More Liberal (removed)! If these pure political driven actions continue we will be unable to convince any good people to join the Police Departments!

"This is the first time in county history that the DA's office has filed criminal charges against a police officer for their actions during a shooting, according to Becton. "


Not surprising given Becton's complaints about the legal system being "flawed", "prejudiced", and in need of "transformation". We aren't going to be safer when the criminals are treated like victims, know they can get away with more offenses, and won't be held accountable for them - for so called "equity" reasons.

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From the article: “the need for a continued focus on de-escalation training and improved coordinated responses to individuals suffering from mental illness”

“Good people” would love to join the police department. The problem is the lack of serious training for dealing with people who are mentally ill. Our police officers are trained in military style tactics, have urban assault vehicles, and can be sent to calls in multiple numbers. This is us, our families, that are being shot and killed. We need to do better so we all are safe and protected, especially from death. I believe we are slowly taking the right steps in that direction.

The "good people" must not be showing up for job interviews Kathleen, Pleasanton PD has listed police officer candidates on their employment opportunities page for months now.

Two and a half years to decide to charge the police officer. Smacks of current political correctness rather that justice. I would say that anyone who commits a crime must be mentally ill otherwise they would not do the crime. Get the crazies off the street.

This is absolutely political if they originally said it was defensive initially - shame on the DA for that.

With that said, this officer seems to have at least two recorded incidences of using the ultimate form of defense in both cases. When you only have two police shootings in Danville from the same officer, when there are multiple other officers employed / on shift / reporting to calls its right to lean in.

Said differently if you were to blindly poll 20 officers would they respond in the same manner? Not likely - there's more than a lesson to be learned here.

At a min, officer Hall should be thanked for his service, and while he may have been accurate and right in accordance to his current training and actions, it would be wise to pursue an alternate career outside of law enforcement.

I remember the Rodney King situation where he being a strong individual was very difficult to apprehend and contain. The police in LA threw a net over him, realizing that this technique wouldn’t work if you were facing an armed person, but in cases where it could be applied why isn’t it? Certainly would be much better than shooting the subject, using choke holds or the knee on the neck.

Paine, the good people are unlikely to apply when you have a police force that isn’t sufficiently trained.

I agree with Kathleen. We don’t need military style training for police officers. We also need to raise the bar on who can become a police officer and raise the pay level to attract more qualified candidates. Skin color should not define how you are treated by police. White people behaving the same way get very different treatment from police.

What military training are you talking about? This is confusing me. Isn't officer training regulated by the state of CA? And I don't think its training that prevents people from doing this job, and "raising the bar" to what? I'm noticing a lot of buzz words and anecdotes but no real substance in this thread....

Paine, no buzzwords here.

Training - improve police training on de-escalation and dealing with mentally ill.

Raise the bar and pay more - what is the buzzword here. I am sure you guys consider this at your place of employment. Do I hire anyone who can fog a mirror or raise the job requirements along with pay so I can get more qualified candidates.

Just because you don’t agree, don’t call it buzzwords.

Raise the bar does not specify any details whatsoever. It's vague and ambiguous. What requirements would you have of our police officers? And how would you improve their training?

Paine, there definitely is need for deep training (change the culture/trends) in de-escalation and treatment of those with mental illness. There are families in our community who are afraid for their mentally ill family members. That should not be the case, here or anywhere else.

"deep training (change the culture/trends)" What in heavens name does that mean specifically.

PPD has had training on de-escalation. I am suggesting the training needs to go deeper into the culture of policing to cause real change. For trends, I’m encouraged there will be others to help officers with the mentally ill.

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people living for today
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people living life in peace, you
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people sharing all the world, you
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will be as one

John, you described America, before the May Flower!

Does Danville police carry stun gun?