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The cop's actions were out of line. Like I said, I'm not defending that. At the same time, if the kid had simply responded 'yes sir' when the cop told him he couldn't skateboard there, the whole situation would've been avoided. That's what I was referring to above. He wanted to be tough and be a smartass to a cop, he was inviting trouble. The cop's reaction was way out of order, yes, but the kid did kind of provoke it.
Odds are, with the officer identifying himself on the video, disciplinary action is being taken or has been taken already.
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I agree completely.
It seems like this whole issue was a training issue.
If this man's father (or an actual male authority figure) had actually taught this kid respect for his elders and respect for police, he could've avoided the situation.
If this officer's commanding officer (or other authority figure) had actually taught him respect for his badge and the "how you act when you wear this badge has an effect on all of us" lesson, he could've avoided the situation.
In my opinion, the "mature" response from the child would've been to reply respectfully and leave, and the "mature" response from the officer would've been to tell the child that could and would be being cited for obstruction and whatever other ordinance prevents skateboarding there if he did not comply with an officer's request and leave.
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see, it just goes to show how corrupt the law enforcement system is when we're not even allowed to stand out ground right then and there on a legal basis without being instantly labeled as a troublemaker, or "obstructing justice" or whatever nonsense they show up with.
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I don't see this as an indictment of corrupt law enforcement, it reminds me of the people I see everyday on Cops who come up with a line like "I'M A TAXPAYER I PAY YOUR SALARY I DON'T HAVE TO TAKE THIS SHIT." Police officers have an extremely tough job, and the laws are DESIGNED so that people who want to obstruct justice and cause trouble just because they feel they have a right to be do not actually disrupt their work. If you want to "stand your ground," do it through his superiors and/or the court system. Arguing with an officer in the middle of the street is only 'standing your ground on a legal basis' like complaining that 'pot shouldn't be illegal' when you're being arrested for possession of it.
The "I'm an e-tough-guy and I will not stand for bullying" line is great, but when push comes to shove, these are still just two people. Just because you feel off-put by someone's bullying doesn't mean you can't reply respectfully, saving you AND your friends some time and anxiety dealing with a bully. I've seen this situation roll out way too many times to think any differently. You're leaving a bar and some drunk guy wants to try to push your friends around and cause trouble.
Do you (a) Ignore him and/or 'surrender' to his bullying by acknowledging that he's "tougher than you" or (b) beat him to a pulp, leaving you and your friends held up at the bar until the police arrive and arrest you both for public intox and assault / mutual combat. I used to have friends that were (b), but they were just a waste of time. I fail to see how any one with a bit of common sense won't just suck it up and do (a), whether the bully is a town drunk, police officer, or employer.
My temper flares when I feel like I'm being bullied too, but I know that acting disrespectful, angry, or defiant will not actually stop the bullying, and it will actually worsen the situation. If I can remain calm, I regain the upper hand. Not only does it make me a better person to remain calm in the face of bullying, but it gives me the power to actually DO something about it when I go into the station later. If I come in arrested for obstruction or assault on a police officer, who is going to believe that he was "bullying" me?
Watch any episode of COPS and you'll see that officers like this are BY FAR the minority, and that most officers you meet are just husbands and sons, doing what they do because they want to protect YOU and keep society safe. I have
nothing but respect for the uniform, and I've met some bad apples - I had an officer yell at me while pulled off the side of the road that "IF I WAS YOUR DAD, I'D KICK YOUR ASS RIGHT NOW."