The welder did nothing wrong. The cop did everything wrong. And so the gap between the police and everyone else becomes a little wider.
And now for a prediction. This cop will be investigated by his department. At most, it will be found that he violated some policy. He’ll get two days off without pay. Then it’s back on the street harassing citizens.
The only good that can come from this is welder guy sues, and gets a decent payday. But of course the taxpayers will pick up that tab.
This stuff ends when:
1) Qualified immunity is abolished.
2) Judgments are paid by the offending public servants, not by the taxpayers.
3) The offending public servants do serious jail time.