Gavin Mackintosh-
At a press conference on Saturday, Charlotte–Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney, said ”people have the choice to obey loud”, verbal commands.
His comments came as he announced the decision to release additional information and footage from two police cameras that captured the shooting.
He presented himself to the press to answer questions about the footage from body-worn cameras and dashboard cameras, as well as physical evidence, according to Putney.
“We are releasing everything that we can at this point,” Putney said. He said officials’ delay in releasing the videos was due to protecting the integrity of their investigation.
Among the photographs released to the press, are an ankle holster and a marijuana “blunt”.
“In a display of their public time line of events, the police chief said his officers were on a separate warrant operation when they saw Scott hold up a gun.”
However, this version was slightly complicated by the police chief’s account, when he later stated that Scott had earlier committed an offence.
The sight of him with both marijuana and a hand gun made police feel there was a safety issue that posed an imminent threat to their lives.
DISSAPOINTING
One disappointing element is that the police chief could not explain why his officers initially made no reference to the new claim that Mr. Scott had committed an earlier offence.
After verbal commands to drop the gun, police say Scott left the vehicle. The police chief repeatedly referred to the incidence as a tragic incident, but refused to give any assurances that a repetition of that scenario would not occur in future situations.
He said people have a choice to respond to loud verbal commands made by the police. He is right in that respect, for this should be a simple instruction to follow.
However, even a fact so clear may not necessarily warrant the killing of a man who is posing any direct threat to police.
lice Chief Kerr: The Choice To Obey Loud And verbal Commands.