The Truth About Police Use Of Force: Part 1

On July 5, 2016, in my home state of Louisiana, a man by the name of Alton Sterling was shot and killed by a Baton Rouge, LA, Police Officer. This resulted in demonstrations (peaceful and non-peaceful) throughout the nation. On July 7, 2016, during a protest in Dallas, TX, five police officers were ambushed and assassinated by a lone gunman. This killer traveled to Dallas and went to this demonstration with the sole purpose of killing police officers. On July 17, 2016, in Baton Rouge, La. Another lone gunman shot six police officers. Three officers were initially killed, and three were wounded. One officer died several years later as a result of the injuries he received. As with the killer in Dallas, this gunman was not from Baton Rouge. He came from another state with the sole intention of assassinating police officers. 

Baton Rouge, LA, is around 125 miles from where I live and the agency where I worked. My former agency has a reputation throughout the state as professional, competent, and one that any other agency can always call when assistance is needed. It wasn't a surprise that we were one of the first ones who were called in to assist when the demonstrations, which turned into riots, began happening. I was tasked with assembling a "field force" contingency to deploy to Baton Rouge and help with the demonstrations that had turned into riots. I knew that I was sending them into a volatile situation. They would be placed in physical danger, and their every move would be scrutinized. They would be provoked, unlike in any other situation they had ever been in. Even though they were adequately trained and properly equipped, they would be in a dangerous situation. The team I assembled was some of the best we had. They were the best we had, from field deputies to the on-scene incident commander. While the demonstrations/riots in Baton Rouge were volatile and violent at times, they were short-lived compared to previous incidents in other parts of the country. This was due to the leadership of the Louisiana State Police, the Baton Rouge Police Department, and the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office. They had an organized, strategic plan that helped curb the violence and swiftly ended the rioting. This was also due to cops like the ones from my agency. Their professionalism and courage during an extremely dangerous situation were second to none. Demonstrations continued but, for the most part, were peaceful, and violence was minimal. 

That was, of course, until July 17, 2016, when six Cops came under fire in a planned assassination. Our Deputies had only been home a few days when this horrific event happened. Shortly after the shooting of these brave men, a local pastor in my hometown organized a panel to address community/police relations. Our Chief Deputy was invited to be on the forum. He asked me to accompany him. The pastor who organized it did an excellent job assembling a diverse panel. Our Chief did a good job and made some excellent points. Everyone on the panel was respectful, even when opposing points were made. These types of candid but civil discussions are what solve problems. Although he was respectful, one local attorney made some points that I felt were off base and a part of a false narrative that was "fueling the fire" and putting an even larger wedge between the community and law enforcement. I always try to keep an open mind and welcome the thoughts of those who don't think like me. In my opinion, that is the only way we learn and get better. Even though I have a lot of respect for this attorney and consider him a friend, his comments did somewhat annoy me. We had just sent a group of deputies to Baton Rouge, where they were placed in grave danger. In my opinion, views like his contributed to the danger our Deputies and others were put in.

I respected him before that night and still did even after he gave views I disagreed with. But what he did afterward made my respect for him grow. After it was over and people were starting to leave, he sought me out and approached me. He said he considered me a friend and hoped he didn't offend me. I told him that no offense was taken, but I disagreed with some of his views and comments. I asked him if he had a few minutes and would allow me to give my opinion. He, without hesitation, said yes. That "few minutes" turned into almost an hour. During that time, I gave him what I feel is the truth about police use of force and why we have incidents like what happened in Baton Rouge and other parts of the country.

When an officer-involved shooting happens, the first question is always, "Is the shooting justified." Even though the facts will always be the facts, opinions will often vary regarding the answer to that question. As I explained to my friend that night, that's an important question and should be of concern. But, if our goal is to prevent deadly encounters between law enforcement and civilians, then we must shift our focus. We are focused on the end when our focus should be on the beginning. Once an incident results in deadly force, lives are forever changed. Historically, there is a consistency with the majority of deadly force encounters between law enforcement and civilians. That consistency is this; it begins with the civilian not complying with lawful orders issued by the law enforcement officer. If we genuinely want to change the ending, let's start at the beginning.