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British: Don't Mess With USA Police

HISTORIAN THROWN TO GROUND, CUFFED FOR JAYWALKING

Police say a British historian was handcuffed, thrown to the ground and jailed because he refused to obey a uniformed officer's order to use a crosswalk and wouldn't show identification.
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Police USA Mess Dont British

The problem with this one, is that the Historian is right in saying that in Britain we wouldn't be expecting to see a Police Officer in a bomber jacket, and that the Police Officer in the US was annoyed that the Historian asked for his ID, whereas, here in Britain we are encouraged to ask any person claiming to be an official their ID, to stop fraud.Also, here in Britain there is no such crime as 'Jaywalking'.. you are free to cross the road where you like, when you like, whether the lights are on red or not. You'd be pretty silly to do so, but the choice is yours.

In part, I think that differences in culture could be partly to blame, however, the fact that the Historian at present is residing in the US, I find it hard to believe that he had never come across a Police Officer before, since living in the States.
Part of me leans to believing that the Historian could have been trying to prove a point, only my opinion, of course!

Edited: DianeC on 11th Jan, 2007 - 2:13pm

British: Don't Mess With USA Police History & Civil Business Politics

I think the historian knew he was a police officer since the guy is in the middle of the street directing traffic. I think he just did not want to follow instructions and based on DianeC explanation, in England you can cross wherever you want so he tried to do the same thing. He was foolish because he almost got in trouble with his immigration papers. Unwise move.