There was a story recently in The Post that brought back to the forefront of my mind an event I participated in covering while working in Selma, Ala.
Regardless of the length a time a person has worked in this business — particularly those who have worked in the newsroom — they would no doubt have come across a story or two that they would have rather had nothing to do with.
Those reading the stories that are written sometimes forget that those writing the stories are in fact human and have feelings too.
One such story in my career was the police involved shooting in Selma in December 2013.
In that case, which has now been well publicized recently by CNN and other outlets, an elderly man, who was involved in a public disturbance at a Selma restaurant when he displayed a hatchet, was confronted by officers.
One of those officers, a veteran of the force, shot and killed the suspect after the suspect reportedly made a threatening move toward the officer with the hatchet.
This shooting was well before the tragic situation in Ferguson, Mo. or the events surrounding the death of a robbery suspect in New York City at the hands of New York police officers.
Much like in those cases, although earlier and to less of a degree on a national scale, a grand jury chose not to indict the officer in Selma. Although some were upset by their decision, there were no riots or outcry.
Maybe that was because from the very beginning everyone knew there was a video of the shooting courtesy of a lapel video camera worn by the Selma officer.
But, in response to some criticism, the Selma Police Department responded, purchasing electric stun guns for its officers, giving law enforcement officials a less-than-lethal option to use in future responses.
Two weeks ago, the newspaper in Selma, The Selma Times-Journal, was given the video and released it to the public. The department chose to release the video to help dispel rumors and innuendos about what was on it.
After covering the initial shooting and reaction, seeing the video was tough, as I know it was for the friends and family of the suspect. And, after seeing the video, you can hear the heartbreak in the officer’s comments just seconds after pulling the trigger.
The lack of a video of the Ferguson incident no doubt added to the uncertainty, the claims of a cover-up and bias. In regards to the shooting in Selma, having the video, although the situation drew protestors and threats of lawsuits from the family, no doubt helped curb the speculation.
This week, we heard Vicksburg Police Chief Walter Armstrong say he would hope the department could at some point purchase lapel cameras for its force of more than 70 officers.
Based on the experience of others and the lessons learned by others, it would be nice to see the department add this valuable tool.
Not only does it provide video proof to help prosecute a case, but it also provides video proof of any officer wrongdoings and video that can be used in helping teach and train current and future officers.
Maybe the addition of this technology to the Vicksburg force, which would nearly match that of the technology already in use by the Warren County Sheriffs Office, can help defuse any future situations.
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Tim Reeves is publisher of The Vicksburg Post and can be reached by email at tim.reeves@vicksburgpost.com or by phone at 601-636-4545 ext. 122.