REMEMBER KELLY THOMAS?
He was this poor dude with a mental disorder, down on his luck, without a job, homeless, etc. If you get depressed easily, don’t look it up, but if you do, I’ll give you the short and skinny so you don’t have to:
He was beaten to death by cops… like…. super beaten. All those “hard to break” bones in his face and stuff – they broke. And he wasn’t raping, pillaging, or plundering, but merely lurking or something in the street (remember he was homeless).
He might have done a little back talking along the way, but that still doesn’t warrant what happened to him. I’ll let you look it up. The pictures are grotesque.
BACKTALK: A WASTE OF TIME
Snide commentary is never wise when dealing with police, but at the day’s end, law enforcement is meant to serve and protect us – not their egos. I’ve said this previously, but as time passes, I’ve found more videos around the net featuring drivers recording encounters with police, while pulled over for traffic violations:
It’s amazing how very differently police comport themselves when they believe they’re being visually documented. Sometimes, that might just be what it takes. But…really? This guy is ridiculous. You do NOT have to be a douche like the guy above, who’s clearly trying to act cool just for Youtube and/or taking his past experiences with cops out on this one.
Though the cop seems like a rookie and apparently doesn’t know his stuff (maybe his partner was helping him on his first pull-over), he’s generally polite and this driver is a complete asshat. It’s like poking at a circus tiger you think is tame, for the shear amusement of pissing him off and knowing he won’t rip you to shreds; this punk is repeatedly antagonizing Officer Whatever with the sole purpose of generating a reaction so he can scream about how he “knows his rights” if the cop makes one false comment or asks him to step out of the vehicle.
DUAL DEFERENCE
You shouldn’t live in fear of cops, but usually you get what you give. So don’t act like you’re better than them (or anyone) either. It’s basic mutual respect. Not all cops are “pigs”. I’ve met some awesome ones both outside of being pulled over, and while being pulled over. I’ve also met some real douchetards.
Stereotypes are what’s deemed a blanket characteristic for a certain group. But if you treat every member you meet from such a group (police included) with disrespect based on that stereotype, then you’re only going to help propagate it into more of a reality.
“Well, if they’re all dicks and I’m being accused of being a brute, I might as well go ahead and be an asshole and wield my power (and weapons) around to all! You get a nightstick! And YOU get a pistol whip! And YOU get some pepperspray! Excessive force for all!”
COPS ON CAMERA
That being said, I think face-to-face video camera thing might not be best if you’re pulled over while driving solo for the following reason:
You’ve got to think like a crazy neanderthal to start with. So… if I were some psycho testosterone infused hulk cop ready to unleash relentless brute force on a snotty speeding teenager, I would probably snatch up his camera or phone and smash it as soon as he aimed it at me:
“Phone?! VIDEO?! What phone?! WHAT CAMERA? What you gonna do NOW, PUNK?!”
Contrarily, here’s an alternative:
If I were really concerned about how to document a situation I thought might turn ugly, I’d call a close friend or family member who also had an iphone, hold it up, and keep it rolling. The convo might proceed thus so:
THE REALITY OF IT
I’m not condoning the transformation from a nice-cop into a crazypants after being bullied by a few snide speed demons. We’re not kids anymore. We all should know better. But instead of wasting your time planning a provocation with Sergeant Psycho, look up your rights before a potential problem arises – whether in a car or elsewhere.
Know terms like, “Are you detaining me, or am I free to go?” or “I’m sorry, but I can’t let you in without a warrant”. Ignorant people love to say “I know my rights!” when they really don’t. Make sure you do.
Start with respect. You won’t always get it back, and I’m not saying to be a doormat if ish gets unprofessional; but if you don’t initiate a fire, you won’t have to worry about whether your life (either literally by brutal beating or figuratively on your permanent record) will get put out along with it.
xoxo
<3~A