The problem I have is your blind sweeping judgement against law enforcement in general. Yes, many are power hungry and corrupt. However, many many more are not. It would be just as wrong to say that all liberals, republicans, radicals, hippies, etc, act a certain way. It is just not the case. While I feel your overall cause and purpose is correct (protecting our rights, against big government for their incorrect ways), I think you are just taking the constitution and laws and twisting them to try to fit your own agenda, and especially in this case, being overly dramatic to get people riled up and to join on the bandwagon of “All police are bad, down with the police, etc”. Our police need to follow the laws, I agree with this. However, if the overall population start to feel as though they don’t have to follow rules or police officers.. our society is going to become a very scary place.

Freedom of speech is guaranteed and protected. However, just because something is a law and protected, does not mean it is always right. Everyone has the freedom of speech, yet personal decency and responsibility should come in to play. Just like those people from the Westboro Church who protest funerals. They have the RIGHT to do it, it is protected. However is it right? Is it the humane and just thing to do? Absolutely not. It is also our right to sit on a park bench or sit on a bench waiting for a bus. However, if an elderly person comes along, it is the RIGHT thing to do to offer the seat. Do you have to? No. It is your RIGHT. However, it isn’t always the right thing to do. I think many of what you say rings true, and there are many people who use their job titles in an incorrect manner. Many, however, DO NOT. That was part of this guys job. You were riding in the middle of the road at night, he did what he was SUPPOSED to do. If he started beating you or something, that would be different. He was asking you questions. Come on. In this case, you did break the law. The cop should have known that law, and stated that clearly and right away. I think to make your message more powerful (and to not look like you just hate cops and any authority), you should have handled it very differently.

You’re a police officer? How in the world were you able to pass a GED exam with an intellect of a potato? NY law clearly states that a citizen in public property does not have to display ID unless the officer has reasonable suspicion of a crime.

You just made a rant about how people should show their ID even if they are not under suspicion of a crime, so you are stating that you do not agree with this specific law, therefore you do not “like” it. And then you say “if you dont like the laws then get the fuck out of the country” But… You just said you do not like the very law we are speaking of and instead of you getting out of the country, Justin (Who completely agrees with what the law states) should get the fuck out? HUH? WTF? Where is your logic?

Please remove yourself not only from the U.S. but anywhere there is a civilized society. You would be better off in a jungle where you will find other unsophisticated primates such as yourself.

I have been harassed so many times by police (I live in Bronx, NY) and every time they violate my rights.

But you on the other hand, I have never seen anyone keep their cool like that. I mean there were times were I was just waiting for him to reach for the cuffs but you kept reasoning with him and protecting your rights to the very last minute. I cant say this enough, you are fucking amazing.

Do you have any suggestions on what to do/say when a police officer just pounces out of a vehicle and tells you to put your hands behind your back and immediately goes into your pockets (they do this very often here) without consent or probable cause?

I feel that what you are doing is quite couraeous and the police are completely ignorant, overbearing and inappropriate. They are perfect examples of what is wrong with all police forces in my opinion. The government gives them a badge and a gun and then lets them loose on the public. As a criminal defense lawyer for 37 years in NY, I am ashamed of them. The woman is completely wrong. The nature of their job is NOT to stop everyone and ask for their name and ID. They have no right to ask for such things without probable cause.

You did a very courageous thing to videtape the encounter. I wish there were more of your type doing exactly what you did. The police need to be challenged more, especially the jerky guy who was an obvious overbearing cop. He lost his patience at some point and acted like a complete jerk by threatening you.

I admire your courage in standing up to him. He needs many more people to challenge him. In fact, he needs to be sued and haul him into court for civil rights violations. I’m amazed that he allowed you to videotape the encounter and didn’t steal or destroy your camera as I’ve seen happen in other cases.

The dopey bastard needs to be given a crash course on the laws of NY state.

Good luck in the future. Keep up the good work. You’re doing exactly the right thing and they are not. I also think they should be sued by you using the videotape as evidence. You were detained improperly and illegally under the auspices of being “uncooperative” and that’s not appropriate under the law.

Just to clarify my skating protocol: I am a very safety-conscious skater, as I have pointed out. I have organized long skating journeys and cleared traffic plans with municipal and country authorities.

Three notes:

I was in fact wearing a bright-colored jacket with a strip of reflective tape on the back – definitely legal under NYS V&T law.
We do normally skate far to the right, but during the descent down hills during which we achieve traffic-level speeds, we move to the center of the right-hand lane, which is legal under NYS V&T law.
The area in question is a very well-lit village. I grew up there and had skated there just about every night for many years (even in the winter). The chances of my being less the fully visible are basically zero.

What you were doing was irresponsible and stupid. Although at the time it might have seemed like a good idea. With this in mind I think the officers should have arrested you for posing a hazard to the community. They definitely should have tested you for any kind of substance that would have lead to your amazing lapse in judgement. Of course you would have refused any testing so they would’ve had to keep you in jail overnight so you can sleep it off. When you argue that there were drugs in your system at the time of your arrest there would be no way to prove it either way. For the safety of the community they should have arrested you.

Another option here would have been to further extend you some courtesy. Simply give you a ride home, seeing as how allowing you to continue rollerblading would be a danger to yourself and those around you. It would be ridiculous to allow you to walk down that road at 1AM barefoot. Perhaps a ride to the police station where someone could come and pick you up or identify you. Win win right.

New York State Law

Title VII. Article 34: Operation of bicycle and play devices
Section 1234. If there is a bike/skate lane, you must use it. If not, you must skate as far to the right side of the street as possible so as to not interfere with traffic…(you were in the middle of the lane so it’s against the law) we “are” being overly dramatic and precise about his right.

Section 1238. Any child under 14 must wear a helmet when skating. This is a $50 offense, the ticket being issued to the skater’s parent/guardian. When skating at night, you must wear a jacket or other clothing with reflective material. (No reflective material, Law breaker)

This all being said Sir I admire you for standing up for your rights. I really enjoyed the video. I served in the Marine Corps to be sure that this country remains free and to protect your freedom to stand up for your rights.

Semper Fi