@p_rehbein
I think they had to apprehend him. How to let a felon with a taser just run away? They would be held responsible... Damned if you do, damned if you don't, I think that's what this was... A lot of people (not talking about you) think that they want the police that backs down and just lets people go. It will be interesting when the scales start tipping over, and it's already beginning, policemen in their county all called sick quickly, they offered them bonuses, but what is a measly bonus versus a possibility for a felony murder charge, witch hunt, and public demonization for doing your job. What about their trauma and stress?
Many people were posting legal excerpts under video uploads, according to that taser is considered "less lethal" (meaning,
less likely to be lethal but it
can be, this is not to be confused with "non lethal") and also possibility of "serious injury" here justifies deadly force
legally. (I emphasize "legally" because I'm speaking what the law says on this, not my personal feelings)...
As to how I feel about it it's a bit of a gray area. I believe police should not be just shooting people by default, but also should have the right to defend themselves. If lives aren't worthless fodder, that also applies to the lives of policemen. The direction all this is headed to reminds me of horrible self defense laws in my home country. Basically if a robber barges into your house and threatens you with a knife, you aren't allowed to use a gun against him. It has to be equal or a smaller force to what he's using, so you also must pick a knife or wrestle, because a stronger weapon isn't legal, and even if you didn't use a bigger force, you may end up in prison for murder or end up being sued, if things go wrong. I am not inventing this, it really is that bad.
I think you're right for bringing up nuances... whether it was required, I basically agree with everything the dude in the video said, every word was in place - he really thought it throughout.
I kept wondering what was there really that they could've done better. Was there anything. Oh yeah, I know, they could have tased him to begin with when he started violently resisting and punching them, instead of warning him several times in attempt to avoid hurting him, he would most likely be alive and well now, but then it would be "police brutality" and they would be called racist pigs, so nope, couldn't have done that.
They could not just "pick him up later". He can steal a car and keep running. He just attacked two policeman and stole a weapon to avoid being arrested, why would he go straight home after that to be found and arrested? How to let an intoxicated person with violent history go like that? They pose a threat to others. How to know they will not harm someone on their way?
Some people asked, why didn't they "just tell him to move the vehicle" or "just called Uber for him" or "just called his family to pick him up"? It's like people have lost all sanity and every concept of what it means to be an adult. They are there to enforce the law. No matter what skin color. People even go as far to claim he wasn't drunk just sleeping, even though it's on seen the video (breathalyzer). Some say, "why didn't they just let him go"? To go drive drunk and kill himself or someone else or disable for life.
Wendy's burned after that. Some people say Wendy's "deserved" the burning, because they are "racist" for calling police on him, and that it's all their fault. And also, "why didn't they walk out to wake him up"? But their employees cannot walk out at that time for safety reasons, I believe.
Another thing, whoever called the police, probably the manager... If you see someone passed out like that, you are thinking most likely drunk (in which case it is unsafe for them to drive), or a medical emergency, one really isn't likely to be resting and sleeping in a car that is running. Either way, you make sure they're checked on. Calling the police was the proper course of action, I seriously doubt it was racist motivation or trying to get anyone into trouble, people think hatred only nowadays to the point that they can't even think straight anymore. Then these people lose their jobs after angry mob burns the place. Can anybody win in this story?
I only see shifting of responsibility to everyone else, what could others have done, blaming literally everyone except Brooks himself. Some people bring up that he wasn't informed in advance that he was being arrested and what for.
But police isn't obliged to do so. I believe they tried to not cause him to panic and be friendly, rather than sounding all official and scaring him. Can you imagine the freakout if they said "you are now under arrest", followed with the whole movie script...?