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This is what happens when little people get a little power. It's not illegal to take pictures or videos of cops in public, and I have to believe that the cops know it, but they get used to some of the little perks of their job, including the power to boss people around, and they don't like it when someone gets in their way. So they use their position to harass people. Maybe most cops won't act this way, but a fair number do. I once gave a cop some lip while walking on my way to a meeting, and he followed me all the way to the meeting, into the building and up the elevator, trying to goad me into taking a punch at him (as if I give a shit what names he calls me). Finally, right before I got out of the elevator, I said "Listen, asshole. You can call me what you want, you think you're a big shot because you have a badge and a gun. But just remember, there's a closed circuit camera in here, and if you do anything to me it's recorded. So just keep spewing your shit if it makes you feel better, but try anything smart and I'll sue your ass and ruin your career. And your union rep won't be able to help you."
And with that I turned my back on him and walked out.
So that's the reason I think it's a bad idea to give people power. Many people can't handle it well, and that goes for bureaucrats, city officials, cops, health inspectors - anyone who works for the government or for a monopoly (like the local cable company, for instance). Many of these positions are necessary, and I'm not advocating getting rid of them, but we have to recognize that between power hunger and the opportunities for corruption, the best thing we can do is minimize the opportunities. People should as much as possible have the ability to go elsewhere for the services they want - that minimizes abuse and corruption. And it makes people much more polite.
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