NYPD shoots man wielding knife.

[Laurent.]

A knife-wielding man who stabbed a student in a Brooklyn synagogue was shot dead by police after he lunged at officers.

Police say they used lethal violence against the suspect after he refused to drop the weapon, AP reports. The incident occurred at the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic World Headquarters in Crown Heights at 1:40am on Tuesday.

Following the stabbing, a witness flagged down a police officer, who told the unidentified assailant to drop his weapon. The attacker initially dropped his knife, only to pick it up again. Backup from the NYPD's anti-terror squad arrived on the scene, demanding once again he put down his weapon. According to police, he refused and charged at the officer, who discharged his firearm once, striking the attacker in the stomach.

A video of the encounter posted online appears to corroborate the police's version of events.

Aftermath video: http://youtu.be/zKmXOOQjg9Q



RT: http://www.rt.com/usa/212727-man-stabs-student-synagogue/

NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/10/nyregion/brooklyn-synagogue-stabbing.html?ref=nyregion&_r=0

Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/09/us-usa-new-york-shooting-idUSKBN0JN18520141209

Do note that the assailant was black, so queue the protests, riots, looting and random fires.

 

[theBearJew]

Dont stab people, dont get shot by cops.

 

[corona]

Do note that the assailant was black, so queue the protests, riots, looting and random fires.

except he actually deserved to get shot

 

[louie.mirags]

After watching that video there is no argument he deserved that.. Maybe a taser arguement can be made but the cops did what they had to do...

However, the dude from BK selling lucys is a hard video to watch and he had his hands up. Not to mention that is proof of the government using force to enforce tax laws. Even though they cause a black market for cigs by jacking the price up.

 

[congrossman.]

except he actually deserved to get shot

yeah but people wont understand that

 

[cornholio]

he had his hands up

but this guy dropped his knife, an equal act of surrender

 

[gnarballsianm]

yeah but people wont understand that

People won't understand anything if they are blind to other views and opinions.

 

[louie.mirags]

but this guy dropped his knife, an equal act of surrender

he had it in his hands when they stabbed him it appeared in the video

 

[louie.mirags]

but this guy dropped his knife, an equal act of surrender

from the nytimes:

After several minutes, the man finally places the knife on the table. As the officer holstered his weapon and moved to place him in custody, the man grabbed the knife again.

At this point, the video footage captures only the officer drawing his weapon again, increasing frantic shouting, and then the sound of a single shot.

 

[Mr.Huck]

A truly stupid and sad irony is exposing itself right now. Someone else can google and find the article, I'm too lazy right now.

Apparently the police in Ferguson tried using non lethal ultrasonic weapons on the crowds during the riots. All of my liberal friends on facebook are crying about it saying that all the rioters may suffer injuries from this. Personally, I hope it renders them all sterile so that it strengthens the gene pool.

Seriously, what the fuck do the liberals want the police to do, shave their heads, put on robes and pass out flowers to rioters?

 

[cornholio]

he had it in his hands when they stabbed him it appeared in the video

yeah i saw that, i just figured since we're ignoring the context of the actions it's no big deal. the only reason garner had his hands above his head is because he was resisting arrest and pulling them away from the officer.

this makes both of our statements true, but meaningless

 

[MLJ]

A truly stupid and sad irony is exposing itself right now. Someone else can google and find the article, I'm too lazy right now.

Apparently the police in Ferguson tried using non lethal ultrasonic weapons on the crowds during the riots. All of my liberal friends on facebook are crying about it saying that all the rioters may suffer injuries from this. Personally, I hope it renders them all sterile so that it strengthens the gene pool.

Seriously, what the fuck do the liberals want the police to do, shave their heads, put on robes and pass out flowers to rioters?

Oh my god, finally someone I can agree with! Jesus, if the cops can't do anything about crimes, we're all fucked lets be honest. Society breaks down.

An argument can be made that they are abusing their power, and it is true they probably should not have killed the guy in NY (IDK about the brown case, hard to tell) but my opinion is that if you don't want to get shot, fucking comply with the cops when they get you and don't illegally sell shit before hand. /rant

 

[louie.mirags]

yeah i saw that, i just figured since we're ignoring the context of the actions it's no big deal. the only reason garner had his hands above his head is because he was resisting arrest and pulling them away from the officer.

this makes both of our statements true, but meaningless

Yeah i see what you mean now.. My problem with the garner case is more the fact he is getting harassed for a tax crime... Which is caused by the crazy price of cigarettes. But, barely anybody is speaking of the fact he was committing a non-violent crime. Then, the government henchman also known as cops go and harass him.

