I can’t believe all the people here who are so transfixed with the aspect of “racism”. Sure, there could be some at play here, but let’s review the bidding before we jump to that particular conclusion:
1) ER was speeding 24 MPH over speed limit - Assumption
2) ER was caught speeding and police immediately followed with lights flashing - Assumption
3) ER failed to pull over immediately (we don’t know for how long, but evidence suggests there was sufficient time for yet another police vehicle to join the situation) - Assumption
4) Irrespective of the duration, ER did not pull over, opting instead to keep driving until reaching his own driveway - Fact - but he was home, it is not an unreasonable move to make by ER
5) ER got out of his vehicle despite the officer’s warning NOT to do so (remember the tinted windows aspect too) - Two different things here - He got out of the car when told not to, why? As for the Window Tint, we don't know whether the cop could see or not see so the tint's effect is an assumption
6) ER did NOT immediately return to his vehicle when told to do so (recall that it’s much more difficult to shoot an officer while sitting down from inside a vehicle vs when outside and standing up; also recall the police officer likely doesn’t know who this person is yet) - ER's hands were up in the air and he moved super slow, he was clearly scared as he should be. This is how people get shot
7) ER’s wife did not make a positive contribution to this situation (and she had no clue what had occurred prior to emerging from the house)- Witness
8) Once the police officer receives license and registration (and it appears that took some time while ER also looked for his insurance card/document) they run it on the computer to see if any other infractions, outstanding warrants, and/or criminal record. That can take several minutes. Even if 9 minutes had transpired (ER’s version of the story), that is not extraordinary.
9) After the fact, and when better able to review the circumstances as they transpired, the Police Dept decided to forego charging ER...and for good measure had police officer’s supervisor review engagement procedures.- Alternatively, he realized he had harassed a rich black man for no reason and could get seriously screwed, so he reviewed it with his supervisor to get his read on the situation
Sounds to me like an acceptable ending to the situation...with ER getting the benefit of the doubt and the police officer given heightened awareness concerning his sensitivity.- I agree the ending was acceptable, it is the stuff that happened before that seems unacceptable
I am not a police officer and rarely post on this forum (but appreciate it immensely).