The country woke up this morning to the horrific news that a promising teenager was shot and killed late Wednesday night. But even more horrific was the report that the fatal injury was inflicted by a law enforcement officer. I mean, the nation was angered by such an occurrence: a young teen shot in the back by a member of law enforcement; and for what? Because they were purportedly trying to make their way back under the covers, teetering on the hour of curfew. There is no way to describe such a heinous act, and as a consequence there’s only one thing going through the minds of the populace: outrage!
What took place in our country today, is most egregious. Actually, it’s the likes of what we see on television in those big first-world countries. Who would have thought that we would have seen this day when a harmless teen is shot by police because he purportedly fled on fears he was in violation of a state-imposed curfew. This points to several issues that need redress, and as a society we cannot sit idly by and remain silent on the matter.
It is most disheartening to know that it appears that due process and procedures weren’t followed. It begs the questions: were the law enforcement officials under direct threat? One must wonder, if so, were warning shots fired first? What happened to all the training and terms of engagement taught to law enforcement to deal with civilians? So we now act on impulse and generalize based on preconceived assumptions and simply fire at people with seemingly no recourse in mind?
Clearly, this one cries foul. There’s no way around it, and it’s greatly unfortunate to know that any citizen could have been in such a deadly predicament. It requires some serious systemic changes and recalibration of the police force from top to bottom, from inside out. Such a travesty should have never occurred in our country, and now the institution needs to do better. It is incumbent upon them to ramp up training, carry out regular updates in procedures and protocols, reassess with a view to updating and improving terms of engagement, and screen the people who are placed in these positions to “serve and protect”.
No mother should have to bear the brunt of laying their child to rest. No community should have to grapple with a heinous act of violence by law enforcement. No country should lose a teen at the hands of the authorities. This one hits bottom deep, and we are called to task. We must first sympathize and stand with the family during this most profound grief and loss. We must demand better from our law enforcement and ensure that the requisite measures are put in place — from screening to training to regular personal development. But more so, we are called to speak up and voice our discontent to make it clear that this is not acceptable and will never be acceptable in our Jewel, and thus: we demand answers, we demand justice and we demand to know that such an act will not repeat itself.
This is outrageous!
Unchained Reflections Of A Liberal Pragmatist.