Originally posted by Carrah
My objection to this incident is that the violence did not at all seem proportionate to the scenario in question. [/B]
The reason I continue to support the police in this situation is exactly this. Your assumption is exactly opposite of what I think is appropriate in 99.9% of the situations involving the police. You are assuming that there wasn't a reason for them to act.

My first thought is that depsite my less than fun experiences with the police in my life, I've never thought once (usually later, not during the event mind you) that I did not somehow put myself in a position for them to respond to me.

Police who absuse their office, "get their rocks off" on being a pain, or have some sort of inferiority complex is not as common as people think. I mean every night on TV and the like you see corrupt cops, but most of these guys are normal joes who like the idea of being a good guy.

As for the rest of your thoughts, I suspect they do check ID's on the way in. Or they have a swipe card system like they did at three of the four universities I've attend. But regardless, if you look at the time frame for the events, this is 11:30 PM. I suspect secruity is not always perfect and at that hour they know their are higher risks. So asking students at that hour doesn't seem unreasonable to me.

Also, a taser does not knock you out. It really is more like a billy club. While I have never been tassed, I was a teenage boy and with fun friends. I've seen it in person. The way it has been described as being kicked in the chest by something. Its more like a baton in the sense it is meant to temporarily (a few seconds) shock the senses. Its a nasty piece of business, but in the end its small burn marks versus bruises and broken bones.