Minneapolis police shooting of Australian woman sparks questions about body cameras

[webfact]

Minneapolis police shooting of Australian woman sparks questions about body cameras

By Todd Melby

 

Justine Damond, also known as Justine Ruszczyk, from Sydney, is seen in this 2015 photo released by Stephen Govel Photography in New York, U.S., on July 17, 2017. Courtesy Stephen Govel/Stephen Govel Photography/Handout via REUTERS

 

MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - Authorities and activists on Monday questioned why Minneapolis police who fatally shot an Australian woman over the weekend did not have their body cameras turned on during the incident.

 

Justine Damond's American fiance also wondered about the details of how she was shot. She had called the police to report a suspected sexual assault near her home, fiance Don Damond told reporters outside the home.

 

"We lost the dearest of people and we are desperate for information," Damond said. "Piecing together Justine's last moments before the homicide would be a small comfort as we grieve this tragedy."

 

Also known as Justine Ruszczyk, she had already taken Damond's last name.

 

Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Minnesota called for answers on why the two responding officers failed to turn on their body cameras when they arrived at Damond's home in a quiet, upper-middle-class neighborhood shortly before midnight on Saturday.

 

Police shot Damond, originally from Sydney, through the door of their patrol car as she approached them in an alley near her home, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported, citing three unnamed sources.

 

Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau called Damond's death "tragic" in a statement on Monday and promised a "transparent" investigation.

 

Damond's father, John Ruszczyk, told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday that her death was "our worst nightmare".

 

"Justine was a beacon to all of us. We only ask that the light of justice shine down on the circumstances of her death," he said.

 

OFFICER IMMIGRATED FROM SOMALIA

 

The officer who shot Damond was identified by the Minneapolis Star Tribune and other local media as Mohamed Noor.

 

Noor's lawyer, Tom Plunkett, said in a statement that Noor extends his condolences to Damond's family. The statement did not describe Noor's role in the shooting, and authorities have not confirmed the identities of the officers involved.

 

"He came to the United States at a young age and is thankful to have had so many opportunities," Plunkett said of Noor, who was previously described by the city as a native of Somalia.

 

"The current environment for police is difficult, but Officer Noor accepts this as part of his calling. We would like to say more and will in the future."

 

Hundreds took to the streets of Minneapolis on Sunday to protest Damond's shooting.

 

The state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), which reviews shootings involving the police in Minneapolis, said the dashboard camera in the officers' patrol car did not capture the shooting. The BCA is seeking any civilian video of the incident.

 

The ACLU of Minnesota called for the release of the audio from Damond's 911 call, along with any audio from the officers' dash camera. The group's interim executive director, Teresa Nelson, said the officers failed to obey department rules by not having their body cameras on.

 

Damond owned a meditation and life-coaching company, according to her personal website. Media gave her age as 40.

 

Sarah Darmody, who said in a Facebook post that she had been friends with Damond since high school in Sydney, blamed the shooting on the gun laws in the United States, which has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the world.

 

"There is no good reason and there are no other countries in the world where people would rather arm everyone than stop this happening," Darmody wrote. "I'm so sad and so angry I can't even breathe."

 

Both officers have been placed on administrative leave, the state BCA said. Minneapolis police referred further questions about the incident to the BCA.

 

(Additional reporting by Jonathan Allen and Chris Michaud in New York and James Redmayne in Sydney, writing by Gina Cherelus; Editing by David Gregorio, Cynthia Osterman and Neil Fullick)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-07-18

[champers]

It will be intetesting to see if their is any back and forth discourse on this between Messrs Trump and Turnbull.

RIP Miss Diamond.

[Rimmer]

An inflammatory troll post and two replies have been removed

[YetAnother]

BOTH of them had their body cams off?!

[perthperson]

American "law enforcement"  seems to have regressed to Wild West days,  "Shoot first then ask the questions" 

 

Doubt there will be any riots in support of this lady ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[worgeordie]

"Honest mistake", or does that only apply to Thailand.

regards Worgeordie

[mrdome]

Such an unbelievable story, shooting an unarmed woman in her PJ's ....

 

Now that it was a white victim, hopefully there will be more spotlight on cops murdering innocent people.

