In defense of the LEOs...they probably have department regulations dictating handcuffs for any person arrested...still sucks, and I'm sure they knew how it would look...common sense isn't common.
I will join you in defending the LEO's here. They are charged with doing their job, no matter how disgusting it may be. The pictures of the kids in cuffs make a major statement about the injustice of this whole ordeal.
If those police officers and sheriff's deputies had even a shred of decency in their character, they should turn in their badges and guns rather than be the guardians of the Terri Schiavo death chamber.
I assume with your nick you are LEO. As you know, almost every department requires handcuffs across the board during any arrest. You also know that the police are simply following orders and have no say in and if they can arrest in situations like this.
Yes it look bad placing children in cuffs. Yes it does not do much for community relations, however, these officers are following standard officer safety rules and should not be slammed for doing their job.
I agree completely, and I suspect there are cops in the area who are embarassed and have told their chiefs, commanders, and sheriffs "this is nuts!" and "what the hell are we doing here?"
Maybe regulations don't require them to handcuff everyone arrested but they knew how bad the pictures would look and this is the cops' way of protesting, by making things look as bad as possible.
Imagine dedicating yourself to public safety and being used this way.
It's surprising blue flu hasn't hit the whole department.