We can add another name to the wall of young Black men killed by the police for no apparent or justifiable reason. Cynically, the fact that all the officers who murdered him were themselves Black explains why they themselves were charged. Police aren't usually charged in these crimes, so that's...good?
As the irreplaceable Radley Balko has pointed out, the problem extends beyond race to police culture. This is most true of the paramilitary type of units that killed Nichols. As he wrote:
1. Don’t create “elite” police units who get special privileges, less oversight, and get to take shortcuts. 2. Definitely don’t give those units names like “Scorpion.” 3. The cops who really, really want to work on those units are the last cops who should be working on them.
The simplistic ACAB formula is both untrue and a political loser for reformers. However, these "elite" units and the military "warrior" mindset that they engender is a clear problem. It led to Breonna Taylor's death, too.
Once again, I'm reminded of what I heard Deray McKesson say. Black lives matter includes the idea that they need GOOD police, not NO police. Police who see themselves as warriors in occupied territory are bad police.
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