 

[SFB]

police r racist, he didnt do nuthin.

 

[.Hugo.]

Awww that one dudes post got deleted. That was funny as shit

 

[louie.mirags]

Oh my god, finally someone I can agree with! Jesus, if the cops can't do anything about crimes, we're all fucked lets be honest. Society breaks down.

An argument can be made that they are abusing their power, and it is true they probably should not have killed the guy in NY (IDK about the brown case, hard to tell) but my opinion is that if you don't want to get shot, fucking comply with the cops when they get you and don't illegally sell shit before hand. /rant

cops are just people, like you and me. What if you did nothing wrong? You're just supposed to comply with what they say? What if you can't afford a lawyer? Just complying with the government and the idea that cops are always right is something that is going to fuck our society

 

[JGWI]

Here is how this will go from here. ABC, and CNN will cut the video to pieces and show the part where the man was shot in an attempt to create more a stir which results in more viewers which results in more money for them. And then that dumb blond on FOX will probably go on about it for a week saying it's Obama's fault. I really just want to toss my TV off a very tall building at this point.

 

[louie.mirags]

Here is how this will go from here. ABC, and CNN will cut the video to pieces and show the part where the man was shot in an attempt to create more a stir which results in more viewers which results in more money for them. And then that dumb blond on FOX will probably go on about it for a week saying it's Obama's fault. I really just want to toss my TV off a very tall building at this point.

There are better sources for your news...

 

[JGWI]

There are better sources for your news...

Please give me a list because I definitely need some new ones.

 

[saskskier]

cops are just people, like you and me. What if you did nothing wrong? You're just supposed to comply with what they say? What if you can't afford a lawyer? Just complying with the government and the idea that cops are always right is something that is going to fuck our society

I suspect this attitude is a huge reason why there is so much police related violence in America. No one thinks they did anything wrong and everyone thinks they need to fight authority.

 

[louie.mirags]

Please give me a list because I definitely need some new ones.

I'll let somebody else hopefully answer that... I'll admit I do not know, I just don't watch CNN, MSNBC or FOXNews unless I am stoned to the gills and then it is just funny...

I suspect this attitude is a huge reason why there is so much police related violence in America. No one thinks they did anything wrong and everyone thinks they need to fight authority.

When it comes to excessive force and long jail time for non-violent offenders then yes there is a need to stand up against authority. Our country was founded on not believing in the government... Let's not go backwards and just comply

 

[louie.mirags]

Dub post but I want to add that the post above about standing up to authority is irrelevant to this particular case... for obvious reasons

 

[SpookyCat]

What happened to using pepper spray or a taser? I really do hate how ignorant and cop-loving this country has become. "here officer, take my cash and my balls while you're at it. I won't resist because I don't want to be shot. oh well, I guess that's life."

You're all the reason why this country is in the crap hole it is now.

 

[Zimmerman]

What happened to using pepper spray or a taser? I really do hate how ignorant and cop-loving this country has become. "here officer, take my cash and my balls while you're at it. I won't resist because I don't want to be shot. oh well, I guess that's life."

You're all the reason why this country is in the crap hole it is now.

Finally. Thank you.

 

[saskskier]

When it comes to excessive force and long jail time for non-violent offenders then yes there is a need to stand up against authority. Our country was founded on not believing in the government... Let's not go backwards and just comply

Your country was founded on democracy and not believing in a monarchy.

If you feel you need to stand up again authority and don't want to comply than be prepared to deal with the ongoing problem of police related violence. That attitude is inherently confrontational, which rarely mixes well with those enforcing the law. If you have a problem with the laws being enforced, don't take it out on the police. Bring it up with the people who have the ability to change it.

 

[~~~~~~~~]

The social contract of the police needs to be re-evaluated as the police are increasingly being viewed/acting as an occupying force and not public servants. Death by police should not be acceptable in any situation as we are all equal citizens. They are not judge jury and executioner.

 

[.frenchy]

What happened to using pepper spray or a taser? I really do hate how ignorant and cop-loving this country has become. "here officer, take my cash and my balls while you're at it. I won't resist because I don't want to be shot. oh well, I guess that's life."

You're all the reason why this country is in the crap hole it is now.

Why are you being such a pussy? Oh no, some low-life trying to stab an officer got shot in the tummy.... Boo fucking hoo.

