You just outlined the problem. Cops are running around thinking they are 0.7 seconds from death. Every single interaction they have with the public is approached from that angle. In reality cops face a far greater threat from traffic accidents than from violence.
We shouldn't be "In their sights" unless theres a dang good reason. This man could have been taken down different ways without shooting him.
I guess when you live in a police state you need to get used to living 0.7 seconds away from being shot by a cop.
I understand the sentiments of your posting and am in alignment with that sentiment. However, I think in this particular case it may be misplaced. I'd also add that for the most part, the police officers that I see are not "walking around thinking they are 0.7 seconds away from death" but when they are in the middle of a situation, then I am sure they ARE on such alert.
While I believe that every life is valuable, it is still rather amazing that we have statistically so few incidences that result in a police officer shooting someone. Remember, they don't deal with the average bell curve of society. They generally deal constantly with the worst elements of the public, so by the statistics it is clear that in general they are very disciplined as a profession.
I do also agree that there is a potential for a bad apple to do much harm and that often they do get protected by the "blue wall." In cases such as Eric Garner's (NY "loosies" seller that was chocked to death) then I would place the blame on the legislatures that pass rediculous laws that the police are enforcing. I think that we have much more opportunities to create police states via legislatures, but will agree that individual officers or departments can become tyrants themselves.
OK, I apologize for my rambling and likely confusing post. I keep getting interrupted and don't have time to do a proof read....
Let me make one final point regarding your understandable sentimate that this person could have been taken down in other ways. Yes, and paramount to that was his responsibility to adhere to the commands and go to the ground. That was the simple solution and the individual failed to take that responsibility seriously. In addition, the fact that he was shot by a single round, while 5 officers had trained their weapons on him is another sign of incredible restraint on their part....