Bang Bang you're dead
December 1, 2015 1:51 PM Subscribe
The County: the story of America's deadliest police. First in a five part series by the Guardian.
Here is some data which has been posted before
For those keeping count Police in Kern County, California, have killed more people per capita than in any other American county in 2015. Studies have found that most American police officers make it through entire careers without firing their service weapons however
Police in the US Kill Citizens at Over 70 Times the Rate of Other First-World Nations.
For those keeping count Police in Kern County, California, have killed more people per capita than in any other American county in 2015. Studies have found that most American police officers make it through entire careers without firing their service weapons however
Police in the US Kill Citizens at Over 70 Times the Rate of Other First-World Nations.
“Do you people really think that we train to get this wrong?” asked Williamson. “We don’t – we train to get this right.”
fuck have I got some bad news for you, sunshine
posted by Sternmeyer at 2:28 PM on December 1, 2015 [36 favorites]
fuck have I got some bad news for you, sunshine
posted by Sternmeyer at 2:28 PM on December 1, 2015 [36 favorites]
There are a few auto-play videos in the first link that start as you scroll past them, just fyi.
posted by hopeless romantique at 2:29 PM on December 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by hopeless romantique at 2:29 PM on December 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
Earlier this year, as principal of the city’s North Beardsley elementary school, Chief Williamson’s wife, Aimee, had her students write messages to the police department on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
L.E.A.D.? Really?
posted by emjaybee at 2:36 PM on December 1, 2015 [18 favorites]
L.E.A.D.? Really?
posted by emjaybee at 2:36 PM on December 1, 2015 [18 favorites]
This area was hit hardest by the downturn of 2008 and has had the worst rates of unemployment in the US in the years since. So, comparing it to NYC is a little off.
posted by Bee'sWing at 3:11 PM on December 1, 2015
posted by Bee'sWing at 3:11 PM on December 1, 2015
Not to take away from the main Guardian Article but I would completely discount the accuracy of the Free Thought Project article (last link). It took about 15 seconds to locate a source that more than doubles the number of 2014 police killings in China The linked article says the total for 2014 was 12 but it doesn't even include the 13 from the one article I linked. The Free Thought Project is relying on sources like Wikipedia . I didn't delve any further into it but would anyone seriously think the police in China were only responsible for 12 deaths during an entire year?
posted by Carbolic at 3:36 PM on December 1, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Carbolic at 3:36 PM on December 1, 2015 [3 favorites]
"James De La Rosa."
"I don't know who he is. Which one is he?"
"James De La Rosa"
...blank look of utter stupidity...
fuck.
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 3:36 PM on December 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
"I don't know who he is. Which one is he?"
"James De La Rosa"
...blank look of utter stupidity...
fuck.
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 3:36 PM on December 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
Yeah. I have spent some time in Bako. These numbers are worrying and the singular numbers for certain individuals. You know, if the department would people up and fire three guys, things would get immediately better. Way to close to home with activist family, media people there.
In that kind of town, you can't even discuss it. Bang.
posted by Oyéah at 3:51 PM on December 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
In that kind of town, you can't even discuss it. Bang.
posted by Oyéah at 3:51 PM on December 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
I didn't delve any further into it but does anyone really believe the police in China were only responsible for 12 deaths during an entire year?
I could believe police in China were only responsible for 12 deaths during an entire year. However, the Chinese state executes a ridiculous number of citizens every year; difficult to say how many since it's a state secret. China is a corrupt dictatorship. With all the problems that exist in the US, most people in the world would rather live in the US than in China. One thing that is "nice" about totalitarian societies is, they are very safe to be in, if you don't disturb the rule. Several of my friends loved Syria before the war, and Cuba. I think they are crazy, but reality is that these countries are very, very beautiful and unspoiled, and that they are safe and they are/were safe and friendly places to travel.