Society is totally fucked without this guy! You're right!

 

[.MASSHOLE.]

What happened to using pepper spray or a taser? I really do hate how ignorant and cop-loving this country has become. "here officer, take my cash and my balls while you're at it. I won't resist because I don't want to be shot. oh well, I guess that's life."

You're all the reason why this country is in the crap hole it is now.

Because tasers and pepper spray don't always work in every situation.

Tasers are designed to stop people, but do not always work effectively.

The problem with the TASER, however, is its effectiveness. In a Department of Justice-commissioned study by the Florida Gulf Coast University Research Institute the TASER was 69 percent effective the first time it was deployed. It became more effective in its second and third iteration.

There are a number of reasons for the TASER's failure – the most common is that both probes do not make it directly into the subject's skin

http://www.tricitytribuneusa.com/tasers-not-always-100-percent-effective/

Pepper spray is designed to confuse and disorient people, not stop them. It also has limited range. You're not going to try to subdue a man who is blindly swinging a knife or weapon of sorts.

In this case, the cops probably had little to no knowledge surrounding the man who was carrying the knife. Was he on drugs? Was he insane? Would a taser have effectively pierced his skin to maximize efficiency? Would he charge the officers if he was not taken down by the taser or disoriented enough by the pepper spray?

 

[deleted5]

A truly stupid and sad irony is exposing itself right now. Someone else can google and find the article, I'm too lazy right now.

Apparently the police in Ferguson tried using non lethal ultrasonic weapons on the crowds during the riots. All of my liberal friends on facebook are crying about it saying that all the rioters may suffer injuries from this. Personally, I hope it renders them all sterile so that it strengthens the gene pool.

Seriously, what the fuck do the liberals want the police to do, shave their heads, put on robes and pass out flowers to rioters?

Why is everything with you so black and white. Hey maybe cops shouldn't just start shooting people right away, maybe we should invest some money into other ways people can be put down with out killing them. FUCK YOU LIBERAL, COPS NEED TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FIRE AWAY. Yes people who do crime or have a knife should be put down no one isn't saying that. But there has to be a better way then shooting someone taking them to a hospital, and hoping they live to stand trial.

 

[remove]

there's some old saying about knives and gunfights.....

 

[theBearJew]

Because tasers and pepper spray don't always work in every situation.

Tasers are designed to stop people, but do not always work effectively.

http://www.tricitytribuneusa.com/tasers-not-always-100-percent-effective/

Pepper spray is designed to confuse and disorient people, not stop them. It also has limited range. You're not going to try to subdue a man who is blindly swinging a knife or weapon of sorts.

In this case, the cops probably had little to no knowledge surrounding the man who was carrying the knife. Was he on drugs? Was he insane? Would a taser have effectively pierced his skin to maximize efficiency? Would he charge the officers if he was not taken down by the taser or disoriented enough by the pepper spray?

Tasers can kill people too.
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/4919108

 

[rtl32]

I think the realistic answer for the public/receiving end of the excessive force is simple:

Don't try to stab, point a gun at, run towards, or resist arrest from a cop. It is that simple, don't give them a reason to have to establish control over you and your actions, comply with their requests, and they won't have the chance to kill you or use force.

If we look at what is happening right now (ferguson, brown, dude in NY, etc) we can all see a trend. The officer's technique for establishing control/stopping the threat is what is in controversy. In deciding that, we need to think of how much we value both parties lives and how effective/lethal the method is to establish control over the perceived offender, and protect the people involved. Different people value different things more, and the use of lethal force against a non violent criminal is still at controversy. Despite that, I think it is safe to assume that the majority of people would be content with a method that holds the following qualities:

is non-lethal

consistently allows the officer to establish control over the offender

does not pose a threat to bystanders

is not inhumane or cruel in anyway.

Even with violent offenders, I think if we could achieve and adapt to using a method like this, protests and the backlash from the public would be greatly reduced. Even then though, I think there would still be situations where lethal force is absolutely necessary, but if it can somehow be avoided then it should be. Like it was stated above, the police are not judge, jury, and executioner, and their job is to protect us. If they can do that job without ending the lives of citizens, then they shouldn't end the lives of said citizens.

inb4 stop being a pussy, they deserve it.

