# 12-year old kid pwns a Las Vegas cop **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 7, 2013, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-year-old-kid-pwns-a-las-vegas-cop/657705 "2013-05-07T15:16:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-year-old-kid-pwns-a-las-vegas-cop/657705/21 "2013-05-07T18:55:34Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > Agreed. The officer might have been vaguely wrong (and for all we know he might have/ had a legitimate reason to park there), and the boy was essentially a smartass. > > Nothing really interesting, really wrong, or really worth either congratulations or blame on either side. I’m really surprised that people aren’t recognizing the kid was being a smartass or that they think police officers should be treated like that as a matter of course. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-year-old-kid-pwns-a-las-vegas-cop/657705/22 "2013-05-07T18:57:54Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > It just says that people with common sense are cautious around guns. Cops are supposed to be trained to not shoot anyone who gets on their nerves, even if they are an irritating smartass. The fact that you don’t think they can be trusted not to discharge their firearms willy-nilly (and the fact that so many people agree with you) says a lot about a lot of things. ---
**Author:** ![Tequila\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a6a055/32.png) [@Tequila\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tequila_Party)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-year-old-kid-pwns-a-las-vegas-cop/657705/23 "2013-05-07T19:54:12Z")
I would hope _any_ adult, especially one in a position of authority, could behave with more restraint towards something transpiring in public and on camera. When the police give a press conference about some long sought after murderer that’s been captured, no matter how they _feel_, they don’t act like petulant tweens. If this guy had humored the kid, gave him his badge number, and moved on, we wouldn’t be discussing this now because it wouldn’t be “news.” I also can’t believe the kid is being described as a smartass. Annoying and a bit big for his britches? Sure, but so are most _people_ (even more so kids) when they believe they are right about something and others are blowing smoke up their ass. It wouldn’t have cost him anything not to be condescending. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-year-old-kid-pwns-a-las-vegas-cop/657705/24 "2013-05-07T19:59:13Z")
Sounded to me like the kid was coached beforehand on the wording of a phrase or two. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-year-old-kid-pwns-a-las-vegas-cop/657705/25 "2013-05-07T20:04:47Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > Cops are supposed to be trained to not shoot anyone who gets on their nerves, even if they are an irritating smartass. The fact that you don’t think they can be trusted not to discharge their firearms willy-nilly (and the fact that so many people agree with you) says a lot about a lot of things. I don’t think cops just shoot smartass kids anymore than anyone else does. He’s just another guy with a gun to me, and that means I’d be cautious around him. You don’t know when anybody might snap and do something stupid. And a cop in general can make your life miserable if he chooses to for some reason. Hopefully the kid learns that before he meets a cop who is a real asshole. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-year-old-kid-pwns-a-las-vegas-cop/657705/26 "2013-05-07T20:07:35Z")
I find it depressing that anyone is defending the cop. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-year-old-kid-pwns-a-las-vegas-cop/657705/27 "2013-05-07T20:24:37Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > I find it depressing that anyone is defending the cop. In 27 posts, I don’t see one that is. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-year-old-kid-pwns-a-las-vegas-cop/657705/28 "2013-05-07T20:40:20Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > In 27 posts, I don’t see one that is. Post #6 - statements of defense: > [@](#): > > He was just asking the kid a question; no raised voice. Furthermore, not everyplace has a requirement that a policeman has to show his badge. No he shouldn’t have parked on the sidewalk, but the video doesn’t really show where he parked. The kid may have been a smartass. The cop was clearly trying to intimidate the kid with his questions. It did not work. This cop sucks. A good police officer would have engaged the kid in a short conversation about why he has to have his bike very close to him in case of emergency. He could have made an ally. Instead, he just confirmed to the kid that some cops can be enormous ego-driven douchbags. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-year-old-kid-pwns-a-las-vegas-cop/657705/29 "2013-05-07T20:44:45Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > I think the idea of “he could’ve gotten himself shot” says something disturbing about the general opinion of police culture (meaning the culture OF police departments) in America, if nothing else. Howso? I know in the US there is a paramilitary attitude among the police that tends to attract authoritarians and bullies to the vocation (not all of them are like that obviously, but people like that are drawn to the job), but I would assume this is a problem with military and law enforcement the entire world over. Are there nations where the police really are more or less public servants across the board? This seems to go against human nature. And that kid was in no danger of being shot. Arrested for a trumped of crime, yeah that is a real risk. When the cop was asking ‘are you loitering’ he was looking for some trumped up charge to arrest the kid on. Cops use loitering, disorderly conduct, assault on a police officer, etc as generic ways to arrest people they don’t like. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-year-old-kid-pwns-a-las-vegas-cop/657705/30 "2013-05-07T21:13:25Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > What was the kid gonna do with the badge number, anyway? Issue a citizens arrest or something? Let’s waste more city time and taxes. > > The kid was a \*fucking Troll. \* This. The kid is a troll, who’s probably got troll parents who instructed him that this was an appropriate way to behave, in order to teach cops who’s boss. Those of you who are suggesting that the officer should have used this as some sort of teaching moment honestly believe that the kid would have said, “oh, I understand sir, I’m so sorry for being an asshole”? You can’t reason with trolls. The “do you have ID” question from the officer was dumb, but refusing to get into a dialogue where he has to justify his behavior to a citizen trolling for a fight is exactly the right thing to have done. ---
**Author:** ![marup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@marup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marup)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-year-old-kid-pwns-a-las-vegas-cop/657705/31 "2013-05-07T21:24:58Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > This. > > The kid is a troll, who’s probably got troll parents who instructed him that this was an appropriate way to behave, in order to teach cops who’s boss. > > Those of you who are suggesting that the officer should have used this as some sort of teaching moment honestly believe that the kid would have said, “oh, I understand sir, I’m so sorry for being an asshole”? You can’t reason with trolls. The “do you have ID” question from the officer was dumb, but refusing to get into a dialogue where he has to justify his behavior to a citizen trolling for a fight is exactly the right thing to have done. This. The kid was obnoxious and IMHO it was obvious he was put up to it. Yeah, the cop could’ve handled it differently, but I can just imagine being tired, hot, and just wanting to get on with my day and then having to deal with the junior sleuth. Ugh. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-year-old-kid-pwns-a-las-vegas-cop/657705/32 "2013-05-07T21:29:25Z")
I don’t see the cop being pwned. I see a cop, getting some coffee and kid who thinks he is the next Geraldo. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-year-old-kid-pwns-a-las-vegas-cop/657705/33 "2013-05-07T21:33:13Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I didn’t really see any bullying either, but he wasn’t doing his job well. And the kid sounds like a smartass too, I predict his attitude will change the hard way. In the mean time give the cop a slap on the wrist. I saw no bullying either. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-year-old-kid-pwns-a-las-vegas-cop/657705/34 "2013-05-07T21:41:01Z")
Agree with the previous four posters. There aren’t very many people who would react kindly to having their job performance questioