shakran

The logical extension to this argument is that they should be allowed to shoot all suspects because one of them might have a gun. It's much safer for the cop if the suspect is dead, and so "as safely as possible" requires that the police murder everyone they come into contact with.

The cops signed on to do a dangerous job, yes, and that's why they're given tools like guns and bulletproof vests and massive backup from fellow officers, helicopters, SWAT teams, tanks, and when necessary, the National Guard. A man lying face down, spread eagled, with empty hands, is not holding a knife, and even if he was, would have to turn over in order to use it effectively. If they thought he might have a knife, they should have stopped about 10-12 feet away, with their guns drawn, and gotten plenty of backup to handle the situation safely. It is frankly insane to suggest that this officer only kicked the suspect in the head because the cop thought he was about to get stabbed. That isn't what happened, and everyone in here knows it.

Furthermore I rather resent the implication that I am a sheep and the valliant Men In Blue are my shepherds. I am not a sheep, to be ordered around without grounds, hit, and sometimes raped by the rancher. Just because they work for me and the rest of my fellow citizens does not mean they have carte blanche to do anything they feel like doing at any time they feel like doing it.

If we allow police officers to think it's OK to beat unarmed defenseless people because we "sheep" are afraid that Officer Wonderful won't be around to protect us, then we are exchanging our rights and liberties for a misplaced sense of safety; misplaced especially in light of the fact that you are advocating allowing the cops to beat on us whenever they want. Franklin had it right. Those who do that deserve neither liberty nor safety.