[perthperson]

On reflection I do have some (not a lot) of sympathy with the police especially those charged with policing some of the more "challenging" places in the US where the streets are awash with weaponry some of which out-guns the Police sidearms. 

 

Sadly though I have to conclude there is a discipline/attitude problem infecting Americas police. 

 

European police (the vast majority of whom are armed) do not recurrently experience poor policing which results in civilian "death by cop" cases. 

[bumpkin]

22 minutes ago, perthperson said:

On reflection I do have some (not a lot) of sympathy with the police especially those charged with policing some of the more "challenging" places in the US where the streets are awash with weaponry some of which out-guns the Police sidearms. 

 

Sadly though I have to conclude there is a discipline/attitude problem infecting Americas police. 

 

European police (the vast majority of whom are armed) do not recurrently experience poor policing which results in civilian "death by cop" cases. 

but,  the report states "" home in a quiet, upper-middle-class neighborhood "".        so, not the challenge to which you refer.

[perthperson]

35 minutes ago, bumpkin said:

but,  the report states "" home in a quiet, upper-middle-class neighborhood "".        so, not the challenge to which you refer.

Exactly -- Which is why I point to what I believe to be a discipline /attitude problem infecting American police  -  even those working in "quiet, upper-middle-class neighborhoods". 

[Grubster]

Police in the US used to be able to serve and protect, but now they have been turned into cash cows told to actively seek out lawbreakers such as those without seat belts or those smoking in public or having a private poker game not in a state run casino etc. etc. etc. They are becoming public enemy number one in a lot of ways when they used to be called by name by citizens of their communities and/or neighborhoods. Now the local governments Judges, Lawyers etc. depend on them to bring in a lot of cash.    Who wants to be a cop in this new environment, not many.  The quality of police is fading fast due to these issues I believe.  I have also always thought that you should never hire a cop that wants to be a cop, I know that sounds and maybe is stupid but it seems to me that those who really want to be cops are a little off. Hire those who are looking for a job, any job. Anyway, what a shame this story is.

[iReason]

3 minutes ago, perthperson said:

Please don't encourage a racist bigot.

 

They deserve to be outed.

 

I like to see them vainly attempt to justify their ignorant, vile, twisted mindset.

 

Especially those who are fervent supporters of the inept fool in the White House.

 

As evidenced.

[Scott]

Off-topic posts and replies removed.   One person is on suspension and others will follow if members continue with nasty, bigoted remarks.  

[iReason]

1 hour ago, Grubster said:

Police in the US used to be able to serve and protect, ...

They are becoming public enemy number one in a lot of ways when they used to be called by name by citizens of their communities and/or neighborhoods.

 

I agree.

 

My father was a NY State Trooper.

My uncle was a city cop.

 

Neither were anything close to some cops now.

Neither ever fired their gun.

 

I knew many cops in L.A., and in discussion with them,

they lamented privately that cops were being recruited directly after serving in the Armed Forces.  Guys I knew said, bad move, these recruits had a "us and them" mentality regarding the public and were too quick to temper. That's when L.A. started becoming militarized.

[rgraham]

Very sad indeed.

[Grubster]

35 minutes ago, iReason said:

 

I agree.

 

My father was a NY State Trooper.

My uncle was a city cop.

 

Neither were anything close to some cops now.

Neither ever fired their gun.

 

I knew many cops in L.A., and in discussion with them, they lamented privately that cops were being recruited directly after serving in the Armed Forces. Guys I knew said, bad move, these recruits had a "us and them" mentality regarding the public and were too quick to temper.  That's when L.A. started becoming militarized.

It sure makes you wonder why you would hire a guy who has been shot at and missed many times and maybe hit a couple times to do a job that would require a cool head in a fast moving situation doesn't it. I remember all the cops in my town fondly and I was a hoodlum, they set us straight and made us their friends and we grew out of it. I have seen some of those old guys in the last few years and we would laugh about the stupid stuff I did back then. I don't know when the cops lost the respect of the people but it seems good people as well as bad don't like cops anymore.  I guess they used to pull you over to let you know your brake lights weren't working, now they bust your balls for it.

