Assuming the data are accurate (Location of the cars, casing, and tranjectory) then there is no way Bullock’s testimony that he fired near his car door is truthful.

Remember when a non-cop used that excuse to get away with murder? No.

Following significant investigation, review, and analysis, the Department has concluded that the unintentional shooting was due to a reflex-like involuntary muscle contraction experienced by MPO Bullock as he was drawing his weapon and moving toward Mr. Culosi. Although the act was clearly unintentional, MPO Bullock was held accountable and responsible for the unintentional discharge, and a violation of Department regulations was sustained against him.

Let me get this straight. He pointed a loaded gun, safety off, at an obviously unarmed, compliant man… then pulled the trigger. And… his punishment is 3 weeks unpaid leave and subsequent reassignment?

“reflex-like involuntary muscle contraction” I think the technical term for that is “Trigger happy”.

Every time I read this sort of phrase, I think to myself “Ah, the house was clean, but they didn’t want to walk away completely empty handed.”

“Finding” a baggie of marijuana or meth large enough to count as personal use could fit inside the wrist of the glove of the cop who did the finding.

Aside from the fact that I absolutely don’t think such things should even be illegal, after the Kathryn Johnston affair, I’m not even capable of believing the cops when they say they “found” such an amount when executing a “dealer” warrant, anymore.

And there have been cases when an enquiry was set up to make one lot look bad and ended up uncovering some very different wrong doing.

There is a danger of one of these commissions merely confirming the pre-conceptions of the commissioner and the counsel assisting the commissioner. But in general they are more effective at dealing with corruption than anything in the US.

Take a look at this police SWAT video where a drug suspect was shot dead in his own home last year.

http://www.copblock.org/1594/search-and-destroy-utah-swat-team-murders-drug-suspect-on-video/

Yes, it was a nighttime, No-Knock Dynamic entry, dramatically increasing the confusion and mis-identification inherent in a NIGHTTIME No-Knock SWAT raid.

Yes, every police officer was holding a firearm, which is actually counter-intuitive if the police are actually going to handcuff an individual.

Yes, there were confusing shouts from the police, with multiple officers yelling over each others’ yells.

Yes, the startled suspect was shot three times, twice in the chest and once in the head, before he was even given a chance of dropping the golf club he was holding in front of him.

The man’s life was extinguished within 7 seconds of SWAT entry into the house.

Yes, the police handcuffed the wounded suspect, to ensure a complete bleed-out without rendering assistance. EMT was “called”.

Yes, the District Attorney cleared all the police involved.

P.S. The drug search warrant alleged he was a drug dealer, but SWAT did not find anything other than an insignificant amount of contraband, at the personal usage level, i.e. a small amount of marijuana, and meth residue.

Looks to me like this case was actually tried by the insurance company and the cops were found guilty.

And how is it that “department policy” or “department training” magically transmogrify into law? Really? The police get to make their own law? That seems to be what’s happening as they use “policy” or “training” as justifications for violating individual rights. They use “disorderly conduct” or “failure to obey” charges to punish individuals who do stand up for their rights. How the hell can “failure to obey” even be a crime in a free society??

If a police officer cannot deal with non-violent individuals face-to-face, professionally, with civility and respect, then they are unfit to serve in a position of authority and public trust. Period.

Allowing our public servants to behave as though they are our masters will be our downfall if we permit it.

Your blog tracked this tragedy from its inception. I did not realize the culpability of the Fairfax County Detective David Baucum in enticing Sal Culosi, Jr. into increasing his betting stakes above the $2K state limit for running a wagering operation.

Clever entrapment. Detective Baucum deserves a commendation for resourceful entrapment of an Optometrist.

Regarding using SWAT to serve warrants for victimless, non-violent crimes:

By doing so, the police can transfer virtually ALL the risk to the citizenry. After all, the police have repeatedly and boisterously proclaimed that the most important thing to them is to go home safely at the end of their shift.

Even if it leaves a non-violent suspect dead…….

The sad Sal Culosi case proves the concept is not theoretical.

Keep up the excellent and NECESSARY work to pursue justice through educating people and shining a spotlight on evil, corrupt people. You are far more a hero than pretty much any cop.