NEWS REPORT

by M.C. Newberry

Sunday 7th June 2020 2:39 pm

The following is a piece of fiction within its context but I wish it had been seen at the time in place of the

inflammatory assumption and supposition.

"A man's suspicious behaviour in Minneapolis led to the required attendance of police to investigate.

The ensuing interaction between the suspect and the officers resulted in the former being held on the

ground under forcible restraint, the outcome of which was the subsequent death of the suspect.

Ongoing enquiry is underway into the cause of this tragedy. Further reports to follow."

(Source: Responsible Media Inc.).

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Comments

M.C. Newberry

Mon 8th Jun 2020 18:25

JC - I agree that it would seem so. However, the actual application
of handcuffs is not always easy, not least due to the behaviour of
the person under restraint. A large powerful man with adrenaline at work can defeat efforts by a number of people. That said, the tragedy that unfolded in the case of George Floyd requires diligent
enquiry to determine the how and why of the grievous outcome.

John Coopey

Mon 8th Jun 2020 17:13

I accept totally the need for law enforcers to use the appropriate force to deal with miscreants. In Floyd’s case it was fatally exceeded when the obvious alternative of cuffs could have been used.

M.C. Newberry

Mon 8th Jun 2020 00:44

I think you know the answer to that one. But the media has a responsibility to report without fear or favour, resisting the
temptation to steer a band wagon that is all too often sent in a
one-way dangerous direction.
I recall struggling to subdue one of two men who were trashing a
pub and my grip on him was meant to prevent him continuing the
likelihood of him inflicting any harm to me. The circumstances,
before and during that process, were to be for the consideration of,
and judgement by the courts. free from any assumption. antipathy to authority or any other attitude of mind that might influence the airing of the process and its outcome. Certainly not the ethnic origin of the prisoner which seems de rigueur in the media these days - as if some sort of "this is how we approach reporting
incidents of this sort" system is in operation.

John Coopey

Sun 7th Jun 2020 20:43

In your experience as a former police officer, MC, would it have been your preference to cuff him with the assistance of your 3 other colleagues as he lay on the ground for nine minutes or kneel on his neck for that time?

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