'Officer of the Year' Caught on Camera Attacking Man Who Asked for Help

[dballance]

42. The presumption of innocent until proven guilty has never really worked and cops know it.

The police report this officer wrote certainly appears to be a complete fabrication. I doubt it's his first time at that rodeo. Law enforcement officers are trained on how and what to write in their reports to make them seem unimpeachable in court. I have no doubt that if you pulled the reports of officers within a precinct or department they would read very much alike. Same words, phrases, descriptions of multiple and various situations. But all with some telling, provocative action that caused the "justified" use of force.

Courts and juries are naturally pre-disposed to believe the police rather than the accused. It's human nature. In the back of most jurors' minds is the that thought "Well they must have been doing something to get arrested." It's not intentional or malicious - it just is they way things really are. Just being in court makes people think you're guilty of something.

Police hate the cameras because, as in this case, they show the lie that is some of the worst people in law enforcement.

As much as I hate the thought of being monitored more I appreciate that the cameras were there in this case.

And yes, I do realize, as I hope everyone else does, the cameras could have just as easily vindicated the officer had his version of the story been true. So, good cops should welcome the additional proof of their actions found on video. What is it we're frequently told be those in power? It's "If you haven't done anything wrong you have nothing to worry about" isn't it? Well, officer Wilson. I think you have something to worry about.