Even though it might sound harsh and impolitic, here is the bottom line: if you don’t want to get shot, tased, pepper-sprayed, struck with a baton or thrown to the ground, just do what I tell you. Don’t argue with me, don’t call me names, don’t tell me that I can’t stop you, don’t say I’m a racist pig, don’t threaten that you’ll sue me and take away my badge. Don’t scream at me that you pay my salary, and don’t even think of aggressively walking towards me. Most field stops are complete in minutes. How difficult is it to cooperate for that long?
“I’m a cop. If you don’t want to get hurt, don’t challenge me.” is an op-ed that was penned by Sunil Dutta, a professor of homeland security at Colorado Tech University and a 17-year veteran of the LAPD. The whole article is like that, and basically boils down to “respect my authority and you won’t get hurt”.
I think it’s pretty safe to say that when you’re taking your cues from Cartman on “South Park”, you may want to re-think your position.
Update: Dammit, apparently Daring Fireball made that connection last night. This is what happens when I start posting things before I catch up on my RSS feeds from the night before.