I would have to agree with that. Look, if the kid is on the phone or not, what difference does it make?
If you can defend your actions (and you damn well must), what is the problem with the phone or a person that is not making any physical or verbal form of attack.
The kid is talking on the phone, not addressing the officers. Surely they realize folks are going to criticize them on occasion. They can’t deal with that? Good grief.
I would guess they figured he was recording them.??? They wanted to get the phone. Really shameful.