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The New York Times examines the practice of handcuffing prisoners who have been shot by the police, just a few days after the death of Khiel Coppin. The mentally disturbed Brooklyn 18-year-old was handcuffed by cops after they shot him ten times, thinking he was armed with a gun. It turns out, Coppin was armed only with a hairbrush. According to the Times, the practice of handcuffing someone who is already prone and wounded is something that can inflame onlookers who've arrived on the scene following an incident, although there is a rationale behind the practice.
People in and out of law enforcement, including some critics of the Police Department, say there are many reasons for the use of handcuffs in shooting situations, even after the bullets stop flying. It is meant to keep everyone — officers, civilians and the shot person himself — from further harm, in the same way a doctor might have to restrain a patient before administering medicine.Critics, however, see the handcuffing of a possibly mortally wounded person as a final indignity perpetuated as a form of rough street justice. Another shooting victim who was cuffed as he lay dying was Sean Bell. Lawyer Ron Kuby is a critic of the practice. “Cuffing people after they’ve been shot, or when they’re dead, or when they’re dying is one of the ugliest, most barbaric, unnecessarily horrifying things that the police do, and they do it as a matter of course.” Indeed they have to, if following the procedures outlined in the NYPD's police manual that specifies that injured persons in such situations be cuffed behind their backs. What do you think? Should cops be cuffing people based on their condition, regardless of their state, or is there no point in restraining a dead or severely wounded person?
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Like one man once said, "once a negro, always a negro",I say cuff the brotha , and probe his rectum.
thanks for the disgusting racism, asharpt.
its part of the paranoid NYPD mentality...they'll shoot you - 10-20-30-41 times - it doesnt surprise me that they're cuffing dead people now. You gotta worry about, you know, zombies.
What a convenient career for those with a sadistic and racist bent...
i do feel that police have a difficult job for which they are ill-prepared and underpaid. that said, the recent killings of unarmed Brooklyn residents by the uniformed law is just unforgivable. the NYPD needs to figure uot how to stop this, and fast.
its not rocket science folks...if a officer has reason to believe his life is threatened, he is going to shoot you...especially if he thinks you have a gun...wake up...don't be stupid..this isn't racism...this is reality
I agree that these shootings are horrible, unfortunate and though tragic mistakes do happen, these are occuring way too much and I'm sure there is something that can be done to stop them.
But as for handcuffing the person, people who are against it seem to know little about crime, combat, shootings and the like.
Let's assume it's a legitimate shooting. Cops shoot a guy with a gun and he goes down. He might not be dead, and probably isn't at that moment. Though shot that the immediate threat might not be there, the person may still pose a threat. He may still pull out a gun that is hidden, or still might be in reach, or any weapon that can be used by anyone around him/her.
Dignity and respect for people are important, but when it comes to a life or death situation, it's ridiculous to think that "This guy who just tried to kill me (a cop) needs to be treated with dignity and not be restrained, even though he may still try to kill me after I've shot him."
when was the last time a downed suspect reached for a weapon and shot a cop? IN NYC?????
Oh, I remember, the movies. I think Lethal weapon was one and probably any one of the Die hard series.
don't forget to show it in slo mo.
I should preface it by saying a shot suspect. Let's make it interesting.
The NYPD should take all precautions to protect themselves. Especially when dealing with certain groups that are predisposed to violence.
You mean the Irish? or the IRA?
My name is Finley and I love to fight.
Not according to the city's violent crime statistics.
Really? even on a Friday night?
JacqueMehoff,
You ever wonder if the lack of police officers getting shot by downed suspects is due to their current procedure? Are you suggesting they try something different and see what happens?
Ideally they were determined to be dangerous before being shot, and likely still dangerous after. Not worth the risk for someone's dignity, IMHO.
so says you,
the fightin Irish. Friday nights between 3 to 4 am.
in my honest opinion.
and, did you hear, there was another nypd shooting this evening.
if anyone cries racism in this case, they're the racists themselves. Police protocol anywhere in civilized countries on earth is to shoot if the suspect is believed to be armed with a firearm and has intention to use it.
a comb, a brush, a cell phone, a wallet, a remote control, a camera—anything that can look like a gun is a gun. the suspect himself said he had a gun and was going to use it. If the police have their guns drawn on you and you're white, black, hispanic, asian, indian, or whatever, here's a tip: put your hands up with open palms and surrender.
if you're innocent you will be let go, if not expect a beat-down–it's protocol. don't like the rules change em, but stop bitching like a whiny child and for god's sake stop with this racism bullshit.
god, i hate you all
Keep the procedures the same. They seem to work just fine!
as long as you're not Black or a minority in this great city of greatness and capital of the entire whole wide wide world.
Keep up the great work, NYPD!
I feel like the "indignity" of being cuffed is nothing compared with the need to keep police and civilians safe from suspected criminals.