FCBlitz said:
fc2112 said:
Quote:
(May 2015) Baltimore, Maryland - A Baltimore officer was captured on video pepper-spraying a man, in a "f--k the police" shirt, but doesn't show what happened before the incident.A police officer in Baltimore was captured on video Saturday night pepper-spraying and taking down a man wearing a "F--k The Police" t-shirt.
The video doesn't show what happened immediately before the unidentified protester was doused with pepper spray, which caused him to stagger backward.
He is then pegged to the ground by another officer, handcuffed and dragged to the sidewalk. Three officers picked him up by his legs and arms and carry him to the side of a building where they poured water on his face. Police called for a medic after the incident, according to The Associated Press..
Does "what did he do before the incident" really matter other then he took an extreme threatening posture and closed the gap. He did find out.
Completely matters, both legally and morally.
Although police can react to the threat of violence and don't have to wait for the act of violence, there is no threat of violence shown in the video. I'm not saying there wasn't a threat, it's just not seen in the video. If this guy was protesting just using offensive words and no actual threat, he should have been allowed to do so. A threatening posture is a conclusion, how was he threatening? Closed the gap, but what articulable reason did the officer have to believe he was going to be assaulted?
Even with a failure to obey a lawful order, OC and pulling him down like that would have been excessive, just based on the short, inconclusive video..
Since this wasn't national news and the PD getting sued, I would guess what happened beforehand justified this use of force and arrest. It would be nice to see though.