[jwh_Denver]

"The bystanders should be charged with inciting to riot."

We aren't given enough information for you to make this charge. This cop may have had a reputation for being a real jerk and the people were sick of him. I don't know and neither do you.

[snarks_when_bored]

Encouraging assault on a police officer is reasonably construed as inciting to riot, it seems to me. If the D.A. doesn't charge, that's a political decision; if the D.A. charges and the jury acquits, that's the justice system.

[womcg]

Sorry. Doesn't wash. I've seen many incidents when cops, oft times trying to take care of calls/reports made by residents, are attacked just because they are cops. In some areas, cop hating is a community sport. Most intercity areas have hosts of activists primed to go after cops in court and city hall. Jumping a cop, beating him and trying to take his gun is kinda draconian,..even if he is a "jerk". I've had a couple of similar incidents happen to me when making an arrest. I was lucky. Plus, my "situational awareness" in police work always seemed to benefit from my combat background. Like the man said: "Everybody hates cops,..if you want to be loved, be a fireman."

[Tactical]

We aren't given enough information for you to make this charge. This cop may have had a reputation for being a real jerk and the people were sick of him. I don't know and neither do you.

Using your very same logic, the readers don't know that he wasn't a very good cop either. Why read anything into this story? The suspect assaulted and battered the cop. Now he gets to pay the price for having his little fun.