‘We’re giving our truth:' 21 APD officers talk about their frustrations, fears in wake of protests (news, hours)

[markjames68]

Originally Posted by citidata18

What does "we're giving our truth" even supposed to mean?

Either something is true based on the facts or it's not.

"We're being asked to stand in front lines where people are throwing rocks and bottles and fireworks at us," an officer said. "And we're told we can't arrest people who are committing aggravated assault on us. So we're supposed to stand there and be abused."
The officers that we talked to said that these days, when it comes to the court of public opinion, no officer stands a chance, even if the use of force is justified.

Assuming you believe this to be true based upon the facts, these people should be arrested. Yet KLB and council members seem to be spinning the narrative that’s it’s all peaceful save a couple of misguided individuals.

Both statements can’t be true.

[citidata18]

Originally Posted by markjames68

...Assuming you believe this to be true based upon the facts...

The bolded is my point exactly.

An assumption or belief isn't necessarily true, so saying "we're giving our truth" makes no sense.

Now, they may very well hold their own opinion(s) and they're certainly entitled to them, but as we all know, opinions aren't always factual.

If they're going into this thinking how they feel is the "truth," then that's the root cause of the problem with the police and their relationship in the community.

[markjames68]

Originally Posted by citidata18

The bolded is my point exactly.

An assumption or belief isn't necessarily true, so saying "we're giving our truth" makes no sense.

Now, they may very well hold their own opinion(s) and they're certainly entitled to them, but as we all know, opinions aren't always factual.

If they're going into this thinking how they feel is the "truth," then that's the root cause of the problem with the police and their relationship in the community.

I could very easily flip your statement and reflect the “truths” that the community stipulates. For example, all the statements made by the mayor, DA, community, etc. about the police, about the Brooks killing, etc.

Many opinions. Few clear facts. Some clear untruths.

But I don’t disagree that perhaps they should have said “we’re giving our perspective” instead of “truth”.

[citidata18]

Originally Posted by markjames68

I could very easily flip your statement and reflect the “truths” that the community stipulates. For example, all the statements made by the mayor, DA, community, etc. about the police, about the Brooks killing, etc.

This thread is about the police's statement, which is what I'm focused on.

[markjames68]

Originally Posted by citidata18

This thread is about the police's statement, which is what I'm focused on.

I see, so you look at that in a vacuum despite their response being all about how they’ve been treated by the other parties I mentioned.

“Channel 2′s Michael Seiden spent hours talking to 21 officers with the Atlanta Police Department about why they don’t feel like they can do their jobs properly in the wake of protests against police brutality -- and the death of Rayshard Brooks at the hands of an APD officer.”

Never mind, carry on. I’ll opt out of this thread to not detract from your narrative.

[PKCorey]

Originally Posted by SEAandATL

At this point they need to just exterminate these lowlifes like roaches.

You dont have to use racial coded words to get your point across.

Disgusting.

[ronricks]

Originally Posted by PKCorey

You dont have to use racial coded words to get your point across.

Disgusting.

Odd you would say that considering the Wendy’s site was infiltrated by racist and racism only letting certain people through the barricades based on race.

Black motorists went through. White drivers had to U-turn.

https://www.ajc.com/news/local/opini...JyrVKT50lo9YN/

[Yoski]

Listening to the interviews and reading the article, all you get from the APD is a woe is me response, laying all blame on everyone but police. Even Fulton DA Paul Howard, who I really don't like, mentioned taking some ownership and then coming to the table for discussion on how the police and the community move forward. If your response is to take your ball and go home and cry to your momma about the mean kids in the street, when you helped make them treat you that way, no one wants to hear that.

Here is the thing, isolate out all the rock throwing, screaming agitators rioting in the streets from the community. They are not the community and they need to be dealt with in an appropriate manner. The community doesn't want to defund you, they want more of you. Twitter, certain politicians and activist are not the community, they just get all the attention in an effort to play one side against the other for votes, views or ratings. The actual community wants to see you just patrolling the neighborhood, they want to see you walking it, interacting with it when nothing bad is going on, maybe even living in it. They know the job is hard and what you are up against. They have to live in it, while all you have to do is work it. Leaving them to fend for themselves will not make them love and appreciate you, only despise you.

The streets are hot right now though, and you want to come out swinging on everyone protesting, turning the heat up even more. So when a Rayshard Brooks happens, no one wants to cut you any slack, but the heat will pass. It's what you do in response to change how you police and how you are connected to the community that will determine the future. For all their faults and missteps, Rayshard Brooks, George Floyd, Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, Freddie Gray, Walter Scott, Anthony Hill, Laquan McDonald, etc...were children of the community. Just because 95% of police do an admirable job policing, we can't overlook the 5% who even if they don't kill, still brutalize and terrorize the community. When you let the 5% stay and protect them behind the thin blue line, the community will eventually reduce you to being no better the worst amongst you. Kind of the same way that they 5% of police sees the community. (percentages are not accurate, used just to make the point)

[SEAandATL]

Originally Posted by PKCorey

You dont have to use racial coded words to get your point across.

Disgusting.

It has nothing to do with race. It has to do with the thug population. Granted the majority of them happen to be African-American because this is Atlanta, but the majority of African-Americans in Atlanta are decent human beings that are doing the right thing so I'm not talking about them. I'm talking about the people who commit acts of violence including murder that the police can't seem to stop now. Now I don't condone the killing of God's children but sometimes it's necessary like in a time of war, and this technically is a war, against local terrorists.

[Need4Camaro]

Originally Posted by SEAandATL

It has nothing to do with race. It has to do with the thug population. Granted the majority of them happen to be African-American because this is Atlanta, but the majority of African-Americans in Atlanta are decent human beings that are doing the right thing so I'm not talking about them. I'm talking about the people who commit acts of violence including murder that the police can't seem to stop now. Now I don't condone the killing of God's children but sometimes it's necessary like in a time of war, and this technically is a war, against local terrorists.

Its about time someone actually see's this for what it is.