 |
| Mary Knowlton/Facebook |
The 73-year-old was there as a student in the citizen academy, a free, eight-week class intended to give an "up-close and personal look" at what makes government in the quaint Florida town work. On this night, the group of 35 would tour the station and talk with officers, an essential part of the academy curriculum that has gained popularity cross-country amid a heated national debate about police violence.
When it came time to get that up-close look, Knowlton volunteered.
The hosting officers chose two students to role-play in a lethal force simulation, a scenario intended to demonstrate how and when officers decide to pull the trigger. Knowlton played the victim, Charlotte Sun photographer Sue Paquin told the newspaper, and a Punta Gorda police officer played a "bad guy." These scenarios are usually safe, acted out with either fake or empty weapons.
But when the officer's gun was fired, Knowlton – a mother, wife and career librarian – was hit
I used to be a CPLC member with Toronto Police (Community Police Liason) and we never had this kind of role playing. It is sad that the safety checks were not applied when this happened.
Read more here: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article94767487.html#storylink=cpy
