If you are a police officer and you shoot someone

[rustydog]

your weapon is confiscated for ballistics testing etc...
When you are a self-appointed neighborhood watch "Captain" and you shoot a black teen
in Florida, you get to go home, with your firearm!

The police will alcohol and drug test the dead body but let the shooter go home with no testing what so ever...
Why is this police department allowed to continue operating? Why is theinvestigating officer still on duty?
Why is the police Chief still on the payroll?

[MindandSoul]

1. Yes, it's pretty sick, isn't it?

But I hope the outcry from so many people all over the US will make a difference, at least in this case. We can't just let it go like that.

[seeviewonder]

2. It needed to be said.

Well put as far as unequal treatment goes.

[safeinOhio]

3. As reported on MSNBC tonight,

even the writer of the SYG law in Florida is saying the law needs be changed.

[EC]

4. The cop would also have

to prove that whoever he shot had a weapon also. I think now they even require counseling if they kill someone.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

5. Are you sure of your data?

Looking for sources for
- He got to take his firearm home that night
- There was no testing done to Zimmerman while he was in custody
- How long he was in custody

The lack of data is both strange and infuriating, as is the fact the Zimmerman is not under arrest.

[rustydog]

6. He was allowed to leave after claiming self defense

The police chief said there was nothing they could do because of the law.
the shooter was not tested for drugs and or alcohol
witnesses were not questioned prior to his release.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

11. I concur with the first one

It was in the interview in the local paper.

Where do you find that he was not tested for drugs or alcohol?

My understanding is that some witness statements were taken after he was taken into custody, but that they were far from complete when they let him go.

Do you have a source for when they let him go?

[murray hill farm]

9. Did Zimmerman have a license to carry a concealed weapon?

That is still a requirement in the State of Florida! I have not heard anyone ask that question! It would seem unlikely he would qualify for one and carrying one without a license is a felony offense in Florida.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

10. Seen that he had one from several (hopefully independent) sources

[LiberalFighter]

7. It is also troubling that the council only voted 3-2

against a vote of confidence. And the town manager is weighing cautiously on the issue.

Does this suggest there is corruption in the town?

[lonestarnot]

12. 3-2 was the vote?

Where did you read, hear or see that?

[X_Digger]

13. MSNBC among others. n/t

[lonestarnot]

14. Thanks X_Digger.

[RoccoR5955]

8. My BS meter went off the scale.

If you're a cop and you shoot someone, you generally get off scott free!

[TexasProgresive]

15. That may be true but

The officer must turn in his gun and is put on paid administrative leave (desk duty) while the shooting is investigated.

[RoccoR5955]

16. So the fuzz has to turn in only

his or her service weapon, and then gets paid to do very little. A good use for your tax dollars. Perhaps if they got an UNPAID leave, they wouldn't shoot as much.

[felix_numinous]

17. I wonder if this is 'normal procedure' for that county.

This whole police force needs to be investigated because so many broken protocols speaks of long term corruption. This cannot be the first time they handled a case in this way. And we all know it.