[iReason]

23 minutes ago, Grubster said:

It sure makes you wonder why you would hire a guy who has been shot at and missed many times and maybe hit a couple times to do a job that would require a cool head in a fast moving situation doesn't it.

 

This was in the '80/90s.

 

I don't think any of them saw that kind of action.

Unless they were in Granada...

[Grubster]

10 minutes ago, iReason said:

 

This was in the '80/90s.

 

I don't think any of them saw that kind of action.

Unless they were in Granada...

OK but I was referring to combat veterans as in myself who I do not think can handle a hot situation on the domestic front. I know I would over react if I felt threatened. Its part of shell shock or PTSD.

[Ulic]

Police forces have become totally militarized. Absolutely the wrong direction to go when you want do deescalate a confrontational situation. As for these two bozos they did not have their cameras on as per protocol, and failed to switch on their cameras after the firing of their weapons also protocol. Every statement they make has to be viewed from the context of being self serving. I have long since changed views on police from friend and protector of the community to guys with guns who are no more honest and have no more integrity than the criminals they are supposed to protect us from. I am sure there are many great policemen but I am also sure there are many bad policemen, not just a few bad apples. The thin blue line of silence protects them all. They bitch like hell when the community does not come forward as witnesses but act just the same when it comes to there fellow officers offences.

[manarak]

a shocking story.

this bit is particularly unbelievable:

Quote

Police shot Damond, originally from Sydney, through the door of their patrol car as she approached them in an alley

 

with all the horrible news, it certainly looks like police in the US is not under control anymore. time for a massive change.

[starky]

According to reports the deceased is the 543rd police shooting fatality this year. A woman in pyjamas shot by police through the door when they were on a callout for a woman in distress. Tragic. Americans and their ridiculous fascination with firearms.

[Rancid]

12 hours ago, iReason said:

 

I agree.

 

My father was a NY State Trooper.

My uncle was a city cop.

 

Neither were anything close to some cops now.

Neither ever fired their gun.

 

I knew many cops in L.A., and in discussion with them,

they lamented privately that cops were being recruited directly after serving in the Armed Forces.  Guys I knew said, bad move, these recruits had a "us and them" mentality regarding the public and were too quick to temper. That's when L.A. started becoming militarized.

Its sad to see the western trend of police changing from respected defenders of the community to those that the community fear. Most pictures of police we see these days look more heavily armed than the Marines, but probably without the same level of discipline and training.

[bert bloggs]

This must be a PR nightmare for the city , their only Muslim ,Somalian immegrant police officer ,shoots a white woman in her pyjamas ,i await the "white lives matter" marches with baited breath .

[greenchair]

She's white, he's a muslim.

[White Christmas13]

Cop refuses to explain shooting 

 

http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/at-work/police-shooters-partner-stunned-by-fatal-shooting-of-justine-damond/news-story/2d970505fa5dbdc18361cc38a0bf88bf

 

[bert bloggs]

I see that the officer is already under investigation in another case for the use of exesive force ,  no wonder he is saying nothing , i hope he gets a long long prison term .

[simple1]

40 minutes ago, White Christmas13 said:

Cop refuses to explain shooting 

 

http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/at-work/police-shooters-partner-stunned-by-fatal-shooting-of-justine-damond/news-story/2d970505fa5dbdc18361cc38a0bf88bf

 

The Officer has issued an apology. As the investigation is being viewed as a homicide would assume the Officer wants legal representation present when being interviewed.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/18/justine-damond-police-shooting-mohamed-noor-minneapolis

[Rimmer]

Multiple inflammatory posts from the same member have been removed, please read the forum rules before you post further in particular this one:

 

7) You will respect fellow members and post in a civil manner. No personal attacks, hateful or insulting towards other members, (flaming) Stalking of members on either the forum or via PM will not be allowed.
.

 

 

[USPatriot]

Sure give Simone from another country a job as a police officer what could go wrong.

 

I wonder if he was taking bribes like they do in Somalia. 

[i claudius]

The Officer has issued an apology. As the investigation is being viewed as a homicide would assume the Officer wants legal representation present when being interviewed.
 
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/18/justine-damond-police-shooting-mohamed-noor-minneapolis

The Guardian. Who reads it?( Advertizing is dropping like a stone ) hardly anyone it seems

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