This is beyond reproach... To serve and protect my ass, this officer should be fired

[JazMerkin]

Seriously? I reckon this kind of thing probably happens all the time only the ordinary guy wouldn't get let off of his ticket after complaining.

I don't believe this would be the first time something like this would have happened, it probably goes on all the time in countries all over the world.

If the 'victim' was smart enough to go to the papers it could become a good story. It would at least get a day or two of media coverage, just depends whether it snowballs or not. I agree it probably does go on, but the fact it happened to a famous football player meant it was more high-profile. Also the race thing is actually unimportant. You're right if it happened to Lyle it wouldn't register, but equally if it happened to me it would DEFINITELY not register, even in spite of the facts I have contacts in the media. In the words of Chris Rock, "this shit ain't about race, it's about fame".

Yeah you're probably right, its just if it was a white guy there wouldn't be the assumption that the cop was acting a dick becuase of race. The colour of the participants surely plays a role in the intereperation of a story in the media and amongst the public.

I genuinely believe if this had happened to an ordinary person the police would be defending their officer and challenging the story but becuase it happened to a celeberity and significantly a black celebrity they are hanging their officer out to dry and trying to distance themselves from the shitstorm as much as possible.

Nope, its because they're learning how to read the public, and they've realized 90% of the public will think that officer was out of order & scumbag. If the story broke & it was about an average joe, they would do the same. Its all about the reaction of the majority, and most of the views on here represent how most people would feel in general.