Martha R. wrote:
I just watched the video. (Couldn't do it earlier in the day due to internet issues.)
I think he should have called for back-up sooner, preferably a female cop, and I bet the lady would have gotten out of the car. At her age, she could have been confused, especially if she had a bladder infection like she said. Yes, he can ask for her ID and insurance, but seriously, was she such a threat that he should drag her from the car? If additional cops had come, she would probably have seen things more clearly. She didn't curse at him (at least that I heard,) and she wasn't nasty. She just had her mind made up and was being stubborn -- and that's what leads me to believe that she was confused. Nobody in her right mind would refuse so simple a request especially if she needed to go to the bathroom and showing her license was between her and the toilet. ;0)
All he had to say, was, "Mam, I'm afraid you're going to have to use the bathroom in your vehicle, unless, I see some I.D." Period.
HE DID NOT HAVE TO DRAG HER OUT OF THAT CAR AND CUFF HER IN THAT SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME, JUST BECAUSE HE COULD!
You'd think he'd have some people skills, some psychology training, , some evaluation skills, or some kind of methodology, to diffuse a situation like that.
Nope, all he used was his power and authority to literally drag her to jail.
Great crime fighting skills there, officer.
It stinks and it's stupid, and it was an over reaction, and a power struggle and NO judge would keep her in jail.
He was just going to show her, a thing or two.