Giving a huge benefit of doubt, that barely explains their initial behavior. The guy had two hands full when he was shoved. We can see that in the video. The officers continued to get closer and closer to the man. They were approaching him. They could have kept their distance and instructed him. They chose to approach him and get that close to him. That was not a fraction of second decision.
But let's assume their only option was to shove him for some reason that repeated examination of the video for sure does not reveal. Now explain why they just continued walking past him, watching him bleed on the ground. Once they were safe, what is their excuse for not immediately helping the person they just injured? In fact you can clearly see that one of the police started to bend down to do something - we could assume to help the guy - and the other officer stopped him.
What's the excuse for lying about the man tripping? If their actions are defensible, why did they lie at first?
> Giving a huge benefit of doubt, that barely explains their initial behavior. The guy had two hands full when he was shoved. We can see that in the video.
What does it matter whether he was carrying something in his hands?
> The officers continued to get closer and closer to the man. They were approaching him. They could have kept their distance and instructed him.
He was walking towards them, as well. Even if they stopped dead in their tracks, he would have walked into them.
> But let's assume their only option was to shove him for some reason that repeated examination of the video for sure does not reveal. Now explain why they just continued walking past him, watching him bleed on the ground. Once they were safe, what is their excuse for not immediately helping the person they just injured? In fact you can clearly see that one of the police started to bend down to do something - we could assume to help the guy - and the other officer stopped him.
Because the USA is extremely litigious, and if they touched him, they could get sued. You can also see them immediately radioing for a medic. If they are so heartless and cruel, why would they have done that?
> What's the excuse for lying about the man tripping? If their actions are defensible, why did they lie at first?
There is no excuse for that, but it is understandable. Cops, heck, anybody who does anything physical to someone else, often has to face enormous consequences. Because a split second decision, the police officer was possibly facing losing his job, being sued for hundreds of thousands of dollars, and even jail time.