Yep, especially since the guy is a 14-year veteran. The cop acted more like a rookie on his first non-routine traffic stop.
I came out too much on the cop’s side because everybody was screaming “psycho powedrunk cop, put him in jail and sue his department into oblivion”, all emotion and not much thought.
Definitely fault on both sides. The thing that gets my goat is that people think that since the driver is not the professional, he carries no responsibility for his assinine behavior. They teach you about traffic stops in drivers ed. Any reasonable person knows that it’s better to go with the flow on a traffic stop than scream and argue the whole way. I’m not saying kiss is a**, I’m suggesting a little mutual respect. No matter how much the officer pisses you off, and there’s some real dorkus cops out there, a ticket is a whole lot better than arrest or racking up further charges.
I have NEVER said the driver bears no responsibilty... but, I do not think he was being overly disrespectful. He was not yelling, or being rude in his initial comments.. he was just trying to discuss the situation with the officer. It was stupid.. yea. Cause, most people know it's pointless. But, he was trying...and, in a reasonably polite tone.
There been a LOT of talk about Massey's "refusal to provide his license and registration".... like this is a sign of belligerence that, by itself, makes him worthy of arrest. I went back and timed the tape (And, this part doesn't appear to be edited). From the time the officer FIRST ask.... until the time Massey produced it.. was 1 minute, 11 seconds. 71 seconds... meanwhile, he was saying, "But sir.. I really don't think I was speeding. How fast do you think I was going". I'm sorry... I just don't think this level of delay is critical at all to this story.
They teach you about traffic stops in drivers ed.
Don't know where you live... but, here in Kentucky, they DON'T teach Driver's Ed anymore... We have to teach our own kids, or hire an AAA trainer. As far as I know.. my sons got their first training about how to deal with getting a traffic citation when I showed them this tape.
Any reasonable person knows that it’s better to go with the flow on a traffic stop than scream and argue the whole way.
I'm sorry... I just don't hear Massey screaming in the tape... (except when tased). Gardner is the first one to do any yelling. The MOST disrepectful thing I heard Gardner say was, "I'm not signing anything... until we can go back and see a sign." That statement had a "spoiled brat tone"... or maybe, one of self-righteous indignation.. but, not really of dis-respect for the officer.
My main point now is... this incident should NEVER have gotten to the level of making an arrest.. period. Massey had done NOTHING until then to warrant an arrest. Was arrest a 'legal option' for the cop? Yes... but, it was VERY poor judgement, and led to an unwarranted escalation of the entire situation.