"I'm *not* a dude"

[Stinky The Clown]

If you haven't seen this yet, be ready to be pissed off.

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

One of Charm City's finest. Auditioning for a bit part on The Wire, maybe?

[hisownpetard]

1. OMG. This made me sick to my stomach, literally.

What happened to the film of this incident. Right at the end, I heard the Fat Dude
ask someone if they were filming it, and then the sound cut off...

[Stinky The Clown]

2. The mayor's office has it now and the cop is suspended.

The kid's mom is suing the cop.

[Fridays Child]

8. Good.

What an asshole.

[NJmaverick]

172. The kids admit this was their hobby

they baited cops so they could film their reactions. The kids and their parents are the assholes.

[Fridays Child]

219. So, the kid is an asshole, huh? That doesn't change my opinion of the cop's behavior.

[NJmaverick]

243. The kid got what he desevered

I bet you are the type that wants to put a dog to sleep after kids like that throw rocks at it and taunt it to the point if gets fed up and bites them.

[Fridays Child]

258. Got what he deserved? That's a fine piece of jackbooted, vigilante justice.

I may not agree with every law on the books but thank goodness for the ones that protect me from people like you.

[NJmaverick]

267. Ahh and the cop hating bigotry rears it's ugly head

Do you hate any other groups? Blacks? Gays? Hispanics? Jews?

[jhrobbins]

299. Cops are human and as such run the gamut of types-if you think

that there are no 'bad ' cops and to comment on the questionable actions/behaviors of cops that do turn out to be indefensible is a bad thing seems to be a very myopic way of looking at law and order

[Fridays Child]

306. There is something wrong with you.

Get help. Seriously.

[El Pinko]

13. I don't think there's much grounds for a lawsuit...

...but he definitely deserves to be reprimanded and should have to apologize to the kid.

What an idiot blowhard.

[RoyGBiv]

19. Well, maybe ...

... but if I manhandled a 14 year old kid like that for no reason at all, my ass would be in jail.

[El Pinko]

21. From what I saw, he barely touched the boy and mostly yelled.

I think it would be hard to prove any real harm was done in court.

He's a big enough boy that I don't think he'll be permanently traumatized by having a fatass in shorts yell at him for 5 minutes.

[RoyGBiv]

24. He grabbed him around the neck ...

... and pushed him to the ground.

That's assault and battery for a normal person, regardless of whether the kid is traumatized for life. And one could make a rather decent argument he threatened to kill him. I mean, what precisely is any person supposed to think when a person with a gun who is obviously off his cork starts yammering about how riding a skateboard or calling people "dude" could get them killed?

Lawsuits have been filed and won for sillier reasons, and I repeat, if that were me, Middle Aged Everyman, my ass would be in jail.

That guy should not be allowed to be a cop at the least.

[El Pinko]

25. Changing my comment-

EDIT: I take back anything to do with your upbringing - it's irrelevant here.

I re-watched the video, and although I don't know whether this constitutes assault, it was clearly inappropriate physical contact




He didn't "threaten" the kid, he warned him that acting that way could get him killed.

His "warning" was batshit craziness, but it cannot be construed as a threat.

I agree that this person is not suited to police work, or any work where he is given a position of authority. He'd probably go ballistic on people even if he was a toll-booth collector.

[RoyGBiv]

29. Excuse me?

Oh, spare me. No, in fact, I was not treated "gently" as a kid. I actually had the holy shit beat out of me by an off-duty cop and so have no tolerance for this sort of insanity.

Appearing batshit crazy and screaming about what could get a person killed *while carrying a gun* constitutes assault in many courts.

[El Pinko]

30. Revising my comment here...

Re-watching the video, I'm taking my original comment back.

I don't know if it qualifies as assault, but it was definitely excessive force totally out of proportion to the situation.

[RoyGBiv]

32. Oh, you read minds now ...

Surely the kid never felt he was in any danger. No, never, especially not when the cop grabbed him around the fucking neck and especially not when he was *screaming* about what could get the kid killed, which was nothing more than using the word "dude" to refer to the cop.

As I said, spare me.

[RedCappedBandit]

36. Hah

If I walked up to a kid and did what this pig did, and a cop happened to see it, my ass would be in jail.

[RoyGBiv]

38. Allow me to re-respond to this ...

I should let it go, but I just can't.

Don't even pretend to know one damn thing about how I was treated as a child, and further don't even suggest that my view of this issue should in any way be colored by that treatment. So what if I had been treated "gently"? Does that make an adult grabbing a kid around the neck and throwing him to the ground okay when all that kid was doing was, admittedly (and arguably with a very good reason) being disrespectful? Respect is not inherited. It is earned. Just because you put on your cop badge doesn't automatically get you any respect. Should I be allowed to go grab every teenager out there who disrespects me and throw him to the ground, then scream at them about what might get them killed? Is that your idea of appropriate behavior?

If so, you have a problem, a serious one, and you shouldn't be allowed around kids, ever.

This cop committed an act of physical violence against a teenager because he was riding a fucking skateboard where he wasn't allowed to do so and -- oh the horror -- did not show the kind of respect the cop wanted. That cop is a bully and a threat, and he should be fired *at least* for it.

Once again, *I* would be in jail. Cops should be held to the same standards and so my ultimate opinion is that *he* should be in jail. Being a cop doesn't excuse you from observing the law, not to mention plain common sense. I couldn't do that to my *child* without risking some sort of action from child services. No random idiot on the street wearing his fucking bumblebee outfit should be allowed to do that kind of thing either.

What would really be interesting would be to see where this went had the cop not discovered he was being filmed. But I'm glad it didn't because I fear a lot more harm would have occurred, and the kid did not deserve that.

[El Pinko]

45. Regardless of how you were treated as a kid...

It's definitely excessive use of force in light of the situation.

I'm no legal expert, so I'll back off the issue of whether this qualifies as assault.

I agree that this officer needs to be reprimanded or possibly fired, but it just seems that assault charges are a rather extreme response to what amounts to rough handling.

The courts may see it differently, and the kid's parents certainly have the right to try.


BTW, I didn't think the kids were being disrespectful. A lot of kids just talk this way without thinking anything of it.

If they were trying to be disrespectful, they would have called him "beeyotch" or something worse. "Dude" is not disrespectful, IMO. And we as citizens should not be expected to call policemen "sir" or "Officer So-and-so" as though they were our overlords.



But I really don't think this nut would have ever harmed the kids. In his own warped mind, he probably thought he was teaching them a lesson of some sort.

[RoyGBiv]

46. Okay then ...

'nuff said.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

77. Did a good job of teaching the boy never to trust or respect authority

Scaring a kid like that, treating him with no justice or fairness, and humiliating him in public would have quite a psychological impact. Hopefully the boy will be able to take this experience and do something positive with it.

[immoderate]

138. I'm appalled by the cop's behavior, but I agree with you.

In my experience, truly professional peace officers will nice you to death unless there is some threat of violence.

I'm not even sure this cop should be fired. If he has a decent record of service he should be reprimanded, punished and sent to sensitivity training. After all, don't we believe in rehabilitation? If he has a record of this ass-holiness, then cut him.

Somebody should teach him not to take this personally. A good cop would have mentored, not menaced that kid.

--IMM

[JerseygirlCT]

96. One disagreement with this

cops should be held to HIGHER standards.

[RoyGBiv]

220. I actually almost wrote that ...

... then decided to moderate myself a bit.

[JerseygirlCT]

91. I have to think the "warning" combined with a ready means of

carrying out the warned of consequence, add up to threat. Just MO.

[uppityperson]

40. Obviously his superiors thought differently.

I didn't know you were there when this happened, since you seem to know so much more than anyone else.

[NJmaverick]

175. The kids deliberately baited the cops so they could film

them yelling at them. The city should sue the kids and their parents for wasting tax payers money and police man power.

[RaleighNCDUer]

255. A professional does NOT get baited.

A professional does not scream at kids. A professional does not take their property. A professional is not afraid of being recorded doing his job.

A professional would calmly and quitely request to the kids to cease and desist their illegal recreational activity, and if they do not, he writes them a citation for trespass. All without losing his temper.

Have you never seen any REAL cops on the job?

