Allard Avenue incident not quite as portrayed in comment sections of blogs

I did not go to the EPD press conference because I had a previously scheduled appointment. Chief Mills gave this statement and answered questions from the press.

Lost Coast Outpost has a audio, Times-Standard has an article up on the website.

There was a gun, there were commands given , and more to the story than what was alleged in LOCO comments. In a situation like this, eyewitnesses that are not objective or held to any accountability commenting and fueling the emotions in LOCO or any other blog do a disservice to the victim and the police.

Thank you Chief Mills for sharing what you can while an investigation is ongoing. It is not easy to be law enforcement in this county. For people who constantly criticize and second guess the police, do their job for 1 day, I guarantee you will not be as calm and professional as they are.

Chief Mills statement:

The events that took place in the early morning hours of September 17 are tragic. I have spoken to Thomas’ mother and I feel for her; my sympathies are with her.  These events will have a life time of impact for the family, our officers and the community.  Decisions made in seconds have a lifelong impact.  Such is the nature of policing.

Society places our young men and women in dangerous situations, and expects them to make difficult decisions and be right each time. I have the same expectation. Then we evaluate their decisions in the bright light of day and inspect their actions with time, a controlled environment and the calm of a controlled setting.  As police officers we expect scrutiny.  In fact we welcome it, because that is what a just society does.  It is part of policing in a free society.

There are those who would seek to disparage Tommy McClain or vilify the police for their own selfish purposes.  This is unacceptable.
Reasonable people seek to build civility, improve government service and advance the quality of life in Eureka.

The purpose of this briefing is to provide you with information that is transparent and open. This Investigation is conducted for two purposes: to provide a report for the DA to review and for the community to make a sound, rational judgment based on facts, not speculation.

As Chief, I want the community to have confidence that this investigation by the Multi-Agency, Critical Investigative Response Team (CIRT) is being handled thoroughly, objectively and professionally.  I am confident the ongoing investigation is reaching each of those goals.  I am also confident the facts of this case support the actions of Eureka Police officers in this incident.