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.
Cops are delegated authority to investigates crimes and make appropriate arrests. The are not given authority to bully someone who drives into a lot at 2am.
Professionalism would dictate that the cop approach the car and ask what they are doing. When answered NOYB then just get ID and run the tag. The cop can wait around and see if any illegal activity occurs. The cop has no right to abuse his authority and bully someone because they refuse to give information.
If all cops know other cops that would act the same way, then those cops need to get in another line of business. Massive egos and bullies do not belong in the police department.
“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 certainly dropped the ball.
“this cop was walking up to a car in the middle of the night, alone and not knowing what to expect.”
Sorry, I have to disagree with that. This cop asked for an ID, the kid asked what he had done, and the kid did in fact show his ID, the ID didn’t stop the cop from going ballistic.
“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”
Good, cops should realize that they’re public servants, not overlords. If this incident makes another cop stop and think, before he goes Wyatt Earp on somebody, then that’s a good thing.
“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.”
So it’s ok that the cops act like thugs because they collectively have an inferiority complex. As far as what they have to do day in and day out, if you don’t like your job, find a different one.
“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.”
Then they have no business being cops.
Thicker skin? The officer was not the one subjected to abuse. And why do you insist on calling the victim a "punk kid?" Imagine how things would have played out if the conversation had gone:
Officer: May I see your ID?
Citizen: Did I do something wrong?
Officer: (Mistakenly, according to the video) Yes, you were driving erratically before you entered the parking lot and you failed to signal when you made the turn.
But, since the officer didn't have a good reason to confront the citizen, he blew-up when asked a perfectly legitimate question that any of us should be able to inquire of the police when detained by them: "Did I do something wrong?"
Bad cop, no donut!