Is it training that needs improved, culture, or what?
Shooting someone running away in the back cannot be acceptable unless there is a clear and present danger. I get the officer had an adrenaline rush, but that is what training should help in.
Plus the officer was allowed back to the body to drop something. The first thing responding officers should have done was remove him. Set up some perimeter he could not enter. If it is SOP to allow the police officer access, that needs changed.
There was a shooting in SC last year where the guy told the cop his license and insurance card were in the car. The cop told him to get them, when he did the cop shot him. Now, the guy moved normally, he did not painstakingly slowly turn and reach in. But he was complying with what he was told and I am sure has never trained for this scenario. The officer I am sure had, or should have.
The problem is we are creating too many contact points. So much of policing has become the idea of stopping for any reason and see what you find. The recent case was a broken taillight. Andy Griffith would have pulled up next to him and spoke out the window asking him if he knew it was out and to replace it ASAP.
Of course in a lot of communities, fines have become a major revenue stream. That also needs corrected.
Police have a tough job, but I believe we have made it tougher. If we are going to have these small infractions (seatbelts,taillights for two examples), let's just start with a friendly "hey, you need to be in compliance". I am sure the DB can indicate a taillight was reported out two weeks ago, then a stop becomes better imo.
Maybe training needs improved. Processes certainly do, that officer waa allowed back to the body. A case exists in Columbus where a guy supposedly committed suicide. His wife and children were home when he allegedly shot himself. One of the detectives who handled the crime scene is related to the wife. Maybe nothing nefarious happened, I just know many friends in Columbus have been up in arms over this. Why an officer would not immediately recuse himself is amazing. And if other officers knew, why they didn't insist is inexcusable.