Why is a passive observer, who uses his cell phone to film 5+ cops subduing a perp - a SOB? How can any rational person justify that the observer be attacked by a gang (if the gang happens to work for a police department - is that somehow ok?).
If the cops want to act like a unruly gang - treat them like an unruly gang. Felony assault for everyone involved, and let them serve time like anyone else.
The 'what-if' scenerio holds no water at all. "What if" you get a gun? "What if" you go on a shooting rampage? Why, let's prevent you from ever getting close to owning a gun. What if you record a cop raping a woman, what if you edit that film? What if you decide to sell dope? What if ....
Bottom line - the Police work for US, they answer to US - we don't answer to them. If they are operating within the realms of the law, within the professional realm in which they are trained - any filming of them will only go to re-inforce their actions.
O my, i didn't want to give you the impression that I think the cops should get away with this. However, the power to film is the power to distort, as a look at tonight's newscast will demonstrate. I merely think that the cops ought to do a better job of filming themselves, so that reasonable people can compare and contrast the many versions any street encounter is sure to engender.
any filming of them: Disagree.
The right of the people to film THEIR cops at work is paramount, if they stay out of the way ... however, I would prefer the whole story . Give me civilian film AND cop film.