Michael Bennett: Police singled me out, put a gun near my head

[Patler]

If I heard a shot fired in a casino/near a casino the first thing I would do is duck behind a machine or under a table. Find out where I thought the shot was from and run the other direction when it looked clear.

I don't think anyone is saying that in itself is suspicious. But, if I was in that situation, after the police arrived I would run past them in the direction toward where the police came from, which is more likely to be safe. Running away in the direction the police are going is more likely to be unsafe, not yet cleared of any shooter. It appears most people in the video did run to where the police had been.

It may very well be that Bennett did not even see the police, and simply took the first way out that he saw. I can see that as a very real possibility. But for nearly 6 minutes of the video the police were told a shooter was there, and by their contemporaneous statements on the video saw an individual hiding and then running away from them as they approached. I don't think it is unreasonable that they detained that individual for a brief time.

Believing as they did, what should they have done? Should they let everyone run away if they didn't see a gun in his hand? SHould they stop and question everyone they encounter. Or, should they push in quickly and check those who act in any way suspiciously to them?

[woodbuck27]

I don't think anyone is saying that in itself is suspicious. But, if I was in that situation, after the police arrived I would run past them in the direction toward where the police came from, which is more likely to be safe. Running away in the direction the police are going is more likely to be unsafe, not yet cleared of any shooter. It appears most people in the video did run to where the police had been.

It may very well be that Bennett did not even see the police, and simply took the first way out that he saw. I can see that as a very real possibility. But for nearly 6 minutes of the video the police were told a shooter was there, and by their contemporaneous statements on the video saw an individual hiding and then running away from them as they approached. I don't think it is unreasonable that they detained that individual for a brief time.

Believing as they did, what should they have done? Should they let everyone run away if they didn't see a gun in his hand? SHould they stop and question everyone they encounter. Or, should they push in quickly and check those who act in any way suspiciously to them?

I certainly am not going to run towards the Police with their guns pointing in my direction if I'm a Black Man nor should any man do so.

The Police are in a tense situation and God 'only' knows how stressed out they are and just might interpret my running in their direction as an attack.

Nope ! I am getting my ass pointed towards the Police as I run away from them.

[Patler]

I certainly am not going to run towards the Police with their guns pointing in my direction if I'm a Black Man nor should any man do so.

The Police are in a tense situation and God 'only' knows how stressed out they are and just might interpret my running in their direction as an attack.

Nope ! I am getting my ass pointed towards the Police as I run away from them.

Running away from the cops has proven to be fatal in a number of such situations. I would wait until they got to me, then I would run to where they came from. If there is an active shooter, and you run away in the direction the cops are going, don't you have a better chance of running toward the shooter?

[mraynrand]

Running away from the cops has proven to be fatal in a number of such situations. I would wait until they got to me, then I would run to where they came from. If there is an active shooter, and you run away in the direction the cops are going, don't you have a better chance of running toward the shooter?

I was removing an AC from a window at my church, and a neighbor called the police, thinking I was breaking in (unbeknownst to me). The police arrived soon (five cars if you can believe it) and surrounded the building. I saw one out the window and asked him what was going on. He told me to come to the door. I opened the door and stared into two draw semi-automatics rifles and a pistol. I did exactly as they told me. Eventually I gave them my wallet and proved who I was and why I was there, but could have been shot pretty easy had I not followed instructions. There were no body cams. Honestly, I would not run at all. I would get on the ground and put my hands behind my head and await instructions if police are involved.

[pbmax]

I was removing an AC from a window at my church, and a neighbor called the police, thinking I was breaking in (unbeknownst to me). The police arrived soon (five cars if you can believe it) and surrounded the building. I saw one out the window and asked him what was going on. He told me to come to the door. I opened the door and stared into two draw semi-automatics rifles and a pistol. I did exactly as they told me. Eventually I gave them my wallet and proved who I was and why I was there, but could have been shot pretty easy had I not followed instructions. There were no body cams. Honestly, I would not run at all. I would get on the ground and put my hands behind my head and await instructions if police are involved.

On its face, pulling guns about a property crime seems like unnecessary escalation. Did they have reason to expect you to be armed? I understand they don't want you to get the drop on them, but given you were already seen, seems like there is another way to safety approach.

[bobblehead]

On its face, pulling guns about a property crime seems like unnecessary escalation. Did they have reason to expect you to be armed? I understand they don't want you to get the drop on them, but given you were already seen, seems like there is another way to safety approach.

I disagree Pb, and I respect your opinion in most things. An officer approaching ANY individual in a possible crime probably should have his firearm drawn until he has reason to believe he DOESN'T need it.

[mraynrand]

I disagree Pb, and I respect your opinion in most things. An officer approaching ANY individual in a possible crime probably should have his firearm drawn until he has reason to believe he DOESN'T need it.

