[C. Edmund Wright]

the guy was a little out of line….the damned cops were way way way out of line.

[luvbach1]

The Leos were incensed that he implied criticism at how they were conducting their duties. He had every right to address them. If after they expressed their annoyance he had the opportunity to leave, it would have been wise for him to have done so. But I'm not sure he would have had the chance. It appears their first request was for him to turn around so they could handcuff him.

I once got away with a milder form of criticism of police. While seated in a cafe next to two uniformed officers having coffee and donuts, I observed (loud enough for the cops to hear) that their squad cars were parked outside at the curb at expired meters, whereupon one of them said: "That's the privilege of driving a black and white car." I said nothing after that and avoided being maced and arrested.