Different countries do different things. It's really hard to compare across nations, for many reasons. But in most countries were there is some sense of rule of law, gun-ownership is restricted, and as a consequence, the police can feel more safe while doing their job. The risk that a guy touching his waistband is carrying a gun is much smaller when guns are illegal. And thus the risk of police shooting people is very, very small.
posted by mumimor at 3:52 PM on December 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
I could believe police in China were only responsible for 12 deaths during an entire year. However, the Chinese state executes a ridiculous number of citizens every year; difficult to say how many since it's a state secret. China is a corrupt dictatorship. With all the problems that exist in the US, most people in the world would rather live in the US than in China. One thing that is "nice" about totalitarian societies is, they are very safe to be in, if you don't disturb the rule. Several of my friends loved Syria before the war, and Cuba. I think they are crazy, but reality is that these countries are very, very beautiful and unspoiled, and that they are safe and they are/were safe and friendly places to travel.
Different countries do different things. It's really hard to compare across nations, for many reasons. But in most countries were there is some sense of rule of law, gun-ownership is restricted, and as a consequence, the police can feel more safe while doing their job. The risk that a guy touching his waistband is carrying a gun is much smaller when guns are illegal. And thus the risk of police shooting people is very, very small.
posted by mumimor at 3:52 PM on December 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
Carbolic, the last link is comparing "first world" nations.
posted by BinGregory at 4:14 PM on December 1, 2015
posted by BinGregory at 4:14 PM on December 1, 2015
Carbolic, the last link is comparing "first world" nations.
And it includes China, which it says: China, whose population is 4 and 1/2 times the size of the United States, recorded 12 killings by law enforcement officers in 2014
But I think mumimor's comment brings up a good point. The police may not be killing people directly, but executions are just another kind of state killings and are just as suspect (in the US as well).
posted by thefoxgod at 4:19 PM on December 1, 2015
And it includes China, which it says: China, whose population is 4 and 1/2 times the size of the United States, recorded 12 killings by law enforcement officers in 2014
But I think mumimor's comment brings up a good point. The police may not be killing people directly, but executions are just another kind of state killings and are just as suspect (in the US as well).
posted by thefoxgod at 4:19 PM on December 1, 2015
Sorry my bad Carbolic, just reached the China stat.
posted by BinGregory at 4:20 PM on December 1, 2015
posted by BinGregory at 4:20 PM on December 1, 2015
Why the hell is some of the best investigative reporting in this country consistently done by a British paper? I'm starting to wonder if the whole revolution thing was a mistake. Right now a mega-Canada in North America looks like a good alternative to the current situation. Does anyone else want to join me in forming a new Loyalist party? We could dress in colonial garb and call ourselves Tories to fuck with people.
posted by TedW at 5:36 PM on December 1, 2015 [9 favorites]
posted by TedW at 5:36 PM on December 1, 2015 [9 favorites]
There used to be a podcast called 'Bad Cop no Donut' put on by some CKLN guy over a decade ago. It was noteworthy. From what I recall the Toronto cops leaned on him and he disappeared.
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 7:38 PM on December 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 7:38 PM on December 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
About Bad Cop No Donut:
There is a subreddit by that name.
I don't know whether there's a connection to the CKLN show or its host, though. There is none mentioned
on the home page of the sub.
posted by Puddle Jumper at 10:10 PM on December 1, 2015
There is a subreddit by that name.
I don't know whether there's a connection to the CKLN show or its host, though. There is none mentioned
on the home page of the sub.
posted by Puddle Jumper at 10:10 PM on December 1, 2015
It's worth noting, regarding the 'deadliest counties' listing, that Los Angeles (.04 per 100K residents), San Diego (.04), Riverside (.05), San Bernardino (1.0) and Kern Counties (1.5) taken together cover most of the populated metro sprawl of Southern California, along with its exurbs and hinterlands. Between them, 102 police killings year to date.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:12 AM on December 2, 2015
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:12 AM on December 2, 2015
All five pieces are now up
Pt I shootings in the city (FPP)
Pt II where deputies dole out rough justice
Pt III sexual assault and the price of silence
Pt IV partners in crime
Pt V a fight for answers
posted by adamvasco at 8:40 AM on December 11, 2015
Pt I shootings in the city (FPP)
Pt II where deputies dole out rough justice
Pt III sexual assault and the price of silence
Pt IV partners in crime
Pt V a fight for answers
posted by adamvasco at 8:40 AM on December 11, 2015
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posted by mudpuppie at 2:28 PM on December 1, 2015 [13 favorites]