Dumbed down: What's wrong with the cop waiting to see if she takes an exit? It's not like she's getting away or something.
Also, the reason why many states allow civilians to slow down and put their hazards on until they can find a safe place to stop... It's not to protect the civilian...its to protect the police officer because many have been killed in that situation by other motor vehicles that just didn't see the vehicles stopped. Just as importantly, that act of slowing down and putting on your hazard lights is a signal to the police officer that you will soon stop in a safe location... Police officers (especially state troopers) across America are trained about that particular situation. I know a state trooper that was almost killed in a situation like that when it resulted in a multiple car pile up after the person had saw the sirens behind him and came to a complete stop in the middle of the damn freeway. Just as importantly, many state troopers know the situation and will just "follow you for awhile" before putting on their lights / sirens until you're in a safe location to stop. It's very clear the cop was poorly trained (excessive force) and extra polite after he realized what the fuck he had done. wrbtrader
You're being too kind. No human mind requires special training to see she wasn't fleeing. The cop wanted to do the PIT maneuver, either for practice, or for fun, or most likely, both. Remember the cop on video laughing while he told coworkers about how he dislocated an old lady with dementia's shoulder? This sort of rogue cowboy police work happens everyday, across the country.
Right! And yet we have geniuses in this thread: "THERE WAS A SHOULDER! SHE COULD HAVE PULLED OVER!" Dumbed down for them: Even with a shoulder, the speed differential and the close proximity--despite fancy flashing lights--makes it always dangerous to be on the shoulder next to fast moving vehicles. I would have thought this to be a no-brainer.
It's a no-brainer for drivers who know the law. Most often, drivers do not. Here's Arkansas law for "moving over"... 27-51-310. Passing authorized vehicle stopped on highway -- Definition (a) As used in this section, "authorized vehicle" means a vehicle that: (1) Displays a flashing, revolving, or rotating blue, red, amber, amber and red, white, or green light; and (2) Is one (1) of the following: (A) An emergency response vehicle; (B) A law enforcement vehicle; (C) An Arkansas Department of Transportation vehicle; (D) An Arkansas Department of Transportation contractor vehicle; (E) A utility company vehicle; or (F) A vehicle used in a towing operation as defined under § 27-51-904. (b) (1) Except as provided under subdivision (b)(2) of this section, the driver of a motor vehicle that is approaching an authorized vehicle that is stopped or parked on a street, road, or highway or on the shoulder of a street, road, or highway shall: (A) Move to the farthest possible lane or position from the authorized vehicle; (B) Remain in that lane or position until the driver passes the authorized vehicle; and (C) Otherwise exercise due caution. (2) If the driver determines that it is unsafe or not possible to change lanes as required under subdivision (b)(1) of this section, the driver shall: (A) Reduce the motor vehicle's speed; (B) Exercise due caution; and (C) Maintain a reduced speed appropriate to the street, road, or highway and the conditions through the area where the authorized vehicle is stopped or parked. In other words, the woman should have just pulled the fuck over, let the officer approach her, and let the LEO determine if they can conduct the traffic stop safely there, or move to a safer place.
You'd be a scholar if we were talking about "moving over." Maybe watch the video and read the thread first.
Agree... Now imagine how he would have written up his police report had the woman been killed in the crash via the result of the "pit maneuver". We wouldn't see the dash cam video for several years and the report would have stated she was "fleeing at high speeds", "danger to others on the road", "driving reckless" and so on. Video turned over only after the cop retired with a full pension. This isn't rocket science...a traffic violation and you're no threat / not using your vehicle in a threatening manner to endanger the life of the police officer or other civilians does not merit the cop to use the "pit maneuver". They actually have training to follow the vehicle closely and then only put their flashing patrol lights / sirens on when they reach a safe location for the vehicles to stop...that's the meat of the situation. Yet, how polite the officer was after using the "pit maneuver" on the freeway (not a side street) without running over to her with his firearm pointing at the vehicle and demanding the occupants to get out with their hands up... Very telling...he knew she wasn't a threat nor fleeing. He only put that out in the audio because he knew his dashcam video was on and he's trying to justify what he had done. wrbtrader
I did watch the video. That's why I commented with what I did. Think about it. Maybe the cop didn't know the "move over" law existed, and that probably most people follow that law?