I agree but it is hard for cops though because they never know what they dealing with.
It is very likely that the cop didn’t forsee him falling into the wall, which in this case may be reckless, but I wouldn’t say it was an unreasonable use of force. He was probably just trying to take him down as quickly as possible, not knowing whether he was armed or not.
I think police often have to act decisively, or not at all, but with very little opportunity for half-measures. They have a tiered course of action and once they have cause to step it up a level they tend to go all out on that particularly level of engagement. If trying to apprehend a suspect, take him down fast. If a suspect draws a weapon and threatens, shoot to kill.
It is like when people ask why a police officer didn’t just shoot somebody “in the leg, or arm”.
They are trained to tell suspects to stop... if the suspect then doesn't comply then the use of force might be deemed reasonable. He tackled a man who clearly was in the act of stopping. If he was fearful that the suspect would be armed proper procedure is to instruct him to show his hands and approach him cautiously with the weapon drawn (would be my guess). You certainly don't throw caution to the wind and run right up on him empty-handed. The fact that he rushed him empty-handed betrays his mindset that he wasn't in any danger from the suspect.
There are many good cops, but too many cops are also bullies... I don't know why we continue to make excuses for these kind of behavior when it only serves to compromise the integity of the force and tarnish the reputations of the good cops out there. Hard to rest all blame on the individuals though, much of the fault lies in outdated and/or heavy-handed training methods.
Even if he couldn't foresee that the guy would have ended up in a coma from being slammed to the ground in that manner, he should have at least been aware of that risk... which makes his actions "reckless" indeed, it doesn't have to be knowing or intentional for it to be illegal.
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Kaliman, to say that "he should not have run" is like saying Gates should not have mouthed off at Crowley. True... but besides the point. Poor judgment by a civilian should not be an excuse for police abuse. It's not against the law to run from the cops.... believe it or not.
