Where Politics And Video Games Collide

You are not legally allowed to argue with a police officer for a ticket. Any protest or denial should be made at the appropriate venue. Engaging an officer in an argument is grounds for an insubordination and possible resisting arrest charge. Police are trained to give a person not engaged in a situation of immediate threat the opportunity to comply with verbal requests before resorting to force. Acceptable levels of force are usually in direct ratio to level of perceived or possible resistance or threat posed.

For instance, a J-walker caught in the act of crossing an empty road is not posing an acceptable threat to the safety of police officers or civilians to warrant force. Changing the scenario changes the possible threat and thusly the acceptability of force. Add to the possibility innocent bystanders, a political motorcade, refusal to comply and physical assault on authorities and force may be necessary. Notice my usage of the word "May."

There are many factors and legal caveats that a police officer faces when a weapon of any kind is drawn. To best protect the rights of a suspect and to protect their own standing on the proper side of the laws of the United States police officers give aforementioned warnings to those facing weapons or physical restraint. In this case video evidence clearly shows the many warnings given the assailant, and his refusal to comply or submit. 

 

In the United States a person has the right to protest, assuming he has undergone the proper channels to organize as granted by the Bill of Rights. Historically those in the process of protesting have faced the usage of force ranging from fire hoses and dog attacks all the way to machine gun fire. Give me a Taser to the chest any day - though any civil disobedience I engage in will be as part of a properly organized unit that is not in violation of the law and not infringing on the rights of others, so I doubt I will be seeing any sparks.