Correct. And so it should be.
There is a world of difference between a fact that we can ascertain with forensics and material evidence, and one person's assertion of what they thought that cannot be meaningfully countered. A cop shoots a black man with no witnesses, and claims he thought the man was drawing a gun. Who's to gainsay that? And don't we think that cop might very plausibly lie, given the risk of punishment if he had no good reason?
I agree there's a difference between forensics and statements, but again, that goes to every scenario ever. An inquiry was held, questions were asked, and if the inquiry is doing its job, I doubt it's going to ask a single question of a single person. I can pick and choose what to believe as well, even in the light of inquiries that go against what I choose to believe.
As for the cop scenario, there's a number of mitigating circumstances. First, even if there's no witnesses, there's still body cameras, so if it wasn't on/working, why? Second, if the officer is alone, again, why, because that would usually be a rarity. Third, you mentioned forensics - this is a scenario where forensics could potentially come into play, so if the forensics look damning on the officer, then there's evidence against his statements.
The officer very might plausibly lie, but I don't think it's really an equivalant scenario.
Yes, many of us have. I can't honestly say it's stopped me doing my job, though.
Which is good. Hasn't stopped you from doing your job, hasn't stopped me from doing my job, shouldn't have stopped the security guard from doing his job.
So.. what this guard did is incredibly weird... right? Like out of the norm?
Don't know about "incredibly weird" per se, but the unease would be normal, not acting on it isn't.
Like, specifically, how do you think the guard should have approached. He's so worried about harassing people (I think the term was in the article). Does that sound like a security guard
Should act on the customer feedback, approach the person, and then act from there (I say act from there because there's a strong chance that guidelines are in place for approaching members of the public). At least ask to open the backpack.
And yes, that does sound like a security guard. I know the stereotype of the security guard who's a bully, who gets off on a power high and all that, and I've no doubt that there's security guards like that, but I've never worked with or met anyone who works in security who's actually like that. Most security guards want to get through the day with as little trouble as possible, and if there is trouble, approach it with trepidation (I've been asked to come with them to provide support multiple occasions). If anything, security guards are less active than I'd like because a lot of the time they spend time sitting down and/or looking at their phones rather than moving around the library and making sure everything's fine.
So yes, the guard's unease is very understandable. It doesn't excuse him from not acting on it. I mean, hypothetically Agema is right, and he's lying (though then I can accuse anyone here of lying for lack of evidence), and if that's the case, that makes the situation even worse.
'For fear of being called racist'
Some people are SO scared of a word they dont do their job. Man, it must hurt you guys physically, like a stab in the back or something, when someone says it
I'm sorry, but I don't know what your point is.
People feared being called racist (understandably) and didn't act (not understandably). If you're criticizing the authorities, then yes, they deserve to be criticized. Well done. We agree. Have a cookie.