Cops Pulls Gun on Motorcyclist

[JDPEagle]

I know a lot of you have seen this clip, and we have a few LEOs on the forum. This clip concerns me for a few reasons, but mainly, if I were in the position (minus the reckless riding), my first instinct would be to defend myself.

Cop Pulls Out Gun on Motorcyclist

Notice that the "officer" pulls his unmarked vehicle in front of the motorcycle, emerges with a gun in his hand and shouts "get off the motorcycle" several times before making physical contact with the rider. Only then does he mutter "state police." The officer is lucky to be alive in my opinion.

 

[Jonas]

I know a lot of you have seen this clip, and we have a few LEOs on the forum. This clip concerns me for a few reasons, but mainly, if I were in the position (minus the reckless riding), my first instinct would be to defend myself.

Cop Pulls Out Gun on Motorcyclist

Notice that the "officer" pulls his unmarked vehicle in front of the motorcycle, emerges with a gun in his hand and shouts "get off the motorcycle" several times before making physical contact with the rider. Only then does he mutter "state police." The officer is lucky to be alive in my opinion.

If there is not more to the story. Such as "Someone on Red Motorcycle just robbed someone". Then that cop was trying to set the guy up. Why come with his side arm out? A badge may have been a good idea.

 

[HDDon]

I hope there is more to the story than just a motorcyclist having an unmarked car pull in front of him/her and than approaching without identifying himself as a police officer with weapon drawn. Without knowing who is approaching me and that person is armed, I'm thinking this would not have a good outcome for one of us as I am licensed to carry. I am very respectful law enforcement, but I would think a badge out and the officer identifying themselves would have been sufficient.

 

[HeartlandProducts]

I think in the video he shows that he was going 120MPH+?

He also had a marked patrol car behind him as well. Looks like the cop may have pulled the gun because the guy started to back up, maybe they assumed the guy was going to make a run.

A lot of unanswered questions here.

 

[captkirkis]

I hope there is more to the story than just a motorcyclist having an unmarked car pull in front of him/her and than approaching without identifying himself as a police officer with weapon drawn. Without knowing who is approaching me and that person is armed, I'm thinking this would not have a good outcome for one of us as I am licensed to carry.I am very respectful law enforcement, but I would think a badge out and the officer identifying themselves would have been sufficient.

Couldn't agree more!!! :x I also saw a clip of that from a news channel and they said it's illegal to video/audio tape the police!! Personally, I don't see why I shouldn't be allowed to tape them.....They tape us with their dash cam's, but we can't tape them!?!?!?!?:no It makes me very angry,:devil not that I do this stuff but, the fact that more and more of our rights and freedoms that I personally have fought to protect,:small3d022: are being taken away daily..... Just really gets :newsmile03:me ticked off!!!!:x Sorry for venting...:newsmile017: Anyway this clip is the news clip... :57:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_685990&v=izegE5fF7pA

 

[Jonas]

There is more to the story. This is crazy not to mention the bike rider is a member of United States Military.

YouTube - Man faces jail for recording out of control cop

 

[JDPEagle]

I think in the video he shows that he was going 120MPH+?

He also had a marked patrol car behind him as well. Looks like the cop may have pulled the gun because the guy started to back up, maybe they assumed the guy was going to make a run.

A lot of unanswered questions here.

It is clear (and rather undebatable) that the rider was operating the vehicle in a reckless and careless manner. That point aside, I cannot think of ANY reason a non-uniformed officer in an unmarked car should EVER act in this way. Identify with a badge... not a gun!

Brandishing a weapon in any event which does not immediately warrant doing so (danger of life) is foolish... especially in a public place (the officer's "excuse" is lame... a backing motorcycle is threatening???). I don't care whether you are a LEO or not. This officer could have easily been killed by either the motorcyclist defending himself and his property, or a passing motorist who thought that they were witnessing an assault. Both of these scenarios could have been defendable!

Ironically enough, the rider paid the fines and plead guilty to the charges; however, he never pressed charges against the officer or even filed a complaint. Instead, the department choose to harass the rider for posting a video of a "public official" acting in the authority of the "public trust." Smells of a "cover-up" to me.

I respect the law... and no one should be above the law... especially if the "people" sign your paycheck.

Reckless behavior + a power trip = disaster.

Just my $.02.

 

[dbmg]

I understand that there is disagreement as to how this may have been handled. BUT... A guy on a sport bike show boating down the highway recording so he can have his claim to fame on You Tube. One catch he was caught breaking the law. Who knows maybe he was clocked at 150 mph and the first officer called for back up for what has this guy has done to be traveling that fast. All of this coming from a guy whose back ground deals with laws and rules. Maybe it was best that he was not armed for he probably would have lost the fight. The fact he looked to the rear he knew the State Police were after him. I believe the bigger disappointment is another bad rap for those "no good motorcycles which should be outlawed."
Just my thought.

 

[Mavagrand]

My opinion as a LEO of 19 years. Admittedly, the video is short and a lot still has to come out but here is my take. First off, this was not a "traffic stop" in the classic definition. The UC officer actually blocked the rider off at a traffic light. Had the UC officer been behind the guy trying to get his attention? Unmarked cars do have strobe lights and sirens installed.

The fact there is a marked car directly behind the motorcycle leads me to believe he had clearly been riding recklessly and had drawn the LEOs attention, justifiably (his own video shows numerous violations). Now when I see someone riding this way, I have to ask myself why. Is it just youthful exhuberance? Is it drug induced? Or has he committed a crime and now fleeing the scene? I can tell you, even with 19 years experience, I have no way of knowing what someone's motive is until I make contact with that individual.

Now having said that, I see nothing wrong with the officer drawing his gun. Yes, the M/C is initially backing away from the officer which is no threat. However, had I been that officer my concern would be the rider backing up until his bike hit the marked unit and then accelerating toward me to get away. A 500 lb motorcycle accelerating towards me is a threat. The officers gun was kept pointing down and never pointed at the rider. I will concede he should have immediately identified himself as law enforcement and his badge should have been visible.

Now charging the rider with a felony...absolutley not. It was obvious he had a camera on his helmet, not unreasonable to expect to be recorded via both audio/video.

and by the way, it's illegal in Florida to audibly record ANYONE without their knowledge, not just a LEO.

 

[Jonas]

I understand that there is disagreement as to how this may have been handled. BUT... A guy on a sport bike show boating down the highway recording so he can have his claim to fame on You Tube. One catch he was caught breaking the law. Who knows maybe he was clocked at 150 mph and the first officer called for back up for what has this guy has done to be traveling that fast. All of this coming from a guy whose back ground deals with laws and rules. Maybe it was best that he was not armed for he probably would have lost the fight. The fact he looked to the rear he knew the State Police were after him. I believe the bigger disappointment is another bad rap for those "no good motorcycles which should be outlawed."
Just my thought.

I did see him look back a couple times. I did not see any emergency lights. He passed and was passed by the same car three or four times. He was riding fast, but did not look all that crazy to me. I do not think he knew the cops were behind him. His 120 was before he saw the cop in medium. Where does the line get drawn. I speed sometimes, I do not exspect someone to cut me off and jump out of their car with a gun because of it. It is just not right, and then for the guy to face a five year prison sentence because Maryland SHP is embarrassed. He had a camera mounted to his head, he was recording everything the cop just happened to be there. It's crazy to me.