My way of handling a tense situation, “How can I help you help me?” said in a very nice way with a smile on the mouth and in the eyes. That phrase works wonders for me.
You are correct, but it is his JOB not to let things escalate.
Considering he pulled her over for failing to signal a lane change, he could have overlooked the cigarette and gone on his way.
She just didn’t “respeck his AUTHORITAH!!” and now she is dead for it.
This guy should not be on the force, how did he get this far?