Thread by @tisaiahcho

As more details emerge about the police shooting of Ma'Khia Bryant, I'm more and more convinced that we have an underlying and systemic problem in policing that needs an overhaul, not just some fine tuning here and there.

nbcnews.com/news/us-news/c…

Interim Police Chief Woods said, "...when officers are faced with someone employing deadly force, deadly force can be the response the officer gives."

But the underlying question is, *why* is that the policy? Why is deescalation not the first action?

Woods adds: "...it is not a policy requirement that you yell your intent to fire your weapon."

Again, why is this not a policy requirement?

Why was Ma'Khia seen as a threat rather than a minor defending herself from adult women? Implicit bias and the "adultification" of

Black girls is hugely important to consider here.

Why do we not have alternative support possibilities (e.g. social services) for these kinds of incidents rather than an armed policeman/policewoman?

The entire system is shaped in such a way that is overly conducive to unjust

killings. There is a "shoot first, deescalate if necessary" policy in the current policing in Columbus (and no doubt around the nation as well).

Christians especially need to work together in solidarity to keep our representatives and local city officials accountable and

pressure them toward real, substantive, and radical change.