[BlackVelvet04]

257. I tend to think that lots of kids today are spoiled brats.....

BUT if a cop can't control himself over comments from a kid he has no business being a cop....and definitely no business carrying a gun.

The cop allowed himself to get into a pissing match with a kid and then pulled rank and bullied the kid. That's childish and unprofessional.

[Greyhound]

20. Absolutely, assault and failure to follow just about every law enforcement protocol there is.

I'll bet a suit arises out of this.

[El Pinko]

22. When did the assault occur?

I saw no assault in the video.

Failure to follow law enforcement protocol is grounds for a reprimand, not a lawsuit.

And he never hit the boy.


Just because someone is clearly an asshole doesn't mean there's grounds for a suit. If it was, half of DU, myself included, would probably have been dragged to court on more than a few occasions!

[tabasco]

23. That individual is mentally imbalanced.

I suppose we should allow mentally imbalanced assholes to "serve and protect" us.

[El Pinko]

27. If the police department's rules have a mechanism for firing him, I hope they do.

He clearly has a problem when placed in a position of authority.

[tabasco]

39. I imagine they have a mechanism for firing crazy motherfuckers.

I sure hope so.

[RoyGBiv]

28. Assault ...

The legal definition of assault:

"A crime that occurs when one person tries to physically harm another in a way that makes the person under attack feel immediately threatened. Actual physical contact is not necessary; threatening gestures that would alarm any reasonable person can constitute an assault."

[El Pinko]

31. That's not what I found.

as·sault Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun

2. Law. an unlawful physical attack upon another; an attempt or offer to do violence to another, with or without battery, as by holding a stone or club in a threatening manner.


EDIT: Upon re-watching the video, he clearly did more than put his hannd on the boy's shoulder. I don't know whethere it's assault or not and won't push the issue.

[RoyGBiv]

33. Maybe you should consult a legal dictionary...

Your definition is "aggravated assault."

[caraher]

44. I served on a jury where the charges were assault and battery

It was a silly case, really - a guy gets mad at the manager at a pizza place, drives over in his bathrobe and from here the stories diverge. The prosecution alleged that the guy tossed the pizza at the manager, then grabbed the manager's collar and drew back his fist as if he were about to throw a punch.

In our instructions, the judge made it clear that under the law, if we found that the pizza was indeed thrown at the manager it would constitute assault and, if it hit him, battery. (This was independent of the more serious part of the charges; had we determined that the defendant neither grabbed the manager nor made a gesture threatening to punch him, we could still convict on the basis of what the defendant did with the pizza!)

The point is, legally, many seemingly minor things can be instances of assault and/or battery.

[uppityperson]

41. Well, aren't you special. Psst, dictionary.com is not a legal dictionary.

Look it up in legalize in the state you live in.

[tabasco]

43. Common law asaault requires no physical contact whatsoever.

Maybe you are thinking of battery?

[rasputin1952]

47. There are numerous statutes that cover "color of authority" abuse

This kid stated he wanted to call his mother, the cop should have allowed that, and then ask the kid to have her come down. The kid is 14 years old, the cop is, (apparently), a grown man. What did the youth do to bring about a physical attack. The cop lost his head, he lost his head to a minor, and for that, he should be taken to task.

Was the kid advised he was committing a "crime"? The cop should have set the standard far higher than he did...he did what he did because he is a bully, and believes that his badge makes him above others. Precisely what a cop should not do.

FWIW...the outfit he was wearing did not exactly portray authority, and the little vehicle he had didn't exactly throw out the message that he is a figure that should expect a whole lot of respect.
All things considered, I figure this is an obnoxious individual, most likely never had to deal with kids, and really needs to find another line of work...he wasn't dealing with armed crack dealers on the corner, these were kids skateboarding, apparently not a danger to pedestrians, (I only saw two in the background), the cop went over the top.

Personally, I would sue too, but not for money, I'd just like him to be thrown off the Police Force, and a record be made of abuse to a minor.

At least he's suspended for the time being...never good for a cop.

[Usrename]

50. lol - that's pretty much the way I saw it

He should get himself a real police cruiser and uniform before he starts behaving like this. :sarcasm: He's a danger to society.

[RaleighNCDUer]

57. "...the outfit he was wearing did not exactly portray authority, and the little vehicle he had ..."

He probably started the day badly when his buddies teased him about being a meter-maid while getting into their Crown Vics.

And he accused the KID of having an attitude!

[jhrobbins]

298. Yes, we decided that this 'officer' was already ramped up by the time

he got to these boys

[Greyhound]

34. Thank you, and we can add battery to the charge.

He grabbed, and then threw to the ground, the kid with no provocation or opportunity to surrender.

[RoyGBiv]

35. Precisely ...

Funny how certain cops, who are supposedly there to uphold the law, get a free pass on this.

My best friend's father is a cop, a good cop. He testified more than once against other cops who did this sort of thing. *He* knows the definition of assault *and* is fully aware that cops, on duty, can be guilty of it.

[High Plains]

48. If I did to a cop what that cop did to that kid, you could write me in prison.

And you know it.

[Ediacara]

64. He put him in a choke hold and threw him to the ground twice

And in fact, right at 0:52 hits him on the chest.

[dansolo]

107. Assault is the threat, battery is the actual violence

The cop is probably guilty of assault, but you might be able to argue that he was not guilty of battery. But he did clearly assault the kid.

[RaleighNCDUer]

256. Then somebody needs to make you aware that if you EVER

confront a policeman and so much as touch him with your index finger to drive home a point, you WILL be arrested for assault.

If you've ever watched 'Cops' you've seen that in any confrontation, the cops RESPOND (unless it is like an active pursuit). If there is a disagreement, professional cop will tell the person exactly what he is going to do before his lays hands on him - "I'm going to put these cuff on you", "I'm going to reach into your pocket", etc. If the person make any move to resist, THEN they take them down. They do NOT just grab them unless they actively resist.

The flip side is also true - if the officer gets physically violent without warning, that officer has committed assault. Grabbing the kid and wresting the board away from him was assault, unless the kid was using it as a weapon. According to the video, he was using it as a shield, holding it between him and the cop. He was scared, and with good reason. And the cop took it away from him to INCREASE his vulnerability, to make him more scared.

The professional always controls any escalation of physical force. This asshat was controlling nothing, especially not himself.

This was definitely an assault.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

76. IS it ok to throw a kid around like that- by the neck yet - for calling him "dude"?

sheesh I hope that is enough to sue the PIG.

(Yay Bubbles LOL:)

[NJmaverick]

182. They admit they break the law and piss off cops for fun

The kids got what they deserved.

[JerseygirlCT]

90. Assault? nt

[NJmaverick]

169. The kids admit they broke the law and pissed off the cops

because they thought it was funny when they yelled at them. It was so much fun they regularly filmed their encounters. The city should sue MOM!

[jhrobbins]

295. Good - I was shaking at the end of this clip

[Mojambo]

3. LOL. It cuts off just as he's about to say, "I'd better not find myself on... Youtube"

Fucking douchebag.

[RaleighNCDUer]

4. Well, obviously it survived to make it onto YouTube.

And I'll give you odd it will wind up in court, too. That asshole was SO willing to talk to his mother - BEFORE he knew he was recorded.

I SO hope he lost his job.

[parasim]

9. Yeah, the guy's last words on it were "If I find this on..."

Well, DUDE, there it is. 300,000+ views, 6000+ comments.

[Zookeeper]

94. The kid was snotty, but the cop was a bully...

Once the cop started acting out, there really was nothing the kids could have said or done that would have been acceptable to the cop. Touching the kid was waaaaaay out of line.

Officer Riveri needs to be in another line of work, preferably away from anyone smaller or weaker than he is.

[my2sense]

5. I'd be pissed too

if I had to wear that jacked up uniform......but I digress.

He should be FIRED not suspended.

[Stinky The Clown]

6. All in due course

The mayor was pretty pissed about this and so was the brand spanking new police commish.

[jhrobbins]

300. Well, according to some on this post, he should have been commended

[lisainmilo]

18. I agree!

He should be fired, bullying what looks like a kid maybe 12 or 13 years old. OP is right, be prepared to be pissed off!
Cop says "My department", he really believes he is someone to look up too, but he is NOTHING MORE THAN A BULLY WITH A GUN, and should be removed from the police department!

