Yes he is out of uniform and in an unmarked vehicle. I'll give you that. But the biker was speeding excessively and doing stunts which in most cities is CRIMINAL.
Every criminal offense justifies a gun?
Furthermore, the fact that the biker is doing this crap on city streets by default is putting innocent people at risk. The Officer has a DUTY to keep the public safe from immediate serious harm. If in plain clothes or not he has that duty. I'm not saying that this gives the officer the right to stop people and jump out for the slightest infractions. But if someone is driving in a manner to put people in danger, he had every right to stop that guy. That bike is a freaking 600lb projectile!
He did not stop the guy, the guy was stopped. If he was half a cop he already had the plate number. Plenty of municipalities that do not allow their officers to pursue because it increases the risk to the general public. If the guy runs he does not run fast for long. He's going to look for distance then he's going to look to blend in by driving with the flow of traffic. Run his plate and pick him up at home later.
What if someone you loved got hurt because of some a-hole doing wheelies and hauling a$$ around town?
Then he deserves jail time. Considering he was cited and let go he it appears he committed a moving violation. Are you advocating the laws need to provide stiffer penalties for speeding? Mandatory jail time, say 2 weeks?
If anyone of you ACTUALLY paid attention, the biker started backing up as if to flee even BEFORE the cop got out of the car. Once again proving this guy needed to be stopped.
Ever heard the saying "driving a car is like having a loaded gun?"
As for the comments about cops dying. NO I don't have an actually study folded in my back pocket for such events. But I can tell you this. I've know enough cops that have died of heart attacks, have heart problems, or have committed suicide than I'd really care to discuss.
However, I did google it and this is one of the first links that came up
www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/pr/109485.pdf
Funny, it's a study about cops dying at an average of 4-5 years after retirement.
There were many other links to studies. Read them or STFU!
Seems to me like this would be a main factor the cops union fight for such good retirements.
I'm not sure if the above link worked. But google it for yourself.
Oh, and as for the hardcore criminal that isn't afraid of cops. Well he doesn't give 2 **** about you or your family as well. But you might, after you become his victim. You see when there is no fear of consequence this is what you end up with. A repeat offender and a menace to society. It's getting worse and that's because people like you can't understand the concept that these people only respond to what they know. And that is fear, intimidation, and violence. NOT BULLYING.
You said one thing there that I agree with, fear of consequence. What consequence does pulling a gun create? Are you suggesting that officers be empowered to impart consequence at their whim? I don't think so.
v. bul·lied, bul·ly·ing, bul·lies
v.tr.
1. To treat in an overbearing or intimidating manner. See Synonyms at intimidate.
2. To make (one's way) aggressively.
v.intr.
1. To behave like a bully.
2. To force one's way aggressively or by intimidation:
Bullying is for the insecure and the weak. Yeah there are cops out there who like to throw their weight around for no reason. But there is a time and a place for everything.
Lastly, As for the cop sating he was "state police" withing a few seconds. Well, in an ideal world he should identity himself first. But like we all noticed, he was probably off duty, in plain clothes and in an unmarked car. Not in "police" mode because he probably wasn't on the job at the time. Could have it been better. Well, there is always room for improvement and I'm sure you guys don't do your job 100% all the time. And you're not under this stress.
Lame excuse. When he decided to pull in front of this guy and exit his vehicle to enforce the law he consciously went right back on the job.
So until you've had to show up on stabbings, gun shots, drive by's, seen people disemboweled, see kids killed, raped, abused, watch your friends die and commit suicide at your job, try and not be to critical of the cop who may be the next one to save your A$$.