THE SPEECH IS PROTECTED. (Period.)

We’ve all heard it – unless one is yelling, “Fire” in a crowded theater (where there is an obvious risk of imminent, serious physical damage or property damage). This was none of that!

BRAVO! The problem is actually a First Amendment issue re: Speech. The police resonably should know that they cannot arrest someone based upon the message. That’s what happened here. Was this guy causing a riot? NO!

The NFL has rules re: taunting, a.k.a. sportsmanship. They established those rules because than can. Otherwise, and prior to their establishment, player statements were governed by the same rules that govern fans’ remarks – NONE.

At a time when California NEEDS tourism’s $$$, we’re best served by letting them know that absent the officers’ leave w/out pay while investigating, and a thorough conclusion, we won’t be vacationing in a Police State.

I’ve already written on Mayor (not Colonel) Jerry Sanders’ website asking for an explanation, and will be snail mailing both he and Chief William Lansdowne of the S.D.P.D.

I encourage all Americans who are concerned about the erosion of their civil liberties to do the same.
Peter

Johnny Law – you are no expert on the law or law enforcement. Your knowledge is limited to the law as it applies to your job and your ability to manipulate the law in support of yourself or your brothers-in-blue. Not justice, not right-or-wrong, not as a proud public servant, just as a CYOA necessity. Further you are a single opinion, no more or less valuable than anyone else here. You wrongly assume that because you are an officer you have some valuable insight that supersedes the experiences, knowledge, and opinions of everyone else here. You don’t own the badge you wear, you don’t represent all law enforcement (I know a few who would cringe at your posts here and on your personal blog), you don’t get respect just because you put on the uniform – police abuses have pretty much destroyed any chance at that. As for pinning that badge on myself and doing your job perfectly- I would consider it if not for the fear of having to work with people like you. I readily concede that your job is hard, frustrating and mistakes happen. In my opinion the police would get a lot further (and maybe that respect that you feel is automatically deserved) with the public if they took less of an ‘us vs you/them’ approach when dealing with grey area situations (like the one depicted in this video).

From my perspective (admittedly only 1 opinion, no more or less valuable that anyone else’s here) you do more damage for the image of LEOs than many of the officers that wind up having their stories posted on Carlos’ site. The cops getting busted by videos, photos, and the like are usually just dumb or ignorant. You show up here to reinforce that perspective on purpose with a self-righteous atitude that is truly scary.