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by G.A. Heath
Mon Apr 02, 2012 7:27 am
Forum: LEO Contacts & Bloopers
Topic: Off Duty Officer and guys recording at wal-mart
Replies: 85
Views: 19427

Re: Off Duty Officer and guys recording at wal-mart

Based on what I saw in the video My thoughts are that the officer initiated and escalated the entire contact. His motives are not entirely unknown to us, he already stated he had been hurt once at that location earlier that day. He may have thought they were attempting to ID him for the other party(s) to better facilitate a relatiatory action. But what ever his logic was he went about it in the wrong way. The off duty officer was the first to assault the video taker when he grabbed at the camera, at which time the video taker attempted to disengage the contact and the officer drew his taser. The Officer then continued the contact with the video taker and the third party (video takers friend) placed himself between the officer and the video taker. This was done in an appearent attempt to deescalate the situation and was the basis of the officer slapping his hand aside after which the third party does appear to touch the officer. With that said the video takers actions are completely justified based on what I have seen, the actions taken by the Video takers friend are mostly justified (The touching of the officer might be justifiable after the officer has already assaulted one person and may have assaulted the toucher). The officers actions were not professional, if he felt the need to draw a weapon (A taser is a weapon) he should have called for assistance before continuing the contact for a number of reasons. If he didn't feel threatened then there is no need to draw a weapon and he should not have done so.

With that said if I had been a witness to that encounter I would have called 911 (Officer with a weapon drawn and no appearent backup in place) and reported the situation while trying to find cover incase things progressed to the level of bullets.

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