Sean Bell Shooting: A Tragedy for All

Demands are put on police officers of this country to be something more than human. Their judgment is expected to be infallible and their actions are expected to be noble. At times, the police remind the citizens of the nation that they are in fact human beings, and at times mistakes will be made. Unfortunately, when a police officer makes a mistake it tends to be more serious than work related mistakes in other professions. The mistake of a police officer can cause lives to be lost and families to be wrecked. Human error in the line of duty can have devastating consequences. That has never been more evident than in the case of Sean Bell, the victim of a police shooting.

NYPD Police Officers thought that Sean Bell was attempting to run them over in his vehicle. They had followed him and his friends out of a club one night while under the assumption that the group was going to the vehicle to get weapons. Instead, Bell and his friends got in the car to leave. The police drew their weapons, and Bell put the car in gear and tried to leave. The police reacted, fearing for their own safety. They fired fifty shots at Bell and his friends.

Bell was killed and charges were brought against the officers. The court found them to be innocent of all charges. It was deemed a tragedy, but not a criminal act. It had been a very unfortunate misunderstanding.

The situation the officers were in justified the shooting. It was a tragedy of epic proportions, but there was no ill will toward the victim. Sean Bell was not killed out of malice. He was killed due to the fear of the officers. A police officer is supposed to serve and protect. Oftentimes, the public forgets that the officer's own protection is also important. While the Sean Bell case was tragic, the court made the right decision. With the officers' fear that their lives were on the line, they did what they thought was best at the time. Now, looking back they regret their actions, but a mistake should not be considered a criminal act.

If the three police officers accused in the Sean Bell case would have been found guilty, public safety as we know it would be forever changed. More police officers' lives would be lost because they would be scared to fire a weapon. Human error would be a means for criminal prosecution. Instead of our protectors, police would become our enemies. Worse than that, criminals would become more brazen due to the lack of police officer rights.

In a world less violent, a case such as Sean Bell's would require closer police scrutiny. However, the United States is known for attacking police officers. That causes police officers to be prepared when they feel as if their lives are in danger. While Sean Bell was an innocent victim, it is understandable how such a shooting can occur. Many times, a police shooting is completely justified because an officer's life was really in danger.

The case of Donald Bivens is a classic case of the danger officers are put in on a daily basis. Bivens was in a hotel room, making 911 calls. There was no emergency. It would appear that his mental illness was driving him to calling 911 repeatedly. Officers responded and warned him to stop making the calls. He agreed and the officers left. The calls started again. When the officers arrived the second time, Bivens was not nearly as accommodating. He did not want the officers to enter his hotel room. When one of the police officers was finally able to enter the room, Bivens went after him with a knife. Because the officer's life was in danger, another officer shot and killed Bivens. If Bivens had not been killed, it is safe to say that the officer probably would have been. Lethal force was necessary to protect the responding officers.

The case of George Brittain, Jr. illustrates the idea of a car as a deadly weapon. Police officers, armed with a warrant, tried to apprehend Brittain. Instead of complying with the officers, Brittain used his car to hit the police officers. Officers then had to fire into the vehicle in an attempt to stop Brittain. Brittain died and officers were injured. It was a justifiable police shooting, as officers' lives were in danger.

The nature of police work is often taken for granted. Citizens expect officers to put their lives on the line to protect the innocent. However, there are times when it is the police officer that requires the protection. Occasionally, an officer will make a mistake, as he is only human. Still, the lives of police officers are just as valuable as the lives of innocent citizens. Everyone should have the right to protect himself against danger.

Sarah Antonacci, "Coroner's Jury Rules Shooting by City Police was Justified," sj-r.com

Melissa Tanji, "Man Dead after Police Shooting," mauinewes.com