Has anyone else seen the entire Rodney King video? Does anyone know what the Use of Force guidelines and laws were in CA at that time?
Prior to the Video you mention.
Rodney King was speeding in excess of 100mph, under the influence of alcohol (around .2 [twice the legal limit] when the whole situation unfolded) and refused to pull over (Toxicology reports proved no PCP was not in his system). He then stopped, got out flashed some fingers at the cops. Got back in his car and proceeded to exceed 100mph again. King later admitted in court, that he attempted to outrun the police at dangerously high speeds because the charge of DUI would violate his parole for a previous robbery conviction. They took his BAC fives hours later, after he was arrested and it was just under the Legal limit.
So no, that part of the video doesn't exist. He was also resisting arrest while still under the influence of alcohol. The "video" starts as he is tazed for the second time. What would you have done? His two passengers weren't even charged and gave no resistance while being restrained temporarily on the scene.
"Use of Force Continuum"
The Office in Charge of the scene ordered weapons holstered, long before that video even started.
It was followed to be honest:
Verbalization — Force is not-physical. (This went out of the window when he got back into his car and sped away with intent to evade)
Officers may increase their volume and shorten commands in an attempt to gain compliance. Short commands might include "Stop," or "Don't move." (Pretty sure before he flipped off the 5.0, verbal commands were used by the LEO's and his passengers. Comments would have been "WTF are you doing?" or along those lines.
Empty-Hand Control — Officers use bodily force to gain control of a situation. (This was used prior to the video)
Soft technique. Officers use grabs, holds and joint locks to restrain an individual.
Hard technique. Officers use punches and kicks to restrain an individual.
Less-Lethal Methods — Officers use less-lethal technologies to gain control of a situation. (This was used to no effect as well as Empty-Hand)
Blunt impact. Officers may use a baton or projectile to immobilize a combative person. (Oh he was combative and charged Officers a couple of times and LEO's aren't too receptive of that. They also tried a couple of times to hog tie him and finally succeeded)
Chemical. Officers may use chemical sprays or projectiles embedded with chemicals to restrain an individual (e.g., pepper spray). (I have never seen a report or heard of this being used, but it wouldn't have mattered)
Conducted Energy Devices (CEDs). Officers may use CEDs to immobilize an individual. CEDs discharge a high-voltage, low-amperage jolt of electricity at a distance. (I doubt the tazers back then were as quality as they are today. Also, they are still know to be fickle at times.)
The only thing left is to use Lethal Force. So are you implying they shouldn't have holstered weapons?
Fast forward from 1993 to the present. Convicted of DUI, running into his wife with a car, a couple more Reckless Driving charges and even another DUI in 2003, after he ran a red light, refused to pull over (there seems to be a pattern here) and ran into a house IIRC. In 2011, he was cited for Driving without a License and later skipped the hearing, so that was added to him being arrested for Reckless Driving in 2012. He drowned after a night of drinking, snorting blow and puffing weed. No sympathy for him here.
I am trying to wonder what angle you are looking for here? Comparing Rodney King to the video from the OP, is pointless and a straw man reach at best. Portions of a City were burned and Reginald Denny took a brick to his head point blank, all because a drunken idiot resisted arrest after breaking countless Misdemeanors and a couple of Felonies in one night. "Use of Force Continuum" is your hill to die on?
Semp. Correct and Thank you. Three Veterans and myself questioned the authenticity. Valid points were made/discussed, some went at length and in great detail. If the video IS real, then I apologize.