[lisainmilo]

26. I was wrong, the kid is fourteen, still

this man does not belong in the police department.

[0007]

218. The day will come when they give him a gun.

[0007]

253. The day will come when they give him a gun.

[HughBeaumont]

7. More examples of "Protection and Service"!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFUpa0OwlyU&feature=related

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/12/florida-police-dump-quadr_n_86290.html

Seriously, did Dumberica get A Clockwork Orange's police or something? Are these all former thugs just lookin' to kick some ass?

Police: The Legal Gang.

[Quantess]

10. I wonder who filmed it?

The video cameras are supposed to make people behave a little bit.

[sce56]

12. Cellphone camera!

Isn't technology like this great!

[uppityperson]

42. Kid who filmed it was mighty lucky cop didn't know it.

I bet his phone would've been crushed if he'd known. At the least.

[Quantess]

49. I think so too! (eom)

[eowyn_of_rohan]

78. Did you hear PIG at the end? He saw the camera

He said something like, 'Is that a camera? If I see myself on-" click

[Iris]

11. jeez - overreact much?

What an idiot that cop is. Is this shit for real?'

Isn't Baltimore actually a high crime city? Couldn't this cop be doing something better with his time?

[Stinky The Clown]

53. Baltimore is a big, northeastern city with typical crime ..... but the part of town where this .....

..... happened isn't all that high crime. It was at the Inner Harbor. Relatively safe and well patrolled.

[Iris]

55. oh, yes! I've been there.

That cop was a complete jerk

[JerseygirlCT]

227. Exactly

This isn't about law and order. This is about a seriously troubled adult, with a firearm on his hip, who needs help dealing with anger management problems. And a new job.

[NMMNG]

14. Aye caramba!

What a bully.

[Iwasthere]

15. The field attracts em BIGTIME! I have seen so many

Perfect job for a bully... so is the job of president of the USA it seems. Remember the pics of * in school?

[stevedeshazer]

16. That outfit Mr. Authority has on is sure flattering

Bumblebee with a huge boiler.

[caraher]

17. At least they didn't call that dude "bro"

Then he probably would have whipped out a taser!

[RedCappedBandit]

37. Not a dude..

pig is more suitable.

[readmoreoften]

51. Yellow Bumblebee Outfit Turns Baltimore Cop into Rabid Moonbat

News at 11

[Stinky The Clown]

52. That's what our bicycle cops wear

If you look at the video, he got out of some little scooter thing.

Most are not quite as rotund (or angry) as the asshat cop in the video.

[Coexist]

63. wouldn't it make you self conscious, too/

[guitar man]

215. lol at bumble bee costume

I posted this way down the thread too, I'm positive this is what happened to him as a child that damaged him so much...:D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmVn6b7DdpA

[NJmaverick]

54. The police officer over reacted

However punk kids with no respect for authority are a problem. Parents that raise (or don't bother to raise) kids that behave is the bigger problem.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

56. So you're saying this guy deserved respect?

Why?

[NJmaverick]

60. Notice the video makes it tough to hear what they say

They were ignoring the law that forbid skate bordering there. The cop is sent to clear them out, and all they do is back talk to the officer trying to do his job. I don't buy into the carefully editted tape.

[RaleighNCDUer]

68. And what tape were you watching?

That was NOT a carefully edited tape - that was an unedited capture on a cell phone and it showed the cop being out of control right from the git go. And when the kid mumbled some defensive smart-ass reply under his breath - so quiet that the phone couldn't even pick it up - just as young teens are prone to do the cop, the AUTHORITY, lost all control and assaulted him.

It is indefensible. And the COP knew it, or he would not have been worried about being caught on video.

[NJmaverick]

85. riiiighhhtttt

It was the raw unedited footage. I have a bridge I think you might be interested it.

[RaleighNCDUer]

58. Don't lay it on the kids. I've disrespected authority for better than

50 years.

If you want respect, offer respect.

[NJmaverick]

61. Kids ignored the rules and the cop

They WANT respect, perhaps they need to offer some.

[Coexist]

65. and the police officer ignored protocol?

maybe I expect more from law enforcement than I do from teenagers.

[NJmaverick]

66. I expect more from parents

I expect them to raise their kids with a respect for the law and those that enforce it.

[RaleighNCDUer]

71. When kids are treated like this

what's to respect?

You can EXPECT a 14 year old to be a dick. He's 14.

You should expect a cop to act better than a 14 year old.

[NJmaverick]

84. The kids got treated that way because of their bad attitudes

Let's not try and put the cart before the horse.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

73. I expect more from parents and other grown-ups, too...

The parents of this officer managed to raise a complete dickhead. And the grown-ups running the City of Baltimore has given this dickhead a firearm.

This is a portrait of a cop with severe anger management issues. If not retired on psychological disability, he at least shouldn't be allowed anywhere near the public.

[NJmaverick]

83. More like someone sick and tired

of having to deal with kids that parents never bothered to teach any values to.

[uppityperson]

88. Do you have kids?

[NJmaverick]

102. Ah the classic excuse that bad parents try to use

I am not going to tell you, because that's not part of the arguement. You want to make excuses for bad and neglectful parents, you will have to try a different approach.

[uppityperson]

103. Experience is not part of this argument? That tells me something about you.

[NJmaverick]

112. You ever a cop? If not you don't have the experience to

comment.

[uppityperson]

118. WTF?

Do you have kids?

Ah the classic excuse that bad parents try to use.I am not going to tell you, because that's not part of the arguement. You want to make excuses for bad and neglectful parents, you will have to try a different approach.

Experience (parenting) is not part of this argument? That tells me something about you.

You ever a cop? If not you don't have the experience to comment. (on if parenting experience is part of understanding parenting?)

All you want to do is argue. Bye.

[NJmaverick]

134. Don't llike it when someone does to you

what they do to them. Why am I not surprised? If you have never had the expierence of trying to control badly raised kids that have no respect for the law or law enforcement officers you have no business posting any comments here. At least according to your "logic".

[uppityperson]

143. Another wtf?

another bye

[jhrobbins]

301. THese 14 year olds are your examples of 'badly raised kids'?

If you do have kids, I would hate to have been one, Daddy Dearest

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

122. Not a cop...

But I pay a cop's salary. So I sure as hell am allowed to comment.

[NJmaverick]

131. If you want to limit comments to parents

Then it's only fair to limit it to cops.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

142. I never said that...

.

[NJmaverick]

145. Ah- huh

What did you mean then?

[uppityperson]

153. That was me. You are getting us mixed up.

:eyes:

[NJmaverick]

114. Are you a cop?

Seems to be just as good a question.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

93. Then he should not be in uniform...

If he can no longer discharge his duties without roughing up members of the public in the process, he should be on disability.

[NJmaverick]

101. How about the partents stop letting the world raise their kids

Maybe take some of their "me" time and raise them themselves.

[uppityperson]

105. Ah, now the cop's bad partents are responsible for a cop who...

"can no longer discharge his duties without roughing up members of the public in the process, he should be on disability."

See, it is the cop's parents fault! woohoo!

[NJmaverick]

113. Where did you come up with that dumb idea

The cop was doing what these kid's parents should have been doing.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

109. What's your problem here?

Did the kid pull a gun? Did he use foul language? Did he give the cop the finger?

For fuck's sake, did you even watch the video? This guy was out of control with anger and the kid was doing nothing N O T H I N G to deserve it. You think it's any wonder that police and the public are at odds with each other so often? This dipshit is the reason.

The overwhelming majority of cops (in Baltimore and elsewhere) are decent public servants who treat people with respect. Then this asshole comes along and undoes all their hard work.

[NJmaverick]

111. Did the kids give the cop the finger?

We really can't see that, can we? Then again facts don't seem important to you, considering your post.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

115. According to the video and to the eyewitnesses...

The kid did nothing to provoke this outburst other than to not respond immediately to the officer's instructions. And the kid had an ipod (or other such device) and was wearing earbuds, which would explain why he didn't respond immediately. Rather than talk to the kid, this officer went totally ballistic.

My experience is that people who going around screaming their demands for "respect" are typically the ones least worthy of it. I know a lot of cops, and nearly all of them would have handled this situation differently. This cop was escalating the conflict, which is exactly what the academies teach you to avoid.

