Solidarity Monterey writes: On February 22nd, 2014 a CSU Monterey Bay police officer arrived at a student’s apartment because the student was supposedly trying to commit suicide. Now that cop is likely going to be fired for not using excessive force; specifically, for not tasing the student. The details vary according to who recounts the story, and the whole thing has been complicated by a legal shitstorm between the CSUMB cop and their union on one side, and the city of Marina police department on the other.

The CSUMB cop claims that the student had calmed down and posed no threat to anyone by the time the Marina cops showed up. The Marina cops claim that they had to restrain the student and that the CSUMB cop refused to help them. But what is generally agreed upon by everyone involved is that this CSUMB cop is being fired for NOT using more force against the student.

Now, this author has noticed a strange position taken by some people, including some who otherwise oppose oppression and illegitimate authority: that this cop should not be fired. The argument seems to be that firing this cop will encourage more aggressive actions by police, that it reinforces the violence of this already incredibly violent institution. But the inherent violence of the police should point to an opposing position on this issue. Yes, fire this cop! Fire all cops!

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