Matt2496
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After watching the video, I think both sides were in the wrong.
Yep.The only thing the officer ARGUABLY (and it is a weak argument) did wrong was at first telling her she was under arrest for refusing the take the ticket. It happens more than you think, and typically the thing to do is to submit the ticket without signature and let the traffic court deals with it. If its serious, the local prosecutor can charge her for unlawfully resisting the officer in the execution of his duties (sometime loosely referred to as "resisting arrest" even though at that point it does not involve arrest.)
From there, however, his actions are absolutely consistent with the law as she ran from the officer once she understood he was placing her under arrest, leading to a vehicle pursuit. Approaching her with gun drawn is fine under the circumstances. Attempting to take her into custody is absolutely justified. She then physically resists being handcuffed, easily justifying use of the taser.
It looks bad because its an old lady. But other than the contention that he could have just sent the citation in without her signature, officer acted properly every other stpe of the way, imo.
Yep.
The only thing I disagree with is arresting the policy of taking them into custody for a traffic citation. I had almost an identical situation a couple of weeks ago. A lady (using that term loosely) absolutely dog cussed me and called me a liar after I pulled her over for driving 70+ mph in a 45, in rush hour traffic, and cutting people off. After I came back with the citation, she refused to sign it. I simply wrote REFUSED TO SIGN on the citation and explained that there are departments (1 in the next couple over) who would take her to jail for refusing to sign and let her on her way....
I sincerely hope she contests the ticket (which she swore she would) and we get to watch the video in court.
A busted tail light... Relax.After watching the video, I think both sides were in the wrong.
The only thing the officer ARGUABLY (and it is a weak argument) did wrong was at first telling her she was under arrest for refusing the take the ticket. It happens more than you think, and typically the thing to do is to submit the ticket without signature and let the traffic court deals with it. If its serious, the local prosecutor can charge her for unlawfully resisting the officer in the execution of his duties (sometime loosely referred to as "resisting arrest" even though at that point it does not involve arrest.)
From there, however, his actions are absolutely consistent with the law as she ran from the officer once she understood he was placing her under arrest, leading to a vehicle pursuit. Approaching her with gun drawn is fine under the circumstances. Attempting to take her into custody is absolutely justified. She then physically resists being handcuffed, easily justifying use of the taser.
It looks bad because its an old lady. But other than the contention that he could have just sent the citation in without her signature, officer acted properly every other stpe of the way, imo.