Comments on: You Really Want a Police State?

By: Nigel

Nigel — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:13:59 +0000

While I would 9 times out of 10 agree that when a cop says “Move”, I’m moving…

In this case the cop shoved the guy INTO THE STREET.

Further, the producer, despite his disrespect, was perfectly in his right to be on a public sidewalk.

There were better ways to handle this. I am a HUGE police supporter and know at least two dozen cops. I know a few would have probably been this bullying, but most would not have put their hands on the producer considering that:

1. He was not a threat to the police or anyone around.

2. Clearly he is a member (emphasis on “member”, heh) of the media with cameras around. How dumb do you have to be to manhandle a TV producer with cameras rolling? Media guys might be pricks, but could the cops not figure out their bullying actions would not end up on the national news?

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:40:50 +0000

I’m having a hard time believing Cop’s Eye is not a troll.

By: Tbird

Tbird — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:53:16 +0000

I guess if the Brown Palace Hotel had filed a complaint against Jews, the cops would have started arresting anyone walking by who was wearing a Yarmulka.
Hhhmmm…..has a familiar ring to it. Doesn’t it?

By: Juvenal

Juvenal — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:34:32 +0000

Cop’s Eye View, are police sergeants generally supposed to be smoking gigantic cigars while on duty? It just struck me as odd.

One other observation about the video: That guy would not get off his cell phone, even while being manhandled. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that that was one of the factors that led to him getting manhandled in the first place. Nothing conveys a lack of respect for authority like saying “Yeah, ok dude, just a second,” with a cell phone stuck in your ear.

By: Emmett Flatus

Emmett Flatus — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:33:28 +0000

Nice copout cop. The blue wall is intact.

By: Cop's Eye View

Cop's Eye View — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:45:20 +0000

Well, as a police officer, I can offer a “cop’s eye view” of this vid.
First, let me say that none of us, even those with who are police officers and Supervisors (as I am), can really say what went on here and why. Incomplete video does not tell the entire story. We have to know, among other things, what orders the police on that particular detail were under. Perhaps they had orders to keep that section of sidewalk clear of people? We don’t know either way, so the whole “why did the cop tell him to move” arguement is pointless.

One thing I can say for certain is this – in the first half of the video, when a cop tells you to move, one of many wrong answers is “Alright, hold on.” YOU are not in charge, the COP is. Do what you’re told to do by the officer when told to do so – this is how order is ultimately maintained. If you don’t like it, too bad. The time to contest is NOT then and there.

I can’t say why the arrest took place in the second part of the vid – not enough info. As far as the force used to arrest the guy – looked reasonable to this Supervisor.

Long and short – I bet he and his crew will move next time they are told.

By: Nigel

Nigel — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:39:24 +0000

OMG…

How many times have you seen nosy press camped out on some poor schlubs FRONT YARD, and police do NOTHING?

Here’s a TV producer on a PUBLIC STREET…

Hmm. Who gave the directive, Comrade?

By: serr8d

serr8d — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:02:30 +0000

Cigar? Republicans?

Naaaah, that’s Bill Clinton all the way.

When he’s Obonga’s ambassador to Cuba in a few years, he can put his scent of approval on all of their cigar exports

By: Carin

Carin — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:00:36 +0000

Some nut over at HuffPo mentioned that the cigar was a sign that the police officer was a right-winger.

Because that’s our secret sign, right?