ilikehorses wrote:this is why it is important for everyone to know their rights and know what to do if stopped by police. a cop cannot make you sit or do anything just because he wants you to.
if this kid had been informed, he may have still lost his skateboard (obviously, that's a violation of the constitution as well), but this would've been a better situation.
it's easy for people in power, like the police, to abuse their power and pick on people when people don't know how to handle the situation or their rights.
the aclu and other organizations have great information on your rights when stopped by police. i suggest everyone read up on it. it might come in handy.
Did the cop say he just 'wanted' the kids to sit, or were they trespassing/loitering? He did tell them they were not allowed to ride their skateboards there. He can absolutely tell the kids to sit down, shut up, and address him as officer or sir. Go back and watch the beginning of the video. The cop is being totally civil until the kid acts like an idiot.
Kid1 (black shirt) - Addresses the officer as sir. otherwise has marbles in his
fucking mouth, can't make out the rest.
Rivieri - Hey
Kid2 (white shirt with writing) - what?
Rivieri - Can you hear me?
Kid2 - Yeah
Rivieri - ......you're not allowed to ride your skateboards here.
Kid 2 - I didn't hear you.
All he had to say here was, "sorry officer" "won't happen again" "I didn't know that"
If he really didn't hear him, fine, but don't sit there and try to have a pissing contest with a cop. Look them in the eye, answer their question(s)
Rivieri - .....where are you from?
Kid 2 - ..I didn't do anything
Wrong answer.
It's not always about 'knowing your rights'. Never once did the kids say anything close to an apology, or addressing the cop (yes he is a cop, not a meter maid) with any level of respect.
That having been said, the cop was probably out of line when he got physical. For all we know when the cop goes out of frame the kid could have raised his skateboard behind his head, or the cop just doesn't know how to control his temper.
If you want to banter on about how to address a cop, fine. Here are two examples from personal experience.
Near where I work there is a gas station. I work late, and sometimes drop in right after work for beer, food etc.....
Most nights there's an on-duty DM police officer who comes in and shoots the shit with me and the overnight clerk. we talk about the gas station's gas-delivery semi driver who keeps taking the wrong route (residential streets and not commercial or some shit) and in general questions about what civilians can and cannot do legally. I've said to him, "later man" and "later dude" plenty of times.
I stayed at a friend's apartment in Iowa City for a weekend. He lived in an apartment on Linn street. I left for Des Moines on Sunday and found myself going through the intersection at Gilbert and Market. If you've ever been through that intersection, you'll know what I'm talking about. Before the lights, your lane converts directly into a left turn lane. You don't merge or lean left, you just go straight and that's the left turn lane. Well to get to the interstate I needed to go straight through and continue on the same street. In order to do this, unbeknownst to me, I was supposed to merge right, then merge left. It's fucked up.
So I go straight over the left turn lane, and a cop was on Market waiting to go through. He pulls me over.
I do everything by the book. Pull over, turn on the hazard flashers, kill the engine and stereo, roll down the window, and put my hands at ten and two on the steering wheel.
He comes up and says good evening. I look him in the eye and say "good evening officer." He asks if I know why he pulled me over. Still looking him in the eye, I reply "Honestly I have no idea." He explains my illegal lane change. I apologize and tell him I'm not that familiar with Iowa City, just visiting a friend for the weekend. He nods and casually asks if I've had anything to drink. I tell him I had one beer about 3 hours ago*.
He nods and takes license and registration etc. back to his cruiser. He comes back and says "have a safe trip back to Des Moines."
Did you read what happened? I told a cop I had been drinking (in the eyes of the law, one beer is drinking) and driving. No sobriety test, no breathalyzer. Why? He could tell I was being honest, but I also treated him with respect. Calling him Officer, looking him in the eye, answering his questions promptly.
Anyone on this board who says they can call an on-duty cop whatever they want is a liar and a pussy. They would never do that. Prove me wrong.
In case you already forgot, let me remind you I disagree with the cop's use of force. I find it hard to believe it was necessary against a tiny kid like that. The kid needs to learn some respect, and fast. Not every situation is black and white. Take it case by case.
*Thank you for pointing out I was in Iowa City and only had one beer, you shit chucking ape. Yes, I am not that big of a drinker, I'll still match you shot for shot. I only had one because I was fucking going to be driving for an hour and a half.
