[supercat]

good cops are going to see this and be less likely to stop suspicious cars for fear of similar scenarios. cops just want to go home safe at the end of their tour. if that means sitting in the car and just filling out reports for crimes that have already happened, so be it.

Should good cops ever threaten to invent charges against detainees? Should it be in their nature to even consider such a thing?

Had the cop refrained from such threats, he might still have his job. But since such threats were in his nature, he should be off the force. Cops whose nature would not lead them to make such threats should have little to worry about.

[thefactor]

cops are simply people who are entrusted with a great deal of authority, discretion, and must deal with a variety of possibly dangerous circumstances.

this cop was walking up to a car in the middle of the night, alone and not knowing what to expect.

should the cop have had thicker skin? absolutely! this punk kid wasn't worth it. but other cops see this scenario and know that they could fall into this kind of trap simply if they were having a bad day, things at home aren't going well, boss giving you crap, etc...

it's just a function of cops in general thinking that society doesn't respect them or their job and the everyday citizen has no idea what cops are asked to do day in and day out. this situation will only amplify cops feelings of isolation. that's my point.

this cop was wrong, but all cops know guys who would have handled this situation just like he did. it brings it all closer to home.