 

[qazwsxedc34]

#fuckeverycopwhoseverdonehisjob

#fuckmunicipletrafficcourt

 

[Anathema]

i still wish there was a better way than killing someone, but this is a situation where...... well you had the choice. lay down with your hands up. if he still shoots you, then we have a debate.

but hey we can't bring rational arguments to an irrational criminal mentality. i doubt he's thinking "damn, this dude might actually kill me if demonstrate an act of aggression that threatens him, better give up while i still can, keep the situation calm and under control..."

 

[SpookyCat]

there's some old saying about knives and gunfights.....

Umm... bringing a knife to a gun fight is like bringing a Republican to a civil rights gathering. You're going to die.

 

[rtl32]

Umm... bringing a knife to a gun fight is like bringing a Republican to a civil rights gathering. You're going to die.

How would someone die at a fucking civil rights gathering......

Your logic is non-existant

 

[SpookyCat]

How would someone die at a fucking civil rights gathering...

MLK did.

 

[SpookyCat]

I try to ignore your posts, but sometimes its hard to ignore such a sad and unintelligent excuse for a person, can you stop posting so I can stop losing brain cells reading your brutal attempts at "trolling" and/or posting in general

Yeah, posting the truth is trolling. Gotcha.

 

[rtl32]

What happened to using pepper spray or a taser? I really do hate how ignorant and cop-loving this country has become. "here officer, take my cash and my balls while you're at it. I won't resist because I don't want to be shot. oh well, I guess that's life."

You're all the reason why this country is in the crap hole it is now.

Umm... bringing a knife to a gun fight is like bringing a Republican to a civil rights gathering. You're going to die.

MLK did.

Yeah, posting the truth is trolling. Gotcha.

I don't think NS is the right forum for you, maybe you should check this out. It might benefit you a lot.
http://www.mentalhealthforum.net/forum/thread79472.html

This might help your condition, maybe you should spend some time in this domain (reading, not posting that is, we don't want to be misinforming people)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

Just a push in the right direction on your quest to correcting your previously ignorant statements.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Martin_Luther_King,_Jr.

Anything else I can help you with?

 

[MLJ]

cops are just people, like you and me. What if you did nothing wrong? You're just supposed to comply with what they say? What if you can't afford a lawyer? Just complying with the government and the idea that cops are always right is something that is going to fuck our society

No, complying with the cops is by far the best course of action. If people are constantly resisting authority and society breaks down, the whole of the us is fucked. All of it. Unless you live on an isolated, self sustaining farm.

I suspect this attitude is a huge reason why there is so much police related violence in America. No one thinks they did anything wrong and everyone thinks they need to fight authority.

Yes thanks you! The officers don't need to deal with douchebags trying to ignore them all the time. For exanple, if you're in school and a teacher calls you out about something you did wrong, do you pull a knife and lunge at him/her, or would you try to talk about it and sort the situation out properly?

I'll let somebody else hopefully answer that... I'll admit I do not know, I just don't watch CNN, MSNBC or FOXNews unless I am stoned to the gills and then it is just funny...

When it comes to excessive force and long jail time for non-violent offenders then yes there is a need to stand up against authority. Our country was founded on not believing in the government... Let's not go backwards and just comply

Fuck you

Your country was founded on democracy and not believing in a monarchy.

If you feel you need to stand up again authority and don't want to comply than be prepared to deal with the ongoing problem of police related violence. That attitude is inherently confrontational, which rarely mixes well with those enforcing the law. If you have a problem with the laws being enforced, don't take it out on the police. Bring it up with the people who have the ability to change it.

This guy totally gets it.

I think the realistic answer for the public/receiving end of the excessive force is simple:

Don't try to stab, point a gun at, run towards, or resist arrest from a cop. It is that simple, don't give them a reason to have to establish control over you and your actions, comply with their requests, and they won't have the chance to kill you or use force.

If we look at what is happening right now (ferguson, brown, dude in NY, etc) we can all see a trend. The officer's technique for establishing control/stopping the threat is what is in controversy. In deciding that, we need to think of how much we value both parties lives and how effective/lethal the method is to establish control over the perceived offender, and protect the people involved. Different people value different things more, and the use of lethal force against a non violent criminal is still at controversy. Despite that, I think it is safe to assume that the majority of people would be content with a method that holds the following qualities:

is non-lethal

consistently allows the officer to establish control over the offender

does not pose a threat to bystanders

is not inhumane or cruel in anyway.

