by iceman5 » Fri Nov 17, 2006 5:59 pm
After reading that posted article here are a few of my thoughts
1) At least some of the officers are in deep shit. I cant see how they can justify repeatedly tazing a handcuffed prisoner. I think the student / prisoner is probably a beliigernt idiot with a chip on his shoulder because he thinks everyone is out to get him for being middle eastern, but that doesnt mean he can be tazed over and over again while handcuffed.
2) There is no law that says an officer has to give out his badge number to anyone asking for it. Well, there may be in California, but I doubt it. Theres no law like that that Ive ever heard of. However, most departments have regulations regarding giving out your badge number. In my case we are required to give it to anyone who asks, but not in the middle of a potentially dangerous or volatile situation like this one. Afterwards, when things calm down, yes, we would be required to give names and badge numbers.
3) If an officer tells you to back up, you better damn well back up. In a case like this, the officer who pointed the tazer at the witness and said "try me" probably wouldve been justified in tazing the witness if he made any move towards the officer. The officers were greatly outnumbered and the crowd was becoming hostile. An officer doesnt have to wait until he assaulted until he takes action. Im not saying the witness was going to assualt the officer, but after the witness repeatedly refused to back up and with tensions as high as they were, the officer could easily articulate that he felt threatened.
4) This one kills me. There is absolutely no requirement to read someone their rights when you arrest them. People watch way too much TV. Miranda warning is only required if a person is going to be questioned in relation to a crime that they are a suspect in.
iceman5
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