. . .The latest victim of a police shooting is a man with an impressive record of felony convictions and drug use. James Jahar Perez , 28, had nearly toxic levels of cocaine in his system and baggies of the substance stuffed in his mouth and pockets when shot by the police — 24 seconds after he was told to get out of his car. Since the shooting occurred eight days ago, the city's minority citizens have expressed both outrage and fear.

There is a good fact-based argument to be made that this shooting should not have occurred. There doesn't seem to have been probable cause to stop Perez. Less than 30 seconds is not very long to give a driver to get out of his car. The two policemen Tasered him for three minutes after shooting him. The manufacturers of the Taser say they have never heard of anyone using a Taser that long. (The blast is supposed to last a few seconds.) The cop who fired the shots has a record of pulling his weapon on unarmed people. His psychological profile says he was borderline mentally for being hired as a policeman.

Sery says that he is leaving the police force to become a minister. I am not sure what to make of that. I've known people who have used religion as a foundation for compassion and caring for others. But, I've also known people who use religion as a confirmation of their own self-righteousness. Not only do they approve of whatever they do, they believe God does, too. Though, predictably, Sery was not held accountable for killing Perez, the circumstances of the shooting are enough to give a reasonable person pause. Sery's record of pulling and pointing his weapon at unarmed people confirms one's doubts. I believe metropolitan Portland will be a safer place with Jason Sery wearing vestments instead of carrying a gun.

Note: This entry also appeared at Silver Rights.