http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/06/16/seattle-police-guild-defends-officers-punch/?test=latestnews

CRIME & COURTS

Seattle Police Guild Defends Officer’s Punch

Published June 16, 2010 | Associated Press

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Seattle Police Officers Guild President Rich O’Neil says an officer was justified in punching a young woman who shoved him in a dispute over jaywalking.

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I had a conversation about this incident.

Over jaywalking? And, how old are the two girls?

FRIEND: It was the fact that the officer was surrounded by urban yutes, and the woman pushed him. They are trained how to handle themselves in situations like this….as they commented later, there have been many instances where police officers were brutually attacked when they took a passive stance. His aggressive action may have prevented something much worse. I need to get you a new pair of glasses, or contact lenses! :-)

No. (no new glasses needed)

I’ve seen the video. Couple of points:

(1) Jaywalking? It’s like the Gooferment is using its force to pick a fight with the folks.

(2) The girls were clearly out of control and were inciting trouble.

(3) The “citizens” didn’t not help “their” police diffuse the situation, calm the the agitated woman who got punched, or assist in protecting “their” officer. (imho citizens have an affirmative duty to enforce the laws made in their name).

(4) The police officer MAY have over reacted. But alone, and facing multiple opponents, and a potential mob, I’m not going to criticize him. (I ain’t walked in those moccasins.) Faced with that situation, if he truly felt threatened he’d have been justified imho in drawing his weapon. I think that he was foolish to get in close combat with “crazy people” who might have had a knife or other “blade”. When they resisted, I’d have stepped back, drawn my weapon, and directed them to step back and lie down on the ground. I’d support that.

The punch in an attempt to detain may have been an over reaction.

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And, how old are these girls anyway?

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