Just read in today's paper that the "kid" had managed to get his hands on the policeman's balls after being cuffed. Certainly explains the policeman's actions, which seem mild, all things considered. The policeman defended himself with a great deal of restraint, imo.
I'm not a cop, but I believe police training here in Mobile involves placing choke holds on subjects resisting arrest. There was a case here a couple years ago, where a 25 year old man was running around the streets downtown naked and under the influence of PCP. He sucessfully fought off five officers for awhile even after being cuffed (this guy was in good shape), and managed to kick one officer in the head, breaking his jaw. Police finally subdued him with a choke hold, but unfortunately, the man would not give up his struggles until he died on the spot.
My point here is someone wearing handcuffs could still be very dangerous and capable of inflicting injury. This kid who grabbed balls made that decision of his own accord, and imo, received relatively lightweight treatment by being face slammed on the hood of a car ( which ain't like being slammed on concrete...the car hood has a lot of "give"), and punched in the face. It may not have been professional of the police to react this way, but probably was a darn sight more humane than using a choke hold, which is professional and could have resulted in the kid's death, especially if he was on something like PCP.
Les