Following the discussion  of why people shouldn’t needlessly antagonize cops, comes this opportune video in juxtaposition, via Turley. The setup comes via the Daily Pulp, reportedly from the attorney, Brad Cohen.

“We have several witnesses for the incident prior to the arrest.  The facts are essentially the train was going past the intersection, on SW 2nd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale.  My client, Brennen Hamilton, was waiting with his wife and friends for the train to pass.  My client leaned up against the rear of the police car. 

Officer Overcash approached my client and took him by the arm and said ‘Get your ass off the car. How would you like it if I leaned my ass on your car?’  My client remained silent and rolled his eyes. The Officer said ‘Really tough guy, you have something to say to me?’  My client remained silent.  Officer Overcash then said ‘Yeah, that’s right tough guy, you’ve got nothing to say.’ The train passed and my client and his wife went to his car and called Fort Lauderdale Police, to complain about the treatment he just received.  There wasn’t a Lt. or a Sgt. working at that time, so he left his number.  During the call he was asked for the Officer’s name and badge number.  He did not know that information. 

After getting off the phone he went back to Officer Overcash and asked him if he could please give him his badge number and name. “

Now for the video of what follows.

Unlike those wild, hotheaded kids, Hamilton conducts himself appropriately in all respects.  Note how well he was treated by Police Officer Overcash. who was quite careful to make sure he didn’t snap the cuffs on too tight.  Notice how Hamilton was left standing rather than thrown to the ground?  That’s the benefit of walking toward the police rather than forcing them to come to you. 

Say, what was his shield number again? 

There are two questions that I cannot, despite my constant struggle, answer: Do cops not know that their behavior is being videotaped and will come under scrutiny?  Even though their department will conduct a very thorough investigation before finding their conduct totally proper, they will be forever branded on the internet as falling shy of officer of the year?  Don’t they realize their kids watch these videos?

But Hamilton did not get beaten, so it’s not like being polite was a total waste of time as he was led away in cuffs for booking.