Nov. 2024. Blues Vol 40 No. 11

GUEST COMENTARY police

GUEST COMENTARY police law news Daniel Carr Officer Involved: Derrell Mickles Oftentimes experienced police officers are asked whether or not they would recommend a career in law enforcement for their own children There are certainly arguments in the affirmative. But. The most real example of why no reasonable person would/should go down this career path (or want their loved ones to) is the recent conviction of Officer Christopher Taylor. Former Austin, TX police officer Christopher Taylor just may be the unluckiest cop in the country. He has been involved two Officer Involved Shootings (OIS) and both times he was prosecuted for his actions. The thing is - both times that Officer Taylor utilized deadly force, his decision was reasonable and in line with training, policy, and law. The very government who taught him when to use deadly force - has actively tried to imprison him - for following that training. This is beyond absurd. THE FIRST ONE In 2020 Officer Christopher Taylor used deadly force as suspected drug dealer Michael Ramos fled the scene in his vehicle and tried to mow down police officers. Officer Taylor was prosecuted but jurors couldn’t reach a decision on whether he committed murder. The hung jury came after 12 days of arguments and four days of deliberation. Officer Taylor is not being retried in this case. THE SECOND ONE Officers were dispatched to a crazed man, armed with a knife, making threats at an apartment complex in 2019. Officers took the elevator to the 5th floor to make contact with the subject. As the elevator door opened - there he was - Mauris DeSilva, standing there holding a knife. Officers gave him commands to “Drop it!” Mr. DeSilva refused to cooperate and instead took a few steps towards the officers. Now, he was within five feet, armed with the knife, leaving officers trapped in an elevator with nowhere to go. Officer Taylor and one other officer discharged their firearms - killing Mr. DeSilva. Officer Taylor was charged with Deadly Conduct, a 3rd degree felony, and faces 10 years in prison. He was convicted yesterday after 3 days of jury deliberation. The main issue that prosecutors had with this case was the tactics used and training adhered to by officers. The DA didn’t understand why the officers took the elevator instead of the stairs and didn’t wait to use force until Mr. DeSilva started slashing the knife at the officers. 22 The Blues - November ‘24

MY QUESTION: If it was illegal for police officers to utilize deadly force in this situation - then what should the police officers have done? Show us where there is clear training or policy that instructs police officers to not perceive this as a deadly threat. THE THING IS Let me tell you something about police officers. If police officers are adequately trained on policy, tactics, and the law - the vast majority of the time they will apply those principles, even in the midst of dynamic situations - without issue. Police officers are very good at learning a technical skill and then putting it into practice in real life scenes. Police officers are also incredible body cam breakdown experts. They know when one of their own breaks the law or violates policy. There is a reason why you know zero police officers who are out there defending the cops who were charged/convicted in the Tyre Nichols case. Those officers’ actions were an obvious violation of law and basic human decency and they garner no sympathy from the rest of us. The heartache is when police officers do follow their training, respond reasonably to a deadly threat, and are prosecuted anyway. That’s what police officers have a difficult time grappling with. This list sadly keeps growing, but here are a few: Christopher Schurr Brad Lunsford Bailey “Mac” Marquette Eddie Duran Chris Taylor FINAL THOUGHTS This Chris Taylor conviction is going to sit unwell with all of us - until the next one comes along. And, there will be another one. How may more until no reasonable person would sign up to do this job? ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Police Law Newsletter is the place where we break down the most important issues in policing. VISIT https://policelawnews. substack.com/about today. Delivered to your inbox every month. CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION The Blues - November ‘24 23