailant be acting in a manner that can reasonably be interpreted as the person had the intent to kill or cripple someone. Laquan McDonald very obviously was not acting in that manner.
• OPPORTUNITY an assailant must be capable of immediately employing deadly force.  For example, someone with a bat who is 10 feet away from you definitely has the opportunity to do so.  He does not have the opportunity if you're on the other side of a 6ft chain link fence.  Laquan McDonald had a 3" folding knife, and was, according to some reports, 10ft away from Van Dyke.  I suppose McDonald had opportunity to employ deadly force immediately.  In this case, it seems a little subjective. You can obviously be killed by a 3" knife, but it would have to be perfectly placed.

In the end, McDonald did not all the criteria.  He had the ability, and he arguably had the opportunity, but he did not put anyone's life in jeopardy by walking away from/parallel to the officers in the video.  He didn't lunge, he didn't raise up the knife, and he didn't display any intent of attacking anyone.

Idiot Cop

Today's Dumbass in Government is Texas State Trooper Brian Encinia.  If you've not heard of Encinia, here's a link full of information.

This picture is intentionally tiny, like Encinia's professional ethics and level of common human decency...and probably his dick.

This Texas-sized piece of shit exhibited some of the most egregious unprofessionalism I've seen or heard of in recent memory.  It is my sincere hope that he is fired and banned from ever serving in a law enforcement position again.

Mr. Encinia - I can pretty much say whatever the fuck I want when I get pulled over by a law enforcement officer.  I am under no obligation to be polite, or to be courteous to you.  I always am courteous with the police, because I was raised right (you obviously weren't), and because there are a few dicks like you in the law enforcement community who might bludgeon me for hurting your feelings.  You, on the other hand, are absolutely bound by a code of professional conduct that mandates you exhibit the utmost patience and professionalism when dealing with the public.

You are an embarrassment to law enforcement officers everywhere.  I unclog my nose at you.

Dumbass Formerly in Government

One-time Glendale, Missouri police officer Matthew Pappert has been all over the news the last few days.  He was initially suspended from the department for comments on Facebook.  He was fired following an internal investigation.

Two gems this upstanding citizen posted:

1.  "These protesters should have been put down like a rabid dog the first night.”

2.  “I’m sick of these protesters.  You are a burden on society and a blight on the community.”

His lawyer said, "Officer Pappert is deeply remorseful about what he posted on social media.  We ask for the same spirit of forgiveness and the opportunity for redemption."

How do you forgive someone for who they are?  He’s exposed himself as an oppressive thug and a tyrant.  How do you forgive someone for expressing a desire to kill and squelch the Constitutional rights of his fellow citizens?  I’ll tell you how – You don’t.

Pappert got his chance to play policeman, and has proven with words that he is absolutely unsuitable for such a position of trust.  Good riddance.  Enjoy your new career.