Yesterday a video surfaced on social media of a Minnesota Officer kneeling on the neck of an already detained man, the video was ten minutes long, the officer knelt on his neck for seven, during that time, the man himself, and bystanders, where telling the officer he can’t breath, and to “get off him”.

I watched that video in horror, asking myself, why did someone not do more then tell him to stop? I can’t imagine how those standing right there felt. To watch a man die, because the only recourse they have is a phone with a camera, so they film, in hopes that accountability will come with their account.

I also found myself asking , when do we as citizens step up to defend what we see is obviously police brutality, especially when other officers stand by and do nothing?

I will be the first to admit, police have one of the hardest jobs in the country, many they deal with are hardened criminals with no regard for the rule of law, or the officers who are enforcing them. You commit a crime, you deserve to do the time, accountability is a must in a civilized nation, and I for one appreciate those who serve honorably to keep our country civil.

With that said, I am appalled at what I witnessed, I am angry that others where forced to watch helplessly, with their camera, their only weapon. This kind of brutality happens way to often in a country we call civilized, many times, the officers are not found at fault, and anger and resentment builds.

Now we watch as the people of Minnesota stand toe to toe with the other officers of that department, the only ones not standing with them are the four officers that started another angry standoff with the people of that state. I am happy to see so many standing and protesting the actions of this officer, but it should of never gotten to this point to begin with.

So, I will leave you to ponder this, when is it our duty to protect a life? if that had been a thug doing that to someone, would you not intervened? That badge and title, is just that when a cop crosses the line into the criminal world.