Police vs youth

[ThisElfRocksHard]

A friend just sent me this, and I thought it was discussion-worthy. Here is a video of a police officer and a Baltimore youth, and I am not going to comment further--I am curious to know the opinions of the regulars as to whether or not what we are seeing is just. Take a gander, and let me know:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GgWrV8TcUc

[Zantheus]

I think the guy should lose his job...he has no right to be treating a couple kids like that....looks like he was on a power trip cause his wife prob smacks him around. My family is filled with police officers and I can tell you this is not how they deal with a retarded situation like that

[Hammy]

This cop reminds me of the cop in Magnolia, when he is talking to the little kid or the junkie girl.

Some observations from a law enforcement / safety enforcement perspective:

I first have a problem with the fact that he doesnt see the camera is training value one. Unnoticed camera is no different than failing to observe your surroundings. That could be a gun instead of a camera. Surroundings are a primary awareness over all issues.

Becoming physical with kids that weigh less than 100lbs to his 250 is a point of abuse and criminal assault.

There is also the problem with the audio- where we dont know what the kid said to upset him. We can only hear two of the kids, not the third who becomes the center of the altercation. There is a possibility that he doesnt know what was said either, and is just reactive.

He's also failed to call in, which is something that needs to be done the moment you are in an incident involving a minor, or a female, and you are on patrol alone. Before proceeding, he should have sat everyone down and called for an observer. The time would have allowed him to think and calm down before making a mistake.

From a Parents Point of View

My kid is an idiot, and needs to watch him mouth.

He's skating at a public area, and probably should not be. Cite him or detain him and call me. Bellowing is not going to make him want to follow the rules- the message is lost on us both when you do.

My son disrespected a police officer? Can you please wait for me to arrive - I'll let you observe while I show him how I feel about that.

I dont need you to distribute moral education with civil education. They are seperate topics, and to you mr officer, it doesnt matter.

You have limited rights by law when it comes to how you address minors- remember that

****
From the kids point of view

***

Awww wtf? WE're not hurting anyone or vandalizing anything.
Whatever.
He's not going away- okay I better stop.
Dude- why is he yelling at me- maybe I should ask him "dude-"
why is he yelling at me about dude?
Im confused now- did I accidentally commit homicide?
What am I in trouble for? not realizing he needed us to stop? not pulling out my earpohones? saying "dude"? I dont understand
WTF? Why is he pushing me down? My BOARD!!!!
Dont cry- jeez dont cry- WHY is he yelling at me and making me scared?
My name?
My address?
I cant even remember if I put on underwear this AM.

[Variable_az]

First of all I'm in law enforcement; this "officer" was way out of line. He siezed the skateboard without any probable cause or a warrant. He assaulted the kid when the kid had used no physical aggressiveness toward the officer. It doesn't matter what the kid said to the cop. Anyone can say anything they want to a public officer. If he tries to say that the kid was disturbing the peace by insulting him or talking back to him it won't hold up in court. Judges have recently ruled that a law enforcement officer's peace cannot be disturbed. This cop needs to be put on suspension and go under investigation. If I would have seen him do that to my son I would arrest him and call his Captain and inform him that I arrested him for assaulting and threatening the family member of a Federal law enforcement officer. I would then contact the U.S. Attorney's office and see to it that they prosecute him to the full extent. He's nothing but a bully that has to pick on children to make him feel more like a man... what a disgrace to law enforcement!! It really infuriates me when I see cops or agents do this!!

[-Bar]

While I feel that as a whole we should be harder on our youth. The police officer has over stepped his right. Even if the kid was wrong. I would have wrote down his badge number and name and filed a complaint with his CO. If he ever ran into me and had that attitude I would knock him into his next life then call a real Cop. He should be glad I wasn't there when he did that or I would do what my Grandfather calls a "citizens arrest". He should lose his job or be demoted to worst position on the force...


It is tempting to look up the Baltimore PD phone number and file a complaint. He gave out his damn name. Provide the video and go from there... should check out the Baltimore news and see if he has already been reported.