Even with violent offenders, I think if we could achieve and adapt to using a method like this, protests and the backlash from the public would be greatly reduced. Even then though, I think there would still be situations where lethal force is absolutely necessary, but if it can somehow be avoided then it should be. Like it was stated above, the police are not judge, jury, and executioner, and their job is to protect us. If they can do that job without ending the lives of citizens, then they shouldn't end the lives of said citizens.

inb4 stop being a pussy, they deserve it.

Yes!!! I have a ton of black friends who haven't been shot by cops because they DONT TRY TO STEAL THEIR GUNS AND LISTEN TO WHAT THE COP IS SAYING!! What is so hard to understand about this?

Soz for typos I'm on mobile

 

[louie.mirags]

Yes!!! I have a ton of black friends who haven't been shot by cops because they DONT TRY TO STEAL THEIR GUNS AND LISTEN TO WHAT THE COP IS SAYING!! What is so hard to understand about this?

The dude who got choked out has been harassed by cops ALOT. He even says something along the lines of why do you keep harassing me? So, you expect him to just day in and day out take harassment? Why? The court system isn't going to work with him. He can't afford lawyers.. So he should just comply? Get the fuck outta here... I'm not saying fight the cop, but something needs to be done in this country about non-violent crimes....

 

[DasGoatenshafter]

The dude who got choked out has been harassed by cops ALOT. He even says something along the lines of why do you keep harassing me? So, you expect him to just day in and day out take harassment? Why? The court system isn't going to work with him. He can't afford lawyers.. So he should just comply? Get the fuck outta here... I'm not saying fight the cop, but something needs to be done in this country about non-violent crimes....

Don't you get appointed a lawyer? And do they not need to release people after so many hours if they don't have a real case? I'm just curious as to why he wouldn't comply if he was innocent and knew he'd be let off.

 

[louie.mirags]

Don't you get appointed a lawyer? And do they not need to release people after so many hours if they don't have a real case? I'm just curious as to why he wouldn't comply if he was innocent and knew he'd be let off.

On TV, yeah it happens that easy. Realistically he gets brought to the station, waits hours to see a judge and judge sets bail. If he can't pay bail he gets sent to lock up until his case.. You'll get appointed a lawyer who will be there to discuss with you your rights but not going to go to bat for you like a movie.. Not to mention the court fees and overall amount of money it is going to cost. Also, if you miss work or whatever in jail sucks for you.

 

[DasGoatenshafter]

I guess in general I'm finding it hard to think of a scenario where the po are trying to arrest you without any grounds. Tax evasion is still illegal so if you're doing that don't be mad when the cops get ya, and if you're not doing that, make sure you have documentation to get yourself our of a pickle.

There are obviously flaws in every system, but you don't win monopoly by flipping the board and yelling "Fuck you, grandma!"

 

[justinchapman]

Oh no! Another black man got shot. LETS RIOT!!! That'll show 'em

 

[louie.mirags]

I guess in general I'm finding it hard to think of a scenario where the po are trying to arrest you without any grounds. Tax evasion is still illegal so if you're doing that don't be mad when the cops get ya, and if you're not doing that, make sure you have documentation to get yourself our of a pickle.

Welcome to NYC... Have you not heard about the problems with stop and frisk?

And tax evasion in the case with the dude getting choked out was selling lucys (loose cigs).. minor victimless crime. Which is indirectly caused by the government by jacking the price up of cigs to as much as 15-20 bucks in NY. Forcing underground markets of cigs.

 

[Charlie_Kelly]

Oh my god, finally someone I can agree with! Jesus, if the cops can't do anything about crimes, we're all fucked lets be honest. Society breaks down.

An argument can be made that they are abusing their power, and it is true they probably should not have killed the guy in NY (IDK about the brown case, hard to tell) but my opinion is that if you don't want to get shot, fucking comply with the cops when they get you and don't illegally sell shit before hand. /rant

They are totally abusing their power. Across the country. There are thousands and thousands of videos out there of cops abusing their power. Its not an argument, its a fact.

I wonder if you knew that the Keene, NH police force recently acquired an MRAP. Probably not. Do you know what a MRAP is? Why on gods green earth would a town of 23,XXX, in a state with the lowest crime rate in the country, need an MRAP? Ever?

Your country was founded on democracy and not believing in a monarchy.

If you feel you need to stand up again authority and don't want to comply than be prepared to deal with the ongoing problem of police related violence. That attitude is inherently confrontational, which rarely mixes well with those enforcing the law. If you have a problem with the laws being enforced, don't take it out on the police. Bring it up with the people who have the ability to change it.