[NJmaverick]

117. Eyewitnesses = more punk kids

Yeah the cop must be the guilty one!

[uppityperson]

120. Yup, another poster deserving of a certain level of respect. eom

[NJmaverick]

123. Yeah, not that you care about the FACTS of this issue

However these kids admit to pissing off the cops so they could film it. It was their idea of fun. So much for your respect.

[uppityperson]

132. Yeah, not that you care about LOGIC

No, the kids admit to taping cops yelling at them.
All cats are animals. All animals aren't cats.

[NJmaverick]

146. Nice try

The kids admit to regularly breaking the law, pissing off the cops and filming it because they think that breaking the law and pissing off the cops is "funny". Yeah well raised kids!

[uppityperson]

150. Where do they admit that?

"Santo said he sometimes uses a camcorder to tape his friends' conflicts with police because they find humor in getting yelled at by officers."

You seem to assume a lot and jump to a lot of conclusions.

[NJmaverick]

167. That's his admission

not that you are as willing to admit your own mistake.

[uppityperson]

170. Here is a bunny to keep you company..

While you jump to conclusions.
"Santo said he sometimes uses a camcorder to tape his friends' conflicts with police because they find humor in getting yelled at by officers."

[NJmaverick]

179. You don't lose well

and you are not capable of admitting when you are wrong. Sad, really. The lame jokes and taunts are not having their desired affect though. Unless you wanted me to think you are a horse's back side.

[0007]

214. Paging Agent Mike......Paging Agent Mike

Please bring your taser and your heavy duty club. Please leave your camera home in a safe place.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

129. Punk Kids = Citizens

The ones the police are paid to protect and serve. I hope this cop's lawyer is smarter than you are, otherwise he might end up doing time for assault.

[NJmaverick]

139. Punks= equal kids who deliberately piss off cops

so they can film them for laughs.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

148. You made that up...

They never said they deliberately piss off cops. And even if they do, that doesn't warrant a cop roughing up a kid over a misdemeanor offense.

[NJmaverick]

151. Nope- that's what it said in the article

the admission came from one of the kids.

[uppityperson]

155. This admission?

"Santo said he sometimes uses a camcorder to tape his friends' conflicts with police because they find humor in getting yelled at by officers."

[NJmaverick]

125. The kids admit they pissed off cops so they could tape it

It's in the article, they thought it was lots of fun.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

137. That's not what the kid said...

"Santo said he sometimes uses a camcorder to tape his friends' conflicts with police because they find humor in getting yelled at by officers."

They didn't bait the cop into reacting, they just filmed what happened.

[NJmaverick]

144. Nice try, but WRONG

What you fail to appreciate is WHAT the kid said. He admits they have regular run in with the law. They admit they piss off the cops and get yelled at and they admit they film it because they think it's funny to piss off the cops and get yelled at. Nice try, how about just admitting you were wrong?

[uppityperson]

147. Wow. You don't believe what the article says, so you make it up.

[NJmaverick]

154. Nope- that's what you are doing, making stuff up

rather than admit you were wrong. The kids admit to breaking the law and baiting the cops, so they can film it. Not that you are willing to listen to the facts, since they prove you wrong.

[uppityperson]

156. You must be getting tired

"Santo said he sometimes uses a camcorder to tape his friends' conflicts with police because they find humor in getting yelled at by officers."

Jumping to conclusions.

[BlackVelvet04]

260. No where does the kid say they bait the cop or

deliberately piss the cops off. It says they film getting yelled at.

You have a reading comprehension problem or you just like to make shit up.

[NJmaverick]

269. Maybe the problem is I don't share you bigotry against cops

So when I hear a kid talk about how he and his friends are constantly breaking the law and getting yelled at by the cops, and they film it for "laughs", I take what they said at face value. I don't PRETEND the chronic law breakers, that treat cops as some paid to amuze them are sweet and innocent. Maybe it's because I live in the real world.

[BlackVelvet04]

270. Maybe it's because you make shit up to match your own anger. n/t

[NJmaverick]

274. If you say so, how do you like it in fantasy land?

I bet it's really nice for you

[BlackVelvet04]

275. LOL At least I can read and comprehend which is more than

you can say.

[NJmaverick]

282. I think you might be giving yourself a wee bit too much credit

Just my opinion.

[jhrobbins]

302. EXACTLY! I think somebody's computer directed them to the wrong site

you may be more comfortable on freepers.com

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

161. Ummm...Because I'm not wrong.

I'm sure these kids are used to getting chased off by the cops -- anybody who skateboards regularly knows that much. But in this particular incident, the kid did nothing to escalate the situation. Watch the video, the kid is backing up the whole time and trying to avoid eye contact. His voice is barely audible. It's the cop who screaming and initiating physical contact.

[NJmaverick]

246. I agree, the kids were WRONG

They did more than just get run off. They baited officers so that they would yell at them, and they would tape if for fun and laughs. The kids treated the cops as their personal play things and they got a badly needed ass kicking.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

249. Facts not in evidence...

Nowhere, on the video, in the newspaper article, or anywhere else, does anybody (OTHER THAN YOU) make the claim that these kids were baiting this officer into a confrontation. You are making this up out of thin air.

AND EVEN IF THEY WERE -- If the officer can't take being goaded by a fourteen-year-old, he has no business on the job. If he goes ballistic with this level of provocation, how's he going to act in a real crisis situation? I can tell you this -- I wouldn't want this guy as my partner.

[NJmaverick]

251. There is a confession on record by the kid

He admits he and his friends pissed of the cops to tape their reactions. Personally I don't think police officers should be turned into play things for poorly raised punks.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

264. For the umpteenth time...

The kid did NOT SAY THIS. The kids said that he and his buddies are often yelled at by cops for their skateboarding and they they tape the incidents. At no time did the kid say that they intentionally goad cops in an attempt to escalate the situation.

AND LET ME SAY AGAIN -- that if this officer can't cope with the psychological tactics of a fourteen-year-old skateboarder, I shudder to think how he will respond in a critical situation.

[NJmaverick]

265. riiiighhhtttt

I have a bridge I think you might like to buy.


a) Why are the cops yelling at them?

b) Why is it happening often?

c) Why are the encounters getting to the point that they bring a video camera?

You are trying to offer a similar excuse for these street punks, that a shop lifter caught in the parking lot of a store might offer.


"oh I forgot to pay"

"er ah I was going to my car to get my wallet"


Sorry but I live in the real world, not fantasy land. When kids start filming cops they pissed off "for laughs" they are GUILTY of baiting the kids

I think it's sick that you think the police are paid to be human play toys for these out of control monsters.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

271. Step One...

1) Create Facts
2) Convict

You're a flaming asshole, you know that? And there's little wonder that everybody else on this thread moved on -- as I am now. For future reference, there's more to a debate that creating a series of unsubstantiated allegations and then insisting that they are true even after you have been proven (several times) to be wrong.

You live in the real world? Heh!

Welcome to my Ignore List.

[uppityperson]

273. It is pretty incredible, isn't it?

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

287. Incredible?

More like pathological!

[uppityperson]

289. Yes, showing there is a wider problem than 1 out of control "professional"

Makes me sad, and shaking my head in amazement. I think my ignore list will number 1 soon.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

291. I don't use mine often...

I think there are three (now four) people on it. All of them were people with whom you simply couldn't have a reasonable discussion.

I grew up around cops and have a lot of cop friends. It takes a very special person to do that job, and from what I saw on that video, this guy just doesn't have it. Now I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt -- maybe he was having an astoundinly shitty day. Late on the mortgage, spouse leaving him, whatever. If that's the case, get the guy some counseling and some TRAINING and give him a second chance.

But if he's got a history of this kind of behavior, he really needs to get off the street. It's only a matter of time before that rage ends up hurting somebody (maybe himself) -- then he's off the force and the city is paying a multi-million dollar damage settlement.

[uppityperson]

292. Indeed. Police need to be able to manage themselves in a professional manner.

Wow, makes this a lot shorter of a thread.

