Video: Black Panther Leader Tries Use-of-Force Scenarios, Changes Tune

As the head of Houston's New Black Panther Party, Quanell X has led years of protests against police use of force. But in a training exercise at the Missouri City (Texas) Police Department, he saw the view from inside the line of fire.

M Pol Activist Trg

VIDEO: Black Panther Leader Tries Use-of-Force Scenarios, Changes Tune

As the head of Houston's New Black Panther Party, Quanell X has led years of protests against police use of force. But in a training exercise at the Missouri City (Texas) Police Department, he saw the view from inside the line of fire, reports KENS.

Quanell went through four live-action scenarios that were all based on things that have actually happened. He had to decide whether to shoot, hold fire, or use a TASER. The experience shook his ideas of what he might do if he were a cop.

He'll walk away calling for people to comply with police.

"Please brothers and sisters, if they tell you to do something, do it," said Quanell. "When the suspect started being combative or argumentative, I want to pull my gun."

After a lifetime of second-guessing police, Quanell now sees shades of gray in situations that once seemed purely black and white.

"As an activist, we want to respond to the family's hurt and pain immediately, but we could possibly respond very incorrectly, if we don't take our time to gather some facts, ma'am, because these situations, they go from zero to 100 in a split second."

Quanell X still believes many police officers are too quick to use deadly force, and he's not backing off from being a critic when he thinks cops deserve it.

About the Author
Page 1 of 2379
Next Page