Question

In Albuquerque, New Mexico, the death of a homeless man incited a violent protest over police brutality. Protesters claimed law enforcement officials abused using deadly force after officer’s shot and killed James Boyd, a 38-year-old homeless man with a history of mental illness who was illegally camping. Albuquerque police confirmed that officers fired six rounds of live ammunition while Boyd was lying on the ground and the police let loose a police dog. Boyd pleaded to the officers “Please don’t hurt me anymore. I can’t move”. Chief of Police, Gorden Eden, said the shooting was “justified” since Boyd had threatened officers with his two knives. Eden also brought up Boyd’s criminal record, which included a physical altercation with a police officer. Boyd died in the hospital the next day. Do you believe law enforcement officers were justified in shooting Boyd because he threatened them with two knives and had a prior record? Should have the officers stopped after Boyd pleaded with them? Did law enforcement officers violate Boyd’s civil liberties? Did law enforcement officers engage in excessive use of force? If law enforcement officers new Boyd suffered from a mental illness, could they have responded differently? Defend your answer. Be specific

Answer 1

1. The action of enforcement officers shooting Boyd is not Justifiable. As per Enforcement Officers, Boyd had past record and threatened them with two Knives. I am not agree with this as if Boyd would have threatened officers, he would not have pleaded with a requested not to beat him mercilessly.

2. Yes, the Police Officers should have stopped after Boyd pleaded with them.

3. Yes, Enforcement Officers violated Boyd’s civil liberties by beating him mercilessly and shooting him brutally.

4. Yes, Enforcement officers misused their powers which were given to them by the state with a good faith. But instead of providing safety and security to common people, enforcement officers misutilized their privileges and shoot Boyd.

5. Byod was a mentally sick person and if this fact was known to the enforcement Officers, they would have acted differently in this situation. They should have taken Boyd to the Hospital and treated him.