New Orleans Cops in the News

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http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=4291490

Did NOPD Use Excessive Force in Deadly Shooting?
Dec 27, 2005, 04:24 PM

Was it an appropriate use of force, or were New Orleans Police trigger-happy? Monday's shooting on St. Charles Avenue has raised questions of whether police used excessive force by killing a man who threatened officers with a knife.

As the situation built up to the actual shooting, a witness videotaped the whole thing. A lot can be learned by watching the tape, but one local defense attorney wants to learn more about why a man holding a three-inch blade was shot to death.

The home video was taken by a local resident, Phin Percy, from the second story window of his father's apartment near Lee Circle. In the video, the victim can be seen holding a knife in his right hand. More than a dozen New Orleans police officers can also be seen with their guns drawn.

What can't be seen is the moment police opened fire on the man. At that point, Percy was headed downstairs to get a better view and turned his camera off. Police say that's when they began using pepper spray, which didn't work, and then the man took a swipe at an officer.

NOPD spokesman David Adams said, "The officer actually had to back up to keep from being stabbed in his chest, and at that point, that's when he was shot."

Police won't say how many times the man was shot or how many officers pulled the trigger, but ten shell casings were found on the ground.

9 News showed the video to defense attorney Jill Craft, who specializes in what she calls "police excess" -- the point when police force violates constitutional rights. Watching the video she said aloud, "Do the count, there's at least 19 weapons drawn."

Craft is questioning the use of deadly force in the situation. "In the academy, officers are trained that there are five levels of force. First being officer presence, then open hand, closed hand, then drawn weapon, and then deadly force. When you move from one to five, there's got to be a reason for doing so."

But New Orleans Police are defending the officers' reaction. "They did everything they were supposed to do," said Adams. "The pepper spray had no effect on him at all. When he began swinging at the officer, they had no other choice but to shoot him."

Craft disagrees. "It looks like 19 officers with their weapons trained on him. You can't tell me someone couldn't have shot the guy in the leg, you just can't!"

9 News tried to talk with local law enforcement to get their take on the situation, but everyone we reached out to preferred not to comment. Police are still investigating the shooting, and Sgt. David Adams says the officers involved have been reassigned pending the probe.

The name of the 38-year-old victim has not yet been released.

Reporter: Marie Centanni

My favorite quote: "You can't tell me someone couldn't have shot the guy in the leg, you just can't!"

Gawd, is this woman a special kind of stupid or what?

[Bad Karma]

Yes. That woman is that special kind of stupid.

Peace

[Cliff Hargrave]

I vote for idiot also.

Every time someone with a knife gets shot, there is a big uproar by cop-hating folks. I have seen it here with people saying they should have shot the knife out of their hand, shot them in the leg, thrown a net on them (never been issued a net myself), and any other stupid thing you can think of.

[Rasputin]

No cries for the cops to get issued knives? That way, when a bad guy brandishes a blade the cops can pull theirs out and duke it out, blade vs. blade, just like Tommy Lee Jones and Steven Seagal in Under Seige.

[TonyU]

Idiot for sure, the lady that is.

Also, never bring a knife to a gunfight.

[Kim Chi]

I can only assume that the N.O. Police Force does not use Tasers.

Too bad....This story should be shown to those who think Tasers are inhumane
and/or dangerous, as an illustration of the alternative.




P.S.: As for "Constitutional Rights", what rights do you retain when you attempt to stab a police officer in the chest? Lawyers................

[Musubi Dojo]

Swinging a knife at a crowd of cops with guns drawn qualifies one for Darwin Awards...

That being said the guy was probably out of his mind on drugs or bozze or something and a few cops with riot shields and billy clubs probably* could have clubbed the guy down without killing him, provided they had riot shields and clubs and were willing to risk it. I remember seeing a video of a guy with a sword taken down with high pressure water and riot shields. No criticism of NOP, just observation. I wasn't there and have no idea.

*It sounds like the knife wielder set the pace when he attacked, by then it was way too late for a strategic take down. Like I said, swinging a knife at a bunch guys with guns is good way to get dead fast.

My uncle has 25 years in as a constable and Detective/Sargent in Metro Toronto. I'll never understand all things he's seen and done, but I have seen the toll it takes on the guy doing the job. No cop pulls a trigger unless they figure there's no other way.

As for the "shoot him in the leg" comment, special kinda stupid about sums it up.

Cheers
c