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by tstrimple 1878 days ago
Cooperation is no guarantee that you won't be extra-judiciously murdered without consequences either. We have plenty of examples like Philando Castile to put the myth of "just cooperate" to rest.
1 comments

So? There is no guarantee of anything, for anyone. But in terms of risk management, you can take some extremely simple steps to reduce the risk to approximately zero. Here's "the talk" that all parents can have with their kids:

1) Do your best to avoid breaking the law or associating with people that do. 2) If you have a police encounter, cooperate.

Does that /guarantee/ anything? Of course not. But follow those two simple rules and the odds of getting killed by police are /effectively/ zero. Yes, there's still a chance, but there's always a chance (for everyone, of all colors). But follow those two simple rules and you'll probably win the lottery or get hit by lightning first.

Step #2 is precisely the opposite of the advice that keeps innocent victims of the police out of jail. Cooperate, sure, but the actual advice that lawyers provide is not to talk, and end the interaction as firmly and respectfully as possible. As a reminder, cops are encouraged and professionally trained to manipulate and deceive, and they will use anything you say against you.

Your advice might work more effectively for someone privileged enough to be able to afford bail and a lawyer.

> Step #2 is precisely the opposite of the advice that keeps innocent victims of the police out of jail. Cooperate, sure

So... not quite the opposite after all? :)