In recent years, more attention has been paid to the use of deadly force by police officers towards unarmed civilians. Nick Selby, Ben Singleton, and Ed Flosi are the authors of “In context: Understanding Police Killings of Unarmed Civilians," which takes an in-depth look at the issue.
During Wednesday’s First Coast Connect, Selby talked about the book and answered questions surrounding police-involved shootings.
Selby, a police detective near Dallas, said his background is in information security and intelligence. He is also a firearms instructor.
One of the main objectives of the non-fiction book is to present data of cases of unarmed civilian being shot in a way readers could understand.
“We wanted it to be in plain English,” Selby said, “so that even if you disagree with our conclusion, you can see how we got to it, and then we give you the data to make up your own mind.”
Selby believes there were two crucial findings that are apparent after writing the book. The police need to release more data and release it more quickly so the public isn't left to guess and the media is left to speculate.
The second important finding was 46 percent of cases involved drug abuse or the mentally ill.
“The key finding is that we need to stop treating mental illness and drug addiction as if they are problems at the margins of society." Selby said. “They are the largest group that law enforcement deals with.”
Selby's co-authors, who were not in studio, also have an extensive background in law enforcement. Singleton has been an officer specializing in narcotics and fugitives for 10 years. Flosi is an officer who serves as an expert witness in cases against officers who use excessive force for both the prosecution and defense.