Ah, one of those fools that sees matters from a standpoint simplicity. Unfortunately its not as easy as you type it to be. As a country we've brought many problems we've had with the government to light with effectively no change. Look at Occupy Wallstreet. People just wanted to hold corrupt businessmen accountable. It was a huge movement across the country. And what was the result? Effectively nothing, or even the opposite of what the majority of citizens wanted. Our government is corrupt, divided,and broken and I trust them at this point to get almost nothing done except drive this country further into the ground.

And taking this out on police is a perfect course of action. They are public servants whose job is to serve and protect the citizens of America. We pay their salaries. We help pay their pretty little pension plan. When we see them make mistakes on the job, they must be held accountable by someone and its usually not the people up the chain of command.

Politicians create the laws but officers enforce them. There are plenty of cases where officers took the wrong course of action, arrested the wrong person, and subsequently put that person through hell because they thought that person was "breaking a law". So should we take that up with the lawmakers or the officer that screwed up in the first place?

Going after a politician is a waste of time, going after an incompetent officer that shouldn't be on the force in the first place is a lot easier...

 

[louie.mirags]

I guess in general I'm finding it hard to think of a scenario where the po are trying to arrest you without any grounds. Tax evasion is still illegal so if you're doing that don't be mad when the cops get ya

may be foxnews but Paul is speaking truth

 

[plyswthsqrrls]

If cops are so brutal, how about you do their job then? Let's give you a gun, a badge, and a uniform and send you in to some of these neighbourhoods. Cops risk their lives on a daily basis, and the fact that you can't respect that is beyond me. They're people, no one is perfect, probably not even you.

It's real easy to look at them from the sidelines and point fingers about every mistake they make, but how about you put your money where your mouth is and become a cop then? Maybe you'll be able to affect real change then instead of just talking about it

 

[louie.mirags]

If cops are so brutal, how about you do their job then? Let's give you a gun, a badge, and a uniform and send you in to some of these neighbourhoods. Cops risk their lives on a daily basis, and the fact that you can't respect that is beyond me. They're people, no one is perfect, probably not even you.

It's real easy to look at them from the sidelines and point fingers about every mistake they make, but how about you put your money where your mouth is and become a cop then? Maybe you'll be able to affect real change then instead of just talking about it

Nope. Because I won't be able to bust a car full of teens for smoking a joint or driving drunk when I used to. The problem I have is with the laws and the militarization of police - not all of the individuals. I am a veteran and I worked dispatch for the local police - they wanted me and I said no thank you

 

[saskskier]

Ah, one of those fools that sees matters from a standpoint simplicity. Unfortunately its not as easy as you type it to be. As a country we've brought many problems we've had with the government to light with effectively no change. Look at Occupy Wallstreet. People just wanted to hold corrupt businessmen accountable. It was a huge movement across the country. And what was the result? Effectively nothing, or even the opposite of what the majority of citizens wanted. Our government is corrupt, divided,and broken and I trust them at this point to get almost nothing done except drive this country further into the ground.

And taking this out on police is a perfect course of action. They are public servants whose job is to serve and protect the citizens of America. We pay their salaries. We help pay their pretty little pension plan. When we see them make mistakes on the job, they must be held accountable by someone and its usually not the people up the chain of command.

Politicians create the laws but officers enforce them. There are plenty of cases where officers took the wrong course of action, arrested the wrong person, and subsequently put that person through hell because they thought that person was "breaking a law". So should we take that up with the lawmakers or the officer that screwed up in the first place?

Going after a politician is a waste of time, going after an incompetent officer that shouldn't be on the force in the first place is a lot easier...

Occupy Wallstreet may have began as a protest to hold corrupt businessmen accountable, but it lost it's focus and message almost immediately and then turned into a joke. People were protesting, but they didn't know what for.

You may believe that taking this out on the police is a perfect course of action, but don't stand by and complain that you weren't treated perfectly because you were being a dick when you were pulled over or had some kind of interaction with the police.

Yes, police make mistakes. Sometimes it's blatant disregard for the law, but I'm willing to bet most of the time they are honest mistakes. Mistakes don't make someone incompetent. If it happens over and over again, then yes.

As a social worker, I work with police on a regular basis. They are decent people doing their best and have a tough enough time without having people who don't know the law scrutinizing their every move. I know this because I have to deal with the same issue with the general public with my work.