Video is inconclusive at best. Based on it alone, it does look bad. It’s important to separate emotion from rational argument though. I think the fact that he screams like a little bitch makes harder to analyze without emotion.
I read a few witness accounts and I got a different perspective.
I heard that they do routine and systematic ID checks at the library. It was past 10, which is when I think they restrict access to students and faculty only.
This kid is a 4th year student. He obviously knows about the student ID checks. He apparently had his ID, but refused to show it to library workers or campus security, who are considered to be on the lenient side and have a very good reputation. The campus security guys (who are just students?) informed him they would call the UCPD who are also considered quite lenient. It’s one thing to say “I’m sorry, I forgot my ID (which he didn’t since he had his ID on him)” and it’s another to say “no” and act like an asshole.
Bottom line: I think the kid wanted to make a scene.
That “patriot act” thing is complete bullshit and has absolutely nothing to do with this (but I think every rational poster realizes this). He refused to comply even though he was asked over and over to do so. When he started making a scene people started crowding around.
The situation became more urgent for the cops since large crowds are generally stupid and people don’t like authority. The kids demanding the officers’ badge number did not help. The cop were busy.
They could have gotten information after the altercation or the next day from the police department. Suddenly you have an angry mob against two officers.
As far as using a taser, I don’t think they ever used the prongs. It wasn’t set to max. I understand (correct me if I’m wrong) that depending on the voltage used, it causes temporary paralysis and once you stop the current, you regain motor skills and are quite pain free.
If this kid managed to writhe around and spew abuse at the cops before and after being tasered, I think he had ability to comply and “get up” or at the very least (if he couldn’t move for whatever reason" tell the cops “I can’t move/I can’t get up”.
Although painful, the taser doesn’t cause permanent damage at submaximal voltage. He would have woken up the next day feeling a lot better than if he had been dragged out or manhandled. That’s my nonexpert opinion.
He was given more than one opportunity to show his ID/leave by library staff, campus security, and police and refused. He verbally abused the cops. He got what he was looking for (attention) and got what he deserved.
By the way, I heard he plans on suing the UCPD or file some lawsuit based on discrimination (and NOT excessive force or the way he was dealt with). I don’t know if this is true though.