[Thrashdragon]

The officer was suspended with pay pending an IA investigation (no speakers at work so instead of watching the vid I looked up the story).

[Hammy]

Variable made me remember something I forgot-

At first I thought this guy was a CSO (community service officer) or rent-a-cop.

Thats how bad he made me feel about his demeanor.

[th3st1ck]

http://wjz.com/local/youtube.salvato....2.651552.html
Suspended.

[Trooper110]

Blood sugar went crazy because he scared him? I've been diabetic since I was 6, almost 25 now, and the only thing that has ever effected my blood sugar is exercise or lack there of. Stress can have some effects, but nothing immediate that would occur right then at the situation. People need to quit trying to milk situations with quotes like that.

On the other hand, what the officer did was uncalled for and stupid, and it's good to see something is being done about it.

[-IRC-MIKE]

I do believe I would have to whoop a man's ass over that. THEN I'd worry about calling whoever else...if it was even necessary after I was done making a mud puddle out of him. I wouldn't bother calling NOBODY if I knew there was a camera that caught the whole thing. After I beat him down, I'd make sure he knew it was all on tape.

I'm no badass or anything like that and I do have the utmost respect for every form of law enforcement...actually they should be highly paid for what they do... but they can talk to me however they want. I'm a man and I can handle myself, but don't harrass my kids or my wife without reason, then I won't have to show them my evil, demented other self.

[{CLR} Major.Massacre]

First of all I'm in law enforcement; this "officer" was way out of line. He siezed the skateboard without any probable cause or a warrant. He assaulted the kid when the kid had used no physical aggressiveness toward the officer. It doesn't matter what the kid said to the cop. Anyone can say anything they want to a public officer. If he tries to say that the kid was disturbing the peace by insulting him or talking back to him it won't hold up in court. Judges have recently ruled that a law enforcement officer's peace cannot be disturbed. This cop needs to be put on suspension and go under investigation. If I would have seen him do that to my son I would arrest him and call his Captain and inform him that I arrested him for assaulting and threatening the family member of a Federal law enforcement officer. I would then contact the U.S. Attorney's office and see to it that they prosecute him to the full extent. He's nothing but a bully that has to pick on children to make him feel more like a man... what a disgrace to law enforcement!! It really infuriates me when I see cops or agents do this!!

+1 He dishonours the badge and what it upholds!

[Variable_az]

I was pretty upset at his behavior from the beginning. Very unprofessional, I could tell immediately that he had lost control. They teach every LEO to use and have officer presence. 99% of the time that is what keeps dangerous situations from getting out of control. Basically you portray yourself through confidence and tact to be a one tough guy or gal... someone not to mess with. You take control be staying calm and straight forward and determined. You don't have any officer presence or control when you start yelling and screaming, especially at a child. Officer presence is all in how you present yourself to the person or persons you are addressing. I have kept myself alive many times simply by how I carried myself. Not by yelling because I'm having a bad day or anything like that. I'm glad his department is dealing with him. hopefully it was just an isolated incident, but usually guys like that get with this crap for years before someone reports them.

[-IRC-MIKE]

+1

They get away with it for years before someone reports them or kicks the ever-living $#!^ out of them.

I agree. Presenting yourself as an officer will earn you the respect as one. Anything other than that deserves equal treatment.

[drunken_chef]

a lot has been said regarding the POs actions and I agree totally.

however, was I the only one here that was taught from a young age to respect officers of the law and only address them as "sir" or "officer". the common thread I see in a lot of the police abuse videos is that

1) civilian addresses the officer in an inappropriate manner

2) the civilian argues with the officer

be smart, swallow your pride and let the policeman contol the situation. if he is wrong. then, get your day in court.

[Thrashdragon]

Finally watched it. While that kid probably needed that verbal beatdown, it wasn't the officer's place to administer it. And putting his hands on the kid was over the line. At least no one was hurt. I did enjoy how offensive he found the word "dude" to be.