[Sometimes psychotic]

Falkenberg: We expect more from our heroes than being sued by them - Houston Chronicle

So family of a dude with psychosis called for help---paramedics ran off and called the cops who came and shot the dude instead of helping him--now this is drug induced psychosis not MI but the same could happen to any of us. So now the guy is dead and one of the police is actually suing the family because he thinks they didn't warn him enough that there could be violence...

[LaborIntensive]

In a recent interview, Figueroa said the lawsuit only compounds the tragedy, which has already taken so much from the family, including a home left riddled with bullet holes and bloodstains where she couldn't bear to live in anymore.
"The first thing I thought is this man is crazy," Figueroa said about the deputy. "Not only is he destroying our lives, but he's suing me."
Her Houston-based attorney, Dean Blumrosen was so appalled by the lawsuit he agreed to represent Figueroa for no fee. He has asked a court for sanctions against attorney Mark Long of New Braunfels for even filing the "groundless" claim. He recently sent Long a letter vowing to give up his law license if the deputy prevails in a case he says is offensive not only to a grieving family, but every law enforcement officer whose job entails inherent risk.
Long, a former Austin police officer, offered no apologies.

[costello]

I'm reading the comments after one of the news stories, and most of them think the deputy is a bozo for suing. I'd be very surprised if this suit succeeds. Police work is inherently risky. Also, he had ample warning of potential violence from the wife and from the first responder. Btw, he's suing the homeowner who wasn't even present during the incident. Something about turning a blind eye to what's going on.

[Victoria'smom]

I hope that the lawsuit gets thrown out and there's a law passed that cops can't do that. Its in there job descriptions to risk themselves for the safety of others.

[Sometimes psychotic]

Originally Posted by costello

I'm reading the comments after one of the news stories, and most of them think the deputy is a bozo for suing. I'd be very surprised if this suit succeeds. Police work is inherently risky. Also, he had ample warning of potential violence from the wife and from the first responder. Btw, he's suing the homeowner who wasn't even present during the incident. Something about turning a blind eye to what's going on.

Oh I know its not generally approved of and thank God a lawyer just stepped up to defend them but in a typical case you would have to pay to defend yourself against this type of spurious charge and all of this after the cops kill a member of their family---I seriously hope the counter-sue or something because the fact that cops that think this way even exist is just wrong that guy should not be employed in any position working with people IMO.

[likewater]

Wow. Makes you wonder what some people are thinking.

[costello]

Another upsetting story of police mishandling a situation with a mentally ill person: THE DARK STATE: Mother spends two years trying to unseal Prairie Village police records in daughter's shooting death - KSHB.com

She asked the police to call her mom during the incident. They lied to her and told her they had. It would break my heart if I were that mom.

[costello]

Here's another one from the NY Times this morning: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/02/us...g.html?hp&_r=0

[Sometimes psychotic]

Yeah I don't if its because I'm paying more attention or what but this seems all too common these days...I mean I don't understand how someone with a baseball bat or a book is a real threat to someone holding a gun...police are just used to assuming people are guilty of something rather than innocent people that are just sick...

[costello]

I don't understand how they can't see that their own actions have escalated the situation. It just seems like a no-brainer to me.

[Sometimes psychotic]

Originally Posted by costello

I don't understand how they can't see that their own actions have escalated the situation. It just seems like a no-brainer to me.

Probably because the same thing happens even in psych hospitals...when you suddenly get 4 nurses coming up to you rather than having a person calmly telling you to do whatever, you're going to have a fight or flight response. It just a core emotional response because you read the preparedness for confrontation on those 4 people its not like they are just hanging out. And if they look scared of you its going to tip things toward fight.

[LaborIntensive]

I found this while researching this story: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCopBlock
Oh my God what an eye-opener to the tragedies out there. So much abuse of power and violence for enjoyment with no repercussions.