Recently, Rayshard Brooks was killed by Officer Rolfe. Since that time, charges have been filed against the him. As a result, two different distracts in Atlanta have had their officers walk. Several other police stations will most likely have to cover these districts which will be nearly impossible for them to do.
When you watch the video in its entirety, you’ll see that Officer Rolfe had arrived at the scene following a report that Rayshard was asleep at the wheel of his car in a Wendy’s parking lot. When he arrived, the car was parked. Rayshard was asked several questions, given a sobriety test, and was found to be under the influence. Several times he asked the Officer to drive him to his sisters house. Without reading him his Miranda Rights, Officer Rolfe started to handcuff Rayshard and said that he was being “taken in,” due to the fact he was intoxicated. Rayshard and Rolfe got into a scuffle and Rayshard took Rolfe’s taser, ran off, and then pointed it at him. Rolfe shot him.
According to the police, Officer Rolfe was following protocol because a weapon was involved and was aimed at him. Now, as to why he didn’t give Rayshard a ride to his sister’s house remains unanswered. A lot of questions are left unanswered. Which has led us to where we are now.
The Districts in Atlanta that no longer have Police Stations are going through what the police call “the Blue Flu.” This means that there’s a massive strike the police are showing in protest due to the fact that charges have been filed against Officer Rolfe.
Police have always operated under what’s known as “Blue Brotherhood.” There are other terms used such as “Blue Wall of Silence”, “Blue Code’, and “Blue Shield.” This all boils down to there a rule that police officers are to never report each other. This includes misconducts and any type of crime, including police brutality. So, when charges were officially filed against Officer Rolfe, the two districts in Atlanta where the police stations have been shut down in protest are following the Blue Brotherhood.
The city of Atlanta is under fire more than ever. The police versus the public is at an all time high, and there won’t be any winners by the end. Either Officer Rolfe is found innocent and then faces a very public backlash, or he’s found guilty which could lead to more Blue Flu’s in Atlanta.
What would have happened if Officer Rolfe had driven Rayshard to his sister’s house? What would have happened if Rayshard hadn’t taken Rolfe’s taser and pointed it at him? These are just two of many questions that will sadly, remain unanswered.
You can watch the video of the arrest linked below. Please know that the video is graphic. Credit to the YouTube Channel: 11Alive
Editorial commentary
Law enforcement has one fundamental job: uphold the law. While many questions have been raised regarding the officer not simply taking the man out, it does in fact, have a rather simplistic answer. Rashard was found in a parking lot, intoxicated, and passed out. Because he was behind the wheel, any officer would know that this man had clearly driven there drunk, placing himself, and the general public, in potential danger.
Once Rashard removed the officer’s weapon, he created an entirely new situation. While a taser is classified as “less than lethal,” for the officer it could mean death. If he had been shot with the weapon, it would had completely immobilized this cop. It would had given Rashard enough time to grab his service weapon, potentially murdering the cop. The debate regarding rather or not the officer was justified, comes down to this: yes. The officer followed protocol, protecting his life.
