NYPD Shooting Adds To Laundry List For Potential Martial Law
On December 20, two on-duty NYPD officers were assassinated in their patrol car when a gunman fired on them in cold-blood. The area around Tompkins Avenue, near the Smart Deli & Grill, was in disarray afterwards. According to Al Jazeera – America, today’s shooting was done by one man.
Authorities say the killer, 28-year-old Ismaaiyl Brinsley, walked up to the officers’ vehicle before adopting a shooting stance and opening fire. The suspect then ran into a subway where he turned the gun on himself.
Truly, it is a sad state of events. The two NYPD officers’ names were Wenjin Liu and Rafael Ramos. Respectfully, fellow officers mourn the fallen officers, lining the streets as they are placed in the emergency vehicle.
Furthermore, the NYPD 106th Precinct gives social tribute via Twitter. The precinct states:
R.I.P. brothers. We will always remember PO Liu and PO Ramos! Keep them and their families in your prayers — NYPD 84th Precinct
#RIP brothers. We will always remember PO Liu and PO Ramos! Keep them and their families in your prayers. @NYPD84Pct pic.twitter.com/vYSPSVh3Dl
— NYPD 106th Precinct (@NYPD106Pct) December 21, 2014
With law enforcement and civilian tensions so high, it seems like the killing of these two NYPD officers will only escalate the situations — especially given all the recent happenings concerning police brutality. Though there are some citizens saying “an eye for an eye,” the act only provides further injustice to the families who are left to deal with the burdens of their deaths.
Though police brutality is a current issue, not all officers are corrupt enough to overuse their powers. Even in the case of these wrong doings, there are torts available. One could sue the city for its use of excessive force. Does it serve as a substitute for death-by-officer? No, it surely does not. However, it’s at least some form of justice via due process.
Nonetheless, if things should continue to escalate — with nationwide riots, looting and killings — it is only a matter of time before there will be an executive order for martial law, to gain some type of governmental control. Then, it will really be the case that “…anything you say or do can and will be used against you (Miranda rights excerpt).” Tort possibilities could seemingly be eliminated if martial law is in effect.
Sure, NYPD has used its share of excessive force — such as the recent case with Eric Garner. However, the officers who used such wrongful force were not the officers who lost their lives to the gunman.
What about their families? If they had children and wives, did they get to say “goodbye” before leaving for work? It must become the case that individuals think about the ramifications of their actions before executing them, law-enforcement individuals included.
For good, accountable officers — yet — it cannot be ignored that there are actual people in the world who have aims to commit evil. Likewise, they even commit their lives to such a thing. Officers have to deal with a lot from careless people, especially NYPD officers — given that New York City is the most populated city in the U.S., with several boroughs throughout — and several grades of those willing to harm others, NYPD officers or even themselves.
Think of how lawless it would be if these officers were not placing their lives on the line for people they don’t know. How would it be? There’s actually a depiction of how it would look — The Purge. In the movie, all emergency services were suspended for only 12 hours. And for those 12 hours, U.S. citizens descend into complete and utter anarchy.
Is that what’s preferred?
[Feature Image via Getty Images]
