Should undercover police be allowed to stop and arrest people randomly?

Interesting case in Pittsburgh. Three (white) undercover cops spotted a (black) teenager walking down the street with what they thought was a weapon -- and what turned out to be a bottle of Mountain Dew.

They pile out of the car and order him to stop. He, seeing three people in plainclothes, does what I think any reasonable person would do and takes off running. They chase him down and beat him up while arresting him for aggravated assault, resisting arrest and escape.

So how is the average person supposed to tell the difference between actual plainclothes police and would-be kidnappers/robbers/etc. who start shouting "Police!"? Sucks that people impersonate police, sure, but it happens.

The teen in question, by the way, is an honor student and viola player.

 

And of course race had nothing to do with it.

With any luck there will be one giant lawsuit

 

it's about time someone did something about those damn viola players

 

I have a very hard time saying someone who runs from police is in the right.

I also have a problem with police just stopping someone walking down the street when they are not in uniform or easily identifiable.

 

And in my book, simply yelling 'Police!' isn't enough. I understand the benefits of plainclothes police work, but if your tactics have people fearing for their safety, then you need different tactics.

 

Usually the plainclothes guys look pretty rough.

Could a kid just ask them if he can, or if they can, call 911 to verify they are who they say they are?

 

Police in Pittsburgh don't know the difference between weapons and Mountain Dew?

 

Sure, "Could you stop beating the shit out of me so I can make sure you really are a cop?"

 

I'm guessing the beating was the result of the chasing.

 

This guy sees no problem with it:

 

Three cops who should be fired on the spot.
Police brutality at its worst.

 

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_663712.html

A beating like that is never justified.

But running from the police never makes a situation better.