Only in San Francisco?

[radioburning]

Since it keeps being ignored, I'll point it out-

The cop sasses the kid first. He sarcastically asks, to the kid sitting on the ground not saying a word, "What's the matter? Are you ashamed?". Also, the kid wasn't mouthing off to the cop. The cop asked him a question, and the kid answered the question with his honest opinion. Was it the absolute best way to answer? Probably not. Was he giving information that the cop was asking for? Yep.

P.s. for all the "gotcha journalism" theories about why the kids had a video camera, skaters do that all the time. It's called "footie"(footage), you film yourself and send it in to companies to get sponsored or to get in a skate video. Or, if you're already sponsored, you need to constantly have fresh footie for promotional videos...

[11Z50]

This was clearly an "attitude test" arrest. The Cop talks waaaaay too much trash. In my experience, if you are going to make an arrest, do it and get the hell out of there. To stick around bantering with the locals is a rookie mistake. I would hope that a sworn officer would have better things to do.

[yzErnie]

This was clearly an "attitude test" arrest.

Read no malice into my words...

You're basing that on what?...on a portion of the entire incident that was showed on the video? I would think a 'veteran' LEO would have more of an open mind about a situation such as this.

Were you around when the Rodney King video came out?...Officers aquitted. How about the Ivory Webb video?...Deputy aquitted. In both cases poeple demanded their heads on a platter yet when taken to a jury of their peers they were aquitted. I guess I just don't understand how someone can make a condemning opinion based on a video that shows only a fraction of what really happened.

[sc_expg]

Since it keeps being ignored, I'll point it out-

The cop sasses the kid first. He sarcastically asks, to the kid sitting on the ground not saying a word, "What's the matter? Are you ashamed?". Also, the kid wasn't mouthing off to the cop. The cop asked him a question, and the kid answered the question with his honest opinion. Was it the absolute best way to answer? Probably not. Was he giving information that the cop was asking for? Yep.

P.s. for all the "gotcha journalism" theories about why the kids had a video camera, skaters do that all the time. It's called "footie"(footage), you film yourself and send it in to companies to get sponsored or to get in a skate video. Or, if you're already sponsored, you need to constantly have fresh footie for promotional videos...

Actually, if you watch the video from the beginning the Officer is asking the skaters friends if they have any aspirin because the skater appears to have a headache. The friends respond that they have Ibuprofen and the skater states he doesn't have a headache. The Officer proceeds to ask him what is wrong and if it is that he is ashamed. The skater states he is "pissed off." The Officer asks pissed of at what and the skater replies that the Officer is a f*cking d*ck.

[Gunny]

agree

I'm on the cop's side and yeah, I'm biased. I've had my share of insolence in Benicia while trying to walk on the sidewalk to Raley's, but am forced to dodge the little jerks who skate and bike on the walkways when it's clearly posted not to.

What's so difficult to understand when an officer instructs you to quit doing what you're doing because it's against the law?

If that boy had shown some courtesy instead of cursing at the officer, the outcome may have been different.

Agreed. Also the citizen who got involved should have been cited for obstruction.

[rich9644]

I am biased, and I have worked with that Officer. I've worked with him directly (while I was at Southern) but I don't know him on a personal level. Let me clear one thing up: he is a great Officer.

That being said, I am always asked questions from friends about "Why this? Why That?" (in regards to a police incident). My answer is this: I don't know. I wasn't there."

Then they respond with "Well, I would have done this"

To which I reply "How long have you been a cop for?"

The only person that can decide what is right and wrong is the person who is physically there in the moment. Even having a camera on during the whole event doesn't show what the Officer see's. Our training and experiences differentiates us with those who do not have our training (or anything similar). Just like how it does with an electrician, or a doctor. For anyone that doesn't know what it's like to be an officer, I suggest you do a ride-a-long with your local jurisdiction- prefereably for a few days. You will be amazed at how things look from the opposite side.

Edited to add: The above goes for ALL occupations.

[luckystrike]

TO LIGHTEN THINGS UP in here with reguards of wood pushers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klCSyq0Ii14

[wboughton]

TO LIGHTEN THINGS UP in here with reguards of wood pushers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klCSyq0Ii14

haha thank you for that.

Jeffry Jeffries...hahaha

inside voices are nice.

[Steyrlp10]

TO LIGHTEN THINGS UP in here with reguards of wood pushers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klCSyq0Ii14

Holy cow - I need ear protection!

[rsandovaljr]

I am going to side with the police officer. I must state that I am bias because I live in san francisco and deal with bike messengers and skate boarders, who either damage personal property or have come close to killing me crossing the street. Besides most of these skate boarders bully and harasse normal citizens and have no regard for the law. Score one for the good guys.

[for2nato]

my observation leads me to ask this. if the kid had threaten to break the officers arm, what charges would have been filed against him? where im from the action of threatening another person with bodily injury is a misdemeanor called terrorist threats. now the kid said some rude comments. but none mentioning bodily harm. the cop on the other hand did make threat to bodily injury. over a kid riding a skate board. doesnt seem like a violent crime, or situation to me. i can understand using "scare tactics" to help maintain control of a situation. but where is the line drawn. i can say this. just because somebody has peace officer status does not give them the right to break the law.