As a police officer, you are always on the lookout for danger. When you pulled over George Floyd, you weren’t expecting to find drugs in his car. As a result, Floyd was arrested and charged with drug possession. What could have gone wrong?
What Happened?
George Floyd, a police officer in Raleigh, North Carolina, was driving on patrol when he was pulled over for running a red light. The officer who pulled him over determined that Floyd had been drinking and asked him to step out of the car. When Floyd refused, the officer tried to get him out of the car by force. Floyd fought back and managed to get free from the officer’s grasp. He then ran away into a nearby wooded area.
After a short search, police found Floyd hiding in some bushes near a stream. He had minor injuries from the altercation with the officer and was arrested on charges of assault and resisting arrest. It is unclear what motivated Floyd to fight with the officer or run away from his stop.
What Were the Consequences?
George Floyd, who was pulled out of a police car in May, was charged with misdemeanor obstruction of justice. The charge stemmed from an incident in which Floyd allegedly stopped a witness from testifying in a trial. Floyd’s lawyer argued that his client’s removal from the car amounted to intimidation, and the charge was eventually dropped. However, the consequences of Floyd’s arrest were far-reaching. His mugshot and fingerprints were circulated throughout the police force, compromising his career as a law enforcement officer.
What Could Have Been Done Differently?
George Floyd was pulled out of his police car and killed after a high speed chase. The officers who pulled him out of the car could have done things differently in order to avoid the tragedy.
The officers should have tried to de-escalate the situation instead of pursuing the car at such a high speed. De-escalating the situation would have allowed for more communication with Floyd, which could have led to a different outcome.
If the officers had attempted to talk to Floyd, they may not have been as quick to pull him out of the car. By doing so, they may have been able to avoid this tragic loss of life.