[defconw]

Cops would do themselves a big favor if they would learn when to be cocky and when to be cool. They have a freaking gun, why go hard ass from the get go? Force meets resistance with most men, especially if they feel they are being disrespected. So why start there? Friendly works 99% of the time. Then you can always ratchet up the force.

This officer should have taken a good look at the man. Made note on his appearance. Does he look tired, drunk, high, ill, agitated, sleepy? How is he dressed? Does he appear to waiting for something or someone? That would be a good way to start a conversation with the man to find out what he's about.

I am thinking about the instances when cops have hurt or killed people with medical or mental conditions. Observation before confrontation.

[CitizenUSA]

I agree. Police seem to resort to violence way too often. What’s wrong with being polite, informing a citizen what they are doing wrong, and using the bare minimum of violence relative to a situation? It shouldn’t matter if a citizen has an attitude or black skin.

Government powers are few and limited. Citizen rights are everything else. The benefit of the doubt should always go to the citizen. That’s the ideal.

If the police don’t have probable cause that a crime has been committed, what gives them the authority to demand ID from anyone? If a citizen hasn’t been arrested or detained based on reasonable suspicion, they should be free to go about their business unmolested. That should even include the freedom to walk away from the police, i.e. “Am I being detained?” If not, the police have no right to do anything further.