Particularly in cases where they can't see what they're facing.

Our personal perspectives are so dramatically different than the police officer. We know we're innocent, but they have to assume the worst, or they get shot. Especially in areas with high crime, high levels of gang activity, stolen gun possession, etc. etc.

[call_me_ishmael]

I was removing an AC from a window at my church, and a neighbor called the police, thinking I was breaking in (unbeknownst to me). The police arrived soon (five cars if you can believe it) and surrounded the building. I saw one out the window and asked him what was going on. He told me to come to the door. I opened the door and stared into two draw semi-automatics rifles and a pistol. I did exactly as they told me. Eventually I gave them my wallet and proved who I was and why I was there, but could have been shot pretty easy had I not followed instructions. There were no body cams. Honestly, I would not run at all. I would get on the ground and put my hands behind my head and await instructions if police are involved.

And you think that's right? Some idiot cop could have slipped a bit and ended you. And for what? Where was the threat that justified them aiming live weapons at you? Insane.

Cops are not the best of the best. They're not the worst either, but they hardly represent our finest. Many are jags, and you're lucky to be alive after an encounter like that. If you were anything but an old white man you'd probably be dead.

[mraynrand]

And you think that's right? Some idiot cop could have slipped a bit and ended you. And for what? Where was the threat that justified them aiming live weapons at you? Insane.

Cops are not the best of the best. They're not the worst either, but they hardly represent our finest. Many are jags, and you're lucky to be alive after an encounter like that. If you were anything but an old white man you'd probably be dead.

I know, it's all sunshine and rainbows in your little safe corner of reality. But there are a lot of places in the US of A where crime rates are high, people rob and shoot each other, and that thin blue line exists to protect people. Even churches exist in high crime areas, section 8 housing areas, where people have stolen weapons that they use against each other and the cops. Yeah, the cops draw guns when they don't know what's inside a building they think may be being robbed by an unknown number of unknown people. Again, I recommend following police instructions. It lowers your chances of being shot dead.

[Patler]

I know, it's all sunshine and rainbows in your little safe corner of reality. But there are a lot of places in the US of A where crime rates are high, people rob and shoot each other, and that thin blue line exists to protect people. Even churches exist in high crime areas, section 8 housing areas, where people have stolen weapons that they use against each other and the cops. Yeah, the cops draw guns when they don't know what's inside a building they think may be being robbed by an unknown number of unknown people. Again, I recommend following police instructions. It lowers your chances of being shot dead.

A man washing windows on the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel building in downtown Milwaukee was shot yesterday when a drive-by gunman missed the parked car he was shooting at:

http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/c...ice/642951001/

[woodbuck27]

Running away from the cops has proven to be fatal in a number of such situations. I would wait until they got to me, then I would run to where they came from. If there is an active shooter, and you run away in the direction the cops are going, don't you have a better chance of running toward the shooter?

In the situation I found myself in and it was a Bar (Club); when a disgruntled Patron (he had been previously tossed by the Bouncers) entered it with a gun drawn. What actually myself and others did was ASAP........ hit the floor. We got down really quickly. This was just prior to any Police being called.

[Brandon494]

Running away from the cops has proven to be fatal in a number of such situations. I would wait until they got to me?

Only if you're a darker shade but it's easy to Monday QB what you would have done in that situation from your home computer.

[bobblehead]

Only if you're a darker shade but it's easy to Monday QB what you would have done in that situation from your home computer.

This I do agree with. Thing is I'm not faulting Bennett for anything he did that night. But what I'm saying is...shit happens. Its not always about the cops being racist. Sometimes you acted reasonably, but a cop saw it different. Again, he was released after they figured out he wasn't a bad guy. I have been detained....by a george zimmerman wannabe security guard. It was comical to me. Just like with Bennett, afterwards the head of security informed me of why and sent me on my merry old way. I didn't tweet about it or anything. Imagine that.

[woodbuck27]

This I do agree with. Thing is I'm not faulting Bennett for anything he did that night. But what I'm saying is...shit happens. Its not always about the cops being racist. Sometimes you acted reasonably, but a cop saw it different. Again, he was released after they figured out he wasn't a bad guy. I have been detained....by a george zimmerman wannabe security guard. It was comical to me. Just like with Bennett, afterwards the head of security informed me of why and sent me on my merry old way. I didn't tweet about it or anything. Imagine that.

Stray dogs are treated better than Michael Bennett was by these Policeman.

It is too clear he has a legitimate complaint.

[bobblehead]

Stray dogs are treated better than Michael Bennett was by these Policeman.

It is too clear he has a legitimate complaint.

You have clearly never been forcefully detained by law enforcement.