“she was close enough to the cops to make her a potential threat.”
Then why didn’t the cop say this in the first place? “I’m gonna need everyone to step back, please.”
But no, his first words were “You guys (note: plural) need something?”
She said she was recording, and it was her right (which it is).
“Not from the sidewalk it isn’t,” She steps back. “This is my yard.”
The cop has nothing to say, and walks away. Then after giving it some thought, he decides he “feels threatened.” But the other cops don’t and one keeps his back to him.
It’s bogus. Are you not even allowing for the POSSIBILITY that this cop was being Billy Badass, and wanted to save face in front of his cop buddies?
Of course it's possible. But if that was his intention, he certainly didn't do a good job. From the video, he appears to be calm and polite, explaining his concerns and making a seemingly reasonable request several times. He does not come across as an unreasonable JBT pissed off about being videotaped. On the other hand, she comes across as looking to instigate an incident.
Look, I don't reflexively support the cops in these situations. In way too many cases, you have guys with badges and an insecurity complex trying to prove how important they are. That's not what I saw here.
Now, the city may settle just because it is cheaper financially. But if this went to trial, I think she would have a hard time winning. The cop just does not come across as trying to bully her or abuse his authority.
So, the cop can demand that a citizen do anything under threat of arrest if he says he “feels threatened”.
What kind of PUSSY cop is “threatened” by a skinny woman with an iPhone?
No, the real issue here is that the cop in question had a power hardon and didn’t want a “civilian” recording his actions.