"Street lawyer" puts police officer in his place

[True Dough]

Link to tweet

That is forced accountability right there!

[Tiggeroshii]

1. Where was this?

[True Dough]

6. Not confirmed

but a couple of Twitter users indicated it looked like Chicago with the Howard train station in the background.

[brush]

15. I don't know. Chicago cops have that checkerboard pattern on their hats..

[panader0]

2. oh yeah!

[shanny]

3. That was sweet.

[Floyd R. Turbo]

4. My guess is the cop wanted to show off for his partner and got owned!

[FM123]

5. That is exactly what we need more of!

I am clapping so hard in between typing this.....

[EveHammond13]

7. kick

[mountain grammy]

8. Actually, I'm kind of impressed at how calm the cop remained

and didn't escalate this situation like so many of them would, and we know that cause we've seen it. Here's a situation where the cop's motives were questioned.. he could have defended his motives but chose not to, which indicates to me his motives may have been questionable and certainly not defendable, but one thing the cop did not do.. he didn't escalate this..now, I don't know if this is a "good cop" or "bad cop" but he's cool as a cucumber here, and that's the way cops should always be.

[True Dough]

9. Perhaps the tide is finally starting to turn

That cellphone is recording and even though not all cops are being penalized as they should be for misbehavior -- sometimes criminal actions of their own -- they are being convicted more and more in the court of public opinion and the pressure on them is consequently growing.

Power to the people! The way it should be.

[LittleGirl]

11. +1 eom

[mountain grammy]

24. I sure hope so.. Yes, power to the people.

[Fla Dem]

10. My thought too. Luckily he kept his head and didn't pull his gun.

Street lawyer, taking a real chance. Glad it turned out ok.

[LiberalLovinLug]

13. Yup, it seems like all cops have to do these days is start to manhandle them

then shout out how they are "resisting" and "assaulting" them. Naturally many folks will just get angrier at being framed like this and push back a little, which then gives ground for actual arrest, and any subsequent action is "resisting arrest". And if they are "lucky" the cops can get in a bit of arm twisting and punches in there for fun.

[USALiberal]

16. Only because of being recorded I bet! Nt

[mountain grammy]

25. and if that's what it takes.. good for everyone who does it!

But this guy went way beyond recording.. he was basically reading that cop the Constitution and the cop took it.. "we all good here?" I think those asshole cops in Phoenix would have shot this "street lawyer."

I say this cop's been trained! wish I knew where this happened.

[pazzyanne]

17. I was thinking this also!

Kudos to this officer for handling the situation without escalating it.

[aeromanKC]

12. We need this on every street corner

Community cops on the cops. Keep the phones/camera's rolling folks!!

[markpkessinger]

20. We also need more people like this street lawyer . . .

. . . people who know their rights under the law, and are willing to assert them.

[2naSalit]

22. Exactly!

[brush]

14. Wow! I love that. That guy knows his stuff. Should teach classes.

[ZeroSomeBrains]

18. Know your rights folks

This guy gets it. Don't be submissive to people you don't know especially someone who can throw you in jail. Knowing your rights is very important. Look into the ACLU's know your rights section if anyone's interested.
https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights

[True Dough]

21. ACLU is a good go-to resource

Thanks for posting the link.

[TalenaGor]

19. that was awesome!!

[James48]

23. He is incorrect-

It is not illegal, nor is it improper, for a police officer to ask anyone questions.

The officer can ask anything.

It is true that the individual does not have to answer any questions. And if they are not being detained for suspicion of a crime, they are free to walk away.

Knowing your rights also means not accusing a police officer of committing a crime, either. Better go back to school, Mr. Street Lawyer.

[Laelth]

26. Correct on all points. n/t

-Laelth

[Sneederbunk]

31. Street lawyer obviously did not get the response he wanted to photograph.

[tblue37]

27. Could you describe what happens --for us deafies? Thanks. nt

[True Dough]

28. The man holding the phone and recording

informs the man being questioned by the police officer that he has a right to walk away and not answer any questions if he's not being arrested. Otherwise it's illegal detainment. The cop handles it extremely well, very cool and calm about it.

If you read the posts above yours, they're right, the police officer is technically not doing anything wrong or illegal. But many officers use their authority to make you feel compelled to respond to them. They usually don't let you know that you're not obligated to tell them anything. But the man on the street recording with the cellphone was there to provide that reminder.

[tblue37]

29. Thanks. nt

[Talitha]

30. Awesome - - simply awesome!!!!!

[USALiberal]

32. I LOVE this!!!! nt