Now that I see it, I am actually less bothered by it.
To me it seems sort of like a light smack a parent might give to a child who has been seriously misbehaving and continuously ignoring any verbal orders/instructions, so the parent can get the kid's attention and make a point...without really causing any serious damage. I am opposed to harsh corporal punishment, but a light smack once in a blue moon to regain the culprit's attention is sometimes appropriate IMO. This does not automatically make the next step the killing or crippling of a suspect or child.
However, I would reprimand the police officer, take him off active duty for a while (30 days? 90 days?) and send him to an appropriate class to learn proper police response.
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