I think holding them to the standard: "don't take paraplegics and throw them face first to the sidewalk because they don't obey your commands to give them your identity so they can write you a ticket" - is hardly a "higher" standard.Gawdzilla wrote:Ah, police. Pay them like shit and hold them to a higher standard than the rest of the public. Nope, I don't see a problem there.
I respect police officers. But, there is one thing I learned very early on in life. Obey their every command, even an unjust one. Because if there is one thing that pisses a cop off is disobedience. A great many of them will fuck your world up if you don't display complete submission. That's what happened here with this a-hole in the wheelchair. The guy wouldn't answer their questions. They threw him on the ground and added "resisting arrest" to the charges.
What should they have done? How about, hold him where he was and call in a police van that would pick the guy up and take him in to the station? Sounds reasonable, and quite easy. Once at the station, the man's identification could be checked and he could then be cited for public drinking and/or public intoxication. The guy didn't resist, but that's the punishment he gets for exercising his right to remain silent.
By the way, average salary for D.C. Metro Police is $53,000, plus complete health benefits, family life insurance benefits, nice vacation time (13 days during each of the officer's first 3 years, up to 20 days in each of year from 4 to 14, and 26 days during 15 and up). Add to that 13 days of "sick" leave. They offer tuition assistance if the officer wants to get higher education. The department also offers financial assistance to officers so they can buy a house. They get good pension benefits and retirement after 25 years. Paid like shit, my ass.