When they can't, or don't, they need to be held to it, taking responsibility for their actions. AND police like this make the job of their fellow police officers a WHOLE LOT more difficult. Much more difficult.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

293. Here in Milwaukee...

and in other urban areas, a lack of public support is a massive issue. Somebody gets shot, but nobody saw anything -- because they'd rather trust the gangsters than trust the police. It takes a long-term, concerted effort by the authorities to build that kind of trust in the community.

And it takes one guy like that to undo it all. It's no wonder the Mayor of Baltimore was so dismayed by seeing that video -- even if there isn't a lawsuit, thousands of hours of community involvement work just went up in smoke.

[NJmaverick]

283. LOL

I bet your ignore list is pretty substancial, because it's filled with all the people that are smarter than you.

[jhrobbins]

303. SubstanCial - when making a point, try not to be the 'unsmart' guy

[fascisthunter]

296. That Was the Most Ridiculous argument I Think I Have Seen in Years

you did well

[NJmaverick]

266. riiiighhhtttt

I have a bridge I think you might like to buy.


a) Why are the cops yelling at them?

b) Why is it happening often?

c) Why are the encounters getting to the point that they bring a video camera?

You are trying to offer a similar excuse for these street punks, that a shop lifter caught in the parking lot of a store might offer.


"oh I forgot to pay"

"er ah I was going to my car to get my wallet"


Sorry but I live in the real world, not fantasy land. When kids start filming cops they pissed off "for laughs" they are GUILTY of baiting the kids

I think it's sick that you think the police are paid to be human play toys for these out of control monsters.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

74. Now it's the parents' fault?

You're really grasping at straws.

[NJmaverick]

81. Imagine expecting the parents to teach their kids

respect for the law and those that enforce it. What an unheard of concept!

[NJmaverick]

82. Imagine expecting the parents to teach their kids

to respect the law and those that enforcement. How unreasonable!! After all it's society's job to raise their kids!

[uppityperson]

92. Do you have kids? Do you seriously believe

that any fault in a child lays only on the parents not teaching the kid right? Do you seriously believe society has no input or responsibility in raising children?

[NJmaverick]

100. Not all faults lie with the parents

However, when you see a bunch of kids with no respect for the law or the ones trying to enforce it, it's safe say the parents failed to impart some very important lessons.

[uppityperson]

104. Ah the classic excuse that non-parents try to use

Not knowing that each individual has their own personality and that parents can teach, but it is up to the child to learn. You do know that there are bad kids who come from families where everything was taught right, and kids from totally nasty situations that turned out great, don't you?

Sort of like school. A teacher can teach, but the student has to choose to learn.

[NJmaverick]

110. Who said I wasn't a parent

Although never taking responsibility is a classic excuse of all most ALL BAD PARENTS.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

171. Heh

Imagine parents teaching their kids not to grasp at straws when they lose arguments.

[NJmaverick]

247. I agree

I have seen people use the hyperbole that the kids were had the shit beaten out of them

I have seen people deny that the kids baited the police regularly, despite the kids confession

I have seen people say no one other than parent should judge the kids or their parents, but it's OK for non-cops to judge the police


The list goes on and on. I wonder how much is the result of hatred and biogtry towards law enforcement.

[NOLALady]

67. Agreed.

I also expect more from adults than teenagers.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

72. The cop ignored the rules too.

He forgot that he's there to serve and protect the kids.

[NJmaverick]

86. He is there to serve and protect the PUBLIC

to protect them from the risk of the law breaking kids. What do you tell the old lady who breaks her hip, when one of those punks rides into her????

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

119. I missed that part of the video...

If the kid had run down a little old lady, there would have been some justification for his behavior. That that's not the case, is it? And the whole point that the officer's behavior is not justified stems from the fact that we're talking about a misdemeanor offense that turned into an officer screaming and wrestling a kid to the ground.

Under the circumstances, his behavior is inappropriate and unjustified. Get the point?

[uppityperson]

124. That's the part that got edited out by those kids.

See? And they photoshopped the screaming of the Police Officer in there also.

[NJmaverick]

157. There is a reason skate bording is banned

and that's it. It's dangerous to other shoppers. Still the kids broke the law and baited cops for "laughs", so this is not unexpected.

[uppityperson]

160. says the master

catch ya later dude! (teen talk for goodbye)

[NJmaverick]

163. I see you are a poor loser

I am a bit surprised, since I suspect it happens to you quite often.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

168. The point again...

is that nobody else was around then this happened (I would invite you to watch the video) and if there had been an incident where a pedestrian had been injured, the officer's reaction might have been justified. That not being the case, screaming and physical assault were not called for.

[NJmaverick]

248. Yeah the cops should just smile and take it

After all these out of control little monsters need play things, and the police are a good choice. Get real

[JerseygirlCT]

99. And the police officer should have been trained

to deal with "disrespect". The kids are perfectly free, actually, to call him dude should they want. So long as they're not threatening him with the language, his badge doesn't mean they have to kowtow.

Rudeness, upset people, kids acting like dopes... all this should be par for the course in the day of a cop, and nothing to get his or her dander up like that. If it does, they are in the wrong line of work.

[RaleighNCDUer]

108. If I'd been there I'd have likely butted in:

"Hey, DUDE, back off. He's just a kid! And he's doing nothing wrong."

Like to see him pull that shit on me.

[HuffleClaw]

59. UPDATE from B-Sun (another kid was treated similarly by the same cop)

"...the officer drove up in a motorized cart and began yelling at them as they sat under a pavilion with their bikes. The officer told the teenagers to run, and as Tarburton was packing up his belongings, he said, the officer pointed a Taser in his face..."

http://wapurl.co.uk/?AK7JRQT

- what a big surprise. NOT.

[HughBeaumont]

69. Yeah, but according to some, the kids are the ones at fault.

It's unconscionable to defend a badge-abusing dickhead on a progressive board. That son of a bitch should be FIRED, not suspended with pay.

[HuffleClaw]

87. the comments that accompany that news story are horrific

maybe one in three is appalled by the cop in question, the rest are fully supportive of his behavior.

[NJmaverick]

185. I agree the one where the kids admit to breaking the law

and pissing off cops so they could film them yelling at them, for laughs. Those kids needed an ass kicking.

[NJmaverick]

116. Hey if another deliquent has stepped forward

he must be guilty!

[HuffleClaw]

237. hang' em high !

or at least administer a savage beating with a damp beanie baby tied to a string

[uppityperson]

79. Thank you for this update. A bit more from the article...

Tarburton said the officer drove up in a motorized cart and began yelling at them as they sat under a pavilion with their bikes. The officer told the teenagers to run, and as Tarburton was packing up his belongings, he said, the officer pointed a Taser in his face.

"He was like a mad man. I don't even know what was wrong with the guy," Tarburton said.

He said that before he could run away, the officer kicked him in the leg, and his leg crunched against his bike rim, breaking a portion of the wheel.

When he saw the video, Tarburton said he believed he recognized Rivieri as the officer who kicked him. He said he filed a complaint with the department's Internal Investigations Division on Monday and has yet to hear back about it. A law enforcement official with knowledge of the investigation into Rivieri's actions said the department was looking into Tarburton's complaint.

[Ediacara]

62. "You got that camera on? If I find myself on...."

"My name is Officer Rivieri!"

That cop knew he was in deep shit the second he saw the camera.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

70. What an idiot...

The last bit was priceless.

To All Police Officers -- "Little Brother" is watching you. Behave yourselves or else!

[uppityperson]

80. That bit seemed like a threat. I'd be worried if it were me. Hope cop gets mental health help.

If this guy gets fired, or even since he's been suspended, I'd be worried. I hope this guy gets the help he needs, not just suspension.

[RaleighNCDUer]

95. Yep. People with anger issues who own guns is a bad combination. nt

[uppityperson]

98. Even if he's kicked out, has no gun access, still I'd be worried.

I wonder if the police would be considered liable if they just let him go and he continues on with anger issues and hurts someone later?

[RaleighNCDUer]

106. He's a cop. He almost certainly owns a personal firearm.

He may have to turn in his issued weapon, but that won't disarm him.

He's already shown a propensity for irrational anger at kids - and if he IS fired, where is going to run that increased anger?

I wonder the same thing.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

75. Of course, on second thought...

he might have just been the world's worst drag queen.

[JerseygirlCT]

89. Unbelievable

And this man carries a firearm...

He needs to be fired. That sort of out of control behavior (and toward a KID!) is just unacceptable.

[LoZoccolo]

97. It was the cop who disrespected the badge by putting it on...

...when he knew he can't handle being a police officer.

[NJmaverick]

121. THE FACTS- Not that many of you care

This part of the article is the most important one, yet no one has mentioned it. I wonder why?

Santo said he sometimes uses a camcorder to tape his friends' conflicts with police because they find humor in getting yelled at by officers.

the street punks got off pissing off the cops. Yeah it's all the cops fault, not the punk kids or their negligent parents! What a joke!

[uppityperson]

126. Yup, none of us care that the cops show a pattern of yelling at kids.

It is all the kid's fault. What a joke!

[NJmaverick]

127. Well when the poorly raise kids ignore the cops

you got a better option? Beg maybe? plead? Get real and get back to the real world.

[JerseygirlCT]

133. Ticket them.

Call their parents.

Take them to the station even to scare them straight.

But violence? In response to being called "dude"?

Never acceptable.

[NJmaverick]

136. Most of the time the parents can't be reached

Still nothing like taking the cop off the street, because some punk kids won't listen. I am all in favor of fining the parents for all police costs, but parents don't like to take responsibility for the kids they let run wild.

[uppityperson]

140. You do seem to have issues with parents and kids. Why is that?

Seriously, what is your issue? Are you a parent, or interact with kids, or what?

Be careful dude, you're going to blow a gasket and we certainly don't want that here.

[NJmaverick]

149. I have an issue with kids that break the law and piss off cops

because they think it's funny. I have a problem with parents that raise those sort of kids and don't control them. Not sure what your problem is.

[uppityperson]

158. Once again you don't answer a question.

Hoping to never run into you, I bid you adieu (that is french for goodbye, probably go with god sort of thing)

[NJmaverick]

162. No question, I state the fact

That's not what you want. You want to go after the victim instead. You want kids to run wild. Honestly if these kids knock someone over and cause an injury, I hope it's to you as you will more than willing to let it happen.

[uppityperson]

164. Hey dude, tata.

[JerseygirlCT]

152. As if he's doing something important here

Keeping the Inner Harbor safe from 14 yo kids with attitudes. And skateboards.

They're a nuisance, nothing more. Tell them to move along and take their boards elsewhere. Smile and ignore the "dudes". If they're a consistent problem, then when he gets back to the station, he can make a few phone calls. Or send the ticket home.

There really is no excuse here for his behavior. HE'S the one who needs to be taken off the streets. He's a public danger.

[NJmaverick]

166. Tell that to the old lady with the broken hip

or the young child with the concussion from being knocked over by one of those "nuisances". What a joke!

[uppityperson]

135. Ticket them.

[NJmaverick]

184. and when they don't have ID and give fake names

Then what? Those kids needed an ass kicking, the ones their parents should have given.

[uppityperson]

195. Well, you can find their names on the Youtube video bit and news articles, go get them.

Since their parents are obviously bad parents who don't care that their kids run amok, and the cop wasn't able to teach them respect, why don't you just go get them yourself. I bet Society as a Whole would really deeply appreciate the fact that You are the Only One who Cares enough to Kick Their Asses.

Beyond Chuck Norris of course who would only need to think about them to straighten them out.

[NJmaverick]

204. If the parents had kicked their kid's asses

instead of going after the cop, their kids wouldn't be monsters. The kids baited a cop and got what they deserved. Police are not taxpayer funded play things for punk ass kids.

[Name removed]

225. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

232. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[jhrobbins]

305. Seriously, if you are a parent, Child Protective Services should look

into your parenting skills if kicking kids asses is your solution. FYI - it is child abuse to 'kick a kids ass!!!'

[JerseygirlCT]

226. You take their boards, and tell them they and their parents

can come pick them up at the station.

These aren't dangerous criminals with bombs we're talking about. These are stupid 14 yos acting like stupid 14 yos.

[uppityperson]

228. I'm getting the feeling that poster just isn't work the aggravation.

You know? Seems to have issues.

[JerseygirlCT]

234. Yeah, you're right

Let's hope not someone working with kids, huh?

[Chovexani]

278. Wow, you missed your calling

We need someone tough like you to beat those scary 14 year olds into submission.

[JerseygirlCT]

130. Doesn't matter wrt the cop's behavior

It really doesn't. The police officer should not escalate a non-violent situation into one of violence. He should not be so thin-skinned that a punky kid calling him "dude" is enough to anger him and push him to physical retaliation.

Are the kids being brats? Sure thing. Would they get a talking to were they my kids? You betcha. Should the cop have called their mommies on them - go for it - for real.

But does *any* of that make his behavior correct, or even understandable? Not in the least.

You put that badge on, you'd better learn how to control your temper -- and your ego.

[guitar man]

141. exactly

No matter what the kids were up to, his behavior was totally unprofessional and inappropriate. You just don't go after a small 14 year old boy with that kind of demeanor and violence. If my kid is out ther intentionally pissing off cops, I'm probably going to get all up in their face, but the cop should know better. All he needs to do is A. Tell the kids to skate where it's legal or B. Write them a citation or both. This shit is uncalled for. plain and simple

[uppityperson]

174. Yup. eom

[NJmaverick]

188. Police have limited powers to correct the situation

when bad parents don't give a crap. I am sure they did all the things you sugggested, but it was simply a waste of taxpayer's money and police man power.

[NJmaverick]

177. Since the parents let the kids run wild

Someone had to enforce some law and order.

[knitter4democracy]

176. I've taught 14 year olds. Those kids weren't that bad.

They weren't super helpful and respectful, but they weren't yelling at the guy, they weren't in his personal space, and they actually weren't anywhere near as bad as I've had kids get with me. The cop escalated the situation from the first minute of the encounter. If he'd changed his tone, kept repeating his demands in a calm voice (almost robot-like), and if he'd stayed out of the kids' physical space, the situation would've been nothing. The kids would've moved on, realizing they weren't going to get a rise out of him. That cop was itching for a fight, and that wasn't the kids' fault.

I found the tape very unsettling. That guy lost it. I've seen fellow teachers lose it, and it's very scary in person.

[NJmaverick]

181. They admit they break the law and piss off cops for fun

In my book they got what they deserved

[knitter4democracy]

196. Kids do that all the time.

Heck, my dad did that in the 50s when he was a greaser and raced cars. No difference.

The no skateboarding thing is a local ordinance all about keeping everything looking nice. Do they have a free skatepark for the kids there? Nearby? Most cities have found that it really cuts down on the skaters going all around the city, especially if the skate park's really fun.

My stepbrother's a cop. He always says that, going into any situation, it's his job to calm things down and get people talking. This guy amped things up, the opposite of his job. He should know from personal experience that teens have trouble respecting authority, so it's his job to calm things down and get the kids talking and finally moving on.

If you get in a teen's face, grab him by the throat, etc., that kid will act like a mule stuck in mud. If you show that you respect him, such as compliment his skateboard and give him directions to the skate park and talk about how fun it is or whatever, it changes the situation entirely.

Just because the teens were looking to have fun with the guy doesn't mean anything had to happen. I had kids try that with me every day, and I got really good at the calm repetition that drives them nuts. ;)

[NJmaverick]

205. When kids do that, they deserve the treatment they got

plain and simple Police are not payed to be the play things for punk ass kids that were poorly raised.

[knitter4democracy]

208. I have to disagree.

That's fine. We can agree to disagree. :hug:

I just can't imagine my stepbrother handling the same situation in the same way. He stays really calm through most anything. That's a cop's job. "Punk ass kids" are easier to deal with than real criminals. That cop should thank his lucky stars none of them was armed--he was the one escalating the situation.

[NJmaverick]

211. If one of the punks was dumb enough to be armed and

attacked the cop, that would have been the last stupid thing he would have done with his waste of a life. I don't think cops should be treated as play things. The video was careful not to record what led up to the comments and to make it impossible to hear most of the punk's responses. The kids admit they think it's funny to piss off the cops. Well piss of the wrong cop, and they get what they got, an old fashion ass kicking.

[knitter4democracy]

222. Whatever.

We both seriously disagree on this. I'm not okay with cops giving ass whoopings for little to no provocation, and you obviously are.

[NJmaverick]

229. We disagree to the degree of provocation

I think law breaking punks that taunt police officers get what they deserve, you don't.

[BlackVelvet04]

262. No they don't admit that....

you keep spreading that lie. That's not what they said.

[RoyGBiv]

223. You're right. I don't care ...

Here's the deal, genius.

I have a job. It's very stressful. I sometimes describe this job as 8 hours of arguing. I am disrespected by *everyone* I encounter to one degree or another. Many yell. Some spit, throw things, etc. I've been called every name you could think to call me and probably a lot you couldn't. I've been cussed out, at length, in at least nine different languages, three today.

And I'm the authority figure who could have these people who do this put in cuffs with a single word, no questions asked.

But if I ever, once came close to touching one of these individuals, much less using the words "get you killed" during these incidents, I would be fired, on the spot, no questions asked. And I could be sued. During orientation I was told the story of an employee last year who slapped a kid who had been screaming at him. He was fired. He was sued. He lost.

Being in a position of authority *requires* me to behave *better* than those over whom I have authority, else I no longer deserve to hold that authority. As a cop, or an authority figure of any variety, you have no business expecting people to treat you with anything even resembling manners. If you do expect that, you're in the wrong profession. If you demand it with shrill tirades and physical violence, you need to be permanently removed from those kinds of professions.

[BlackVelvet04]

261. You display the same kind of irrational anger the cop did....

what a good little authoritarian you are.

[uppityperson]

276. It is telling, isn't it?

I wonder what this poster does professionally, or would it be more accurate to say for a job. It shows exactly the same irrational anger as that cop did. Thank you for putting it so succinctly.

[guitar man]

128. what a piece of shit

If the kids weren't supposed to be riding skateboards there, fine, enforce the law. Tell them to go skateboard somewhere else, hell, write them a citation. But to assault a small teen boy and steal his skateboard is just going to far.

If that was my kid, I'd be hard after that cop's ass, first in the legal arena. If the system failed me, then I'd take his ass down and give him an ass beating he'd never forget....but I'd go after his job first. :grr:

[NJmaverick]

159. the pieces of shit were the punk ass kids

Who regularly broke the law and pissed off the cops, because they thought breaking the law and pissing off the cops was funny. That's why it's on tape, they did this for fun.

[guitar man]

173. the cop's behavior

...was completely out of line, no matter what the kids did. assaulting the kid is not right. Tell them not to skate there, write them a citation and if it becomes necessary should they keep it up, take him into custody and arrest him, haul him downtown and call his parents. But that kind of behavior from a law enforcement officer should never be acceptable. Ever

[NJmaverick]

180. The kids behavior was unexctable

as was the neglegent behavior of the parents, that raised them and allowed them to run free. It's bad enough Baltimore PD had to waste time with these punks over and over and over again. It costs the tax payers money and keeps police from helping other citizens.

[guitar man]

183. then

slap the cuffs on them and take them downtown if needed, don't assault them.

[NJmaverick]

186. That's a waste of time and taxpayer's money

Only work if the parents give a damn that their kids are monsters.

[guitar man]

187. I'd rather see him

jump on the parent's ass that way rather than assault the kid if the parent's are actually negligent.

[NJmaverick]

189. I would rather see the parents fined and held accountable

but laws like that will never pass, so the police are put in a no win situation, where they are a source of entertainment for some street punks.

[guitar man]

191. I have no problem with that

I do however have a problem with out of control cops, no matter what their reason.

[NJmaverick]

193. The cops get frustrated

and those kids needed an ass kicking. I have no problem with what that cop did. The kids were asking for it, and they got what they deserved.

[guitar man]

198. tough shit

if they get "frustrated". I've had the shit beat out of me a couple times by "frustrated" cops. There is no excuse for that behavior from professional LEOs.If they can't handle their frustrations while on the job, they need to find another line of work.

[uppityperson]

199. Professional police need to able to control their behavior.

[guitar man]

200. exactly

"frustrated" is not an excuse. I have a computer here at work today that has been slow and giving me fits all day. You suppose if I picked it up and threw it through the window when my boss comes in here to find out what the hell just happened I can just shrug my shoulders and say "I was frustrated" and all will be well? Yeah, right.

Cops have to learn and practice dealing with lawbreakers and the general citizenry at large without allowing it to become personal and without abusing their authority. We certainly don't like it when cops become frustrated with war protesters and lash out violently against them, do we? If we allow this kind of behavior from those that we choose to arm and give this kind of authority to, sooner or later we will all find ourselves facing this kind of behavior on a regular basis.

[NJmaverick]

202. I think it's better that they direct their anger

at the punk ass kids that deserve it. Too bad he couldn't give the parents an ass kicking as well!

[BlackVelvet04]

263. Monsters????

You really need to get some professional help for your anger issues.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

285. "Monsters." And it's us non-authoritarians who use hyperbole. Right. -nt

[NJmaverick]

207. Assulting them might do some good

They get arrested and the parents come down, give the police a hard time and take their little "angels" home. In the end you waste taxpayer's money and police manpower.

[guitar man]

217. no, sorry

wrong answer. When lawlessness is acceptable from those we trust to enforce the law, we will all wind up living in a police state.

[NJmaverick]

231. When the law fails

then other actions need to be taken. The law didn't stop these punks, but an ass kicking would have (if not for the failure of the kids parents and the city).

[guitar man]

239. well then

..on my commute to work, there are people speeding down the Turner Turnpike headed into Oklahoma city. The cops will show up and set up radar and stop a bunch of people and ticket them, but no matter how many times they do this, the people will go back to speeding through there.

I guess since the "law has failed" at stopping the speeders, maybe next time they should stop the cars,pull the drivers out and beat the shit out of them. Maybe they could stop the speeders that way? Makes sense to me since the law didn't stop these punks, so other actions need to be taken, right?

[NJmaverick]

242. The difference is speeders get points on their licenses

So they will stop after a few tickets. These kids, on the other hand, will pretty much keep on going. As for your claims of "beat the shit out of them".... engage in hyperbole much? It's a shame when people can't produce a good argument and resort to nonsense like that.

[guitar man]

250. you're the one

that suggested an "ass kicking" may be the soultion to a problem. I don't see a lot of difference between and "ass kicking" and "beating the shit out of someone". Maybe it depends on what part of the country one comes from as to the distinction?

And as far as stopping the speeders? Not a chance. It will be 5 years this May that I have been making the same commute and I can't count the times they have set up radar traps between Wellston and Oklahoma City, to no avail. The western end of the Turner turns into a high-speed melee every morning, regardless of tickets and points on licenses. So maybe some "ass kickings" are in order. :eyes:

[NJmaverick]

252. Ass kicking can be verbal or physical or both

What you said on the other hand was "beat the shit out of" that is a statement meaning causing serious bodily harm. That would be the very definition of hyperbole.

[guitar man]

259. where I'm from

an ass kicking means someone got the shit kicked out of them. Difference in local dialects I guess.

I guess I just see the issue of being too permissive in what the police are allowed to do differently. Probably because of what my friends and I lived through in Lincoln County Oklahoma in the mid 1980s. The county sheriff decided him and his deputies were going to "clean up the county".

They started out fairly mild, I guess you could say they "kicked a little ass" to get some punks off the street, much to the delight of many of the county's residents at first. Then it got out of hand. By the time the FBI had to step in, the Sheriff's dept had enlisted the aid of some self styled local vigilantes, were beating confessions out of people, threatened to throw someone out of an airplane without a parachute, burned down a local newspaper office and pretty much ran a general reign of terror over the county until the FBI finally stepped in and put a stop to it, ultimately sending the Sheriff and some of his deputies to prison.

It all started innocently enough I guess, but it spun out of control in a hurry. So excuse me if I don't have as permissive of an attitude where law enforcement officers' acttions are concerned. I've seen firsthand what a little permissiveness can lead.

[RaleighNCDUer]

308. "other actions"

That's called "lynching", asshole.

[immoderate]

190. If "no skateboarding" was posted...

I think the cop, at his option, could confiscate the skateboard, and release it to his parents.

I deplore the cop's demeanor; he should be re-trained, unless this is typical, in which case he should be let go.

If those kids do this type of thing regularly, that is a serious matter as well. I can't blame the parents, but I hope they instructed their kid to deal with cops (and all people) differently.

"Sorry, officer, I didn't see the sign," goes down a lot better than, "You're not my boss."

Both sides are wrong here, but the cop is supposed to be professional.

--IMM

[NJmaverick]

192. The kids knew they were breaking the law

and they admit they gave the cops a hard time, so they could then film them yelling at them. The parents should be ashamed of themselves for raising lawless monsters with no regard for the law or law officers. The police are not their kids play things.

[LoZoccolo]

194. So?

Should the cop be allowed to shoot and kill them?

Well OK, you also believe that there is an appropriate reaction, even to law-breaking. Your's just includes excessive use of force.

Earth to cops and their lackeys: if you are an officer of the law, you will encounter people who break the law. If you cannot control yourself in the face of that, turn in your gun and badge so someone else who can act like a civilized human being can take your place.

[NJmaverick]

212. Hyperbole and strawman arguements, are not acceptable

debate points. The cops kicked their ass. He used the correct ammount of force, not of the kids were injured.

[LoZoccolo]

216. Is there or is there not such a thing as an appropriate reaction to being disrespected? n/t

[NJmaverick]

230. The kids made a game of breaking the law and taunting the police

they got the appropriate reaction

[LoZoccolo]

235. Whatever, you are licking boots. You're almost alone in this thread. n/t

[NJmaverick]

241. lol I notice that most people were done with this thread

once they learned the FULL story. Once they learned that the kids were having fun and sport at the police's expense the outrage pretty much dried up. So yeah it looks like I am done. Justice and the truth have been served and a misinformation has been destroyed.

[RaleighNCDUer]

309. No, they gave up because they were tired of listening to you

asshole.

You are a fucking fascist. You would happily man the ovens, walk the dogs inside the fence line. No amount of authority is too much for you.

Most Nazis went to their graves believing they were right, too.

[uppityperson]

197. "Lawless monsters"???

:rofl:

[NJmaverick]

201. You really don't take losing an argument well dude

Perhaps some therapy

[LoZoccolo]

203. Now you are the one being a lawless monster with your personal attacks. n/t

[NJmaverick]

206. Yeah right

better to attack me, than deal with the facts

[LoZoccolo]

209. Well, you did not deal with the fact that I brought up in #194. n/t

[LoZoccolo]

210. Well, you did not deal with the fact that I brought up in #194. n/t

[NJmaverick]

213. Thanks for the head up

Otherwise I would see the hypocrisy in your personal attack. Calling somone a monster? Hello pot?!?! You attacked me and cops with a strawman arguement so full of hyperbole that it ammounted to utter nonsense. Yet you have the nerve to suggest I am "lawless monster"?!!? What does that make you?

[uppityperson]

224. Ya took the words right out of my mouth.

I am not the one obsessed with who wins or loses arguments here. I just quit.

[byronius]

165. Barney Fife in Shorts and Bumblebee Costume.

This almost seems staged.

Those kids are probably going to grow up to be laywers, or DU activists.

[guitar man]

178. no shit

now I know what's wrong with the cop...this is what happened to him as a kid :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmVn6b7DdpA

[zonkers]

221. Its right out of super troopers.

[MrScorpio]

233. I've been on the wrong end of an asshole bully of a cop's anger before

Still today, I never trust all the fuckers

[JerseygirlCT]

236. Yup

And even though I've now got friends who are cops, the memory of that abusive one lingers. To see children being abused by an adult so out of control is really frightening.

[NJmaverick]

244. Cop hating bigotry is no better than hating gays or blacks

or any other group. It's just plain wrong!

[kwassa]

238. This is minor league.

I went to a college where town/gown relationships were so bad the cops would take students out behind the dorms and beat the daylights out of them. Upper middle-class white students.

This is why the Rodney King beating did not shock me in the slightest. Cops know when they are the only power around.

This kid only got yelled at. Big deal.

Much worse has happened in cop vs. citizen confrontations. Most all never make the light of day, I'm sure, and most happens to minorities.

[Chovexani]

281. It may be minor league, but it's a part of the problem

I have no doubt that if those kids were black or Latino they'd be smears on the pavement, but the fact that they only got yelled at doesn't make this cop's reaction any less ridiculous. "Dude" clearly has a hair trigger temper and no sense of how to react appropriately to a situation. He probably has beat someone's ass in the past, or is likely to do so in the future.

[BB1]

240. Try doing this to a House or Senate member

for them not respecting you, your taxmoney or your vote. See how fast you get your ass thrown in jail. And they're really asking for it.

So even if the kids lured the cop, shouldn't this guy take a short break?
My first thought was: "Ow shit, it's an Iraq vet. This is not his fault."

[NJmaverick]

245. No, the parents should be called on the carpet for letting

their monsters run wild.

[BlooInBloo]

254. Fucking cops.

[NJmaverick]

268. Do you say the same thing about Blacks? Gays? Hispanics?

maybe Jews? Biogtry is ALWAYS wrong.

[uppityperson]

272. Hating assholes is bigotry? Are you a cop? Excuse me, a Police Officer?

[NJmaverick]

277. Hating police officers is biogtry

your words betray you. It's clear you have a hatred for police officers.

[uppityperson]

279. Only if you think all cops are assholes. I guess you think that. Are you a cop?

Hating an asshole for being an asshole of any stripe, even here, is not bigotry.
ps. perhaps anger management class might help.

[NJmaverick]

280. So do you hate those kids for being assholes?

or is your hatred limited to those trying to do their job?

[uppityperson]

284. I think a person in authority who loses their temper like this cop did is an asshole. Are you a cop?

this police guy was out of control. Anyone who responds this way to a bunch of kids, even if they were baiting him, which I still disagree with, has acted unprofessionally, needs to be at MINIMAL suspended, given anger management classes, and yes, is an asshole. This cop was an asshole.

Are you a cop?

[NJmaverick]

286. I think the parents of the kids and the kids should be held

accountable. They have wasted tax payers money and caused law enforcement people unneeded job stress. Are you a parent?

[uppityperson]

288. You don't feel professionals like police should be responsible for their actions. Got it.

You continue to focus on kids and parents, ignoring any responsibility this adult, this police guy, has for his behavior. Are you a cop?

Edited to add, never mind answering as I see you cannot or are pathologically unable to answer except to repeat yourself, saying the same thing "kids are monsters, parents are responsible" so off to put you on ignore. tata.

[NJmaverick]

290. You don't think parents or kids should be held accountable

for there actions, got it. Are you a parent?

[DaveJ]

294. BTW, great camera work

Apparently the kid's friend was holding it by his thigh in such a way the cop didn't see it. Surprising everything was in view so well.

I hate to think how tyrannical our government would be if it weren't for technology like video and the Internet helping us keep an eye on things.

Now, we just need to legalize skateboarding in parks.

[fascisthunter]

297. That Guy Shouldn't Be a Cop

If he loses his cool with 14 year olds, can you imagine what he might do in more dire situations? What a head case! Get therapy for yourself, DUDE!

[MrScorpio]

310. Bingo!

The only thing he did was show how much of a bully he could be when dealing with a couple of brats.

I have no doubt that has had more than a few citzen complaints against him.

I bet his superiors know about him too. As they have him patrolling the park!

[jrk57]

304. YouTube Elections?

Hi 'Tubers!

I've been interested in this topic for awhile, especially with the buzz going on around YouTube with videos such as ObamaGirl and the latest "Yes We Can!" video by Will.i.am....so I am wondering, what do you think YouTube has on the 2008 elections? More specifically, what do you think user-generated media has on political discourse...is it becoming more democratic??

For my graduate thesis, I have begun to research some of these questions and I would love to have your participation in a very short survey of mine (only take 10 minutes, I promise) but would help me out considerably.

I'd love to hear your feedback on the topic, or any good YouTube videos you have seen that you would recommend others to watch, so please make comments below...thank you!!

<a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=OtS_2fnWx9UXb5OQwz_2btTw9g_3d_3d">Click Here to take survey</a>

or if the link above doesnt work, type it in yourself at Http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=OtS_2fnWx9UXb5OQwz_2btTw9g_3d_3d

Thanks,
jrk57

[uppityperson]

307. Byebye spammer.

Next time, read the rules.