1. Throw snowballs.
2. Pull out your handgun.
3. Call for backup.
From Radley Balko, it looks like Reason TV was in the right place at the right time.
While Radley correctly notes that the uniforms shows better sense (not to mention restraint) than the Hummer driving detective Baylor, it’s not like they whispered in the detective’s ear, “uh, don’t you think you might want to put the gun away and, like, uh, leave before the video goes viral?”
And as for those in the crowd screaming old 1960’s nastiness to the cops, come up with something new, please. That’s just so dated.
Update: And after a thorough investigation,
Assistant Chief Peter Newsham tells LL: “There was no police pulling guns on snowball people.”
That clears that up.
Discover more from Simple Justice
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Classic – marvellous. Well… good to see that there are some dumb Police / Homo Plodiens your side as well as on our side. Good work!
There’s no shortage of bad judgment in that video. Haven’t these people heard of the Boston Massacre?
I guess they assumed that the cop knew that John Adams wasn’t available to represent him in court.
Exactly why I would not want to be a cop these days. Admittedly I may have a skewed perspective as a prosecutor but there’s bad judgment on both sides.
Did the Dec. Baylor overreact? Perhaps. BUT, we don’t see the whole story here. All we see is the point at which he pulls the gun and the aftermath (which is also edited). What happened before that?
Why did he stop (what were the snowball kids doing)? Obstructing traffic by running in the street? Damaging vehicles? Once stopped, did he identify himself? Had he requested everyone to disburse? Was there a threat he perceived sufficient enough to draw his gun (or was he doing it to just be a dick)?
Its easy for all of us to look at the video as presented as say “OMG, Can you believe it?” But ask yourself, what are you NOT seeing here?
Note, my post was made before the update. The update seems to answer some of the questions.
After following some of the links in the article the update points to, I have one question: Does DC just have too much money? Officer riding around in a Hummer, wearing a North Face jacket . . . jeesh.
Not a flake up here. You’re getting it aren’t you?
It wasn’t all that complicated a scenario. His Hummer was hit by a snowball, nothing more life-threatening than that. No particular reason to assume that there was any “hidden” details that would alter what was written or show, except that this involved a police detective. Of course, it would be great if that skepticism would be applied to everyone and not just the police. Is it?
Assistant Chief Peter Newsham tells LL: “There was no police pulling guns on snowball people.”
Well, who are you going to believe? An assistant police chief on one hand or the photo and the cop saying that he did, because he got hit with snowballs, on the other?
But the man said so…
Social comments and analytics for this post
This post was mentioned on Reddit by CharlesBarkley: Typical retard with an authoritarian complex giving the good cops a bad name. SMH!
“And as for those in the crowd screaming old 1960’s nastiness to the cops, come up with something new, please. That’s just so dated.”
You’re not talking about, “Don’t bring a gun to a snowball fight?”
And if it’s, “Fuck you pig!” I think people are simply fed up with the way things sometimes go down when police are involved.
Did I miss something else?
First, anyone who calls himself dude should not be allowed on the internet without parental supervision.
Second, No.
Third, Ya think?
Fourth, Yes.
Epic!
(No, I have nothing else to add.)
Update to the update: apparently, that statement is no longer operative. And you got it all wrong: Baylor didn’t stop because he was mad at the folks who threw snowballs at his personal Hummer — he stopped to “inspect for any damage that may have occurred.” Which, you’ve got to admit, is better than stopping to inspect for damage that couldn’t possibly have occurred.
Nice, our friend Det. Baylor wasn’t even on duty. What an asshat.
I could see the cop being frightened. Entering a mob-like situation which could easily escalate should someone throw a snowball that contained a rock, would be scary for anyone. I think he overreacted by pulling his weapon but throwing projectiles at moving vehicles is an easy way to cause an accident. He should have identified himself. Told them to stop. Called for backup if they didn’t listen. Pulling the gun was uncalled for and he should be reprimanded. I think throwing him off the force as others have suggested would be too harsh a penalty given the circumstances.
In some jurisdictions (like Florida) displaying a gun without justification for the use of deadly force constitutes “aggravated assault” and carries a three year mandatory sentence.
Simply firing an officer or as too often happens allowing him to resign is egregious. He should be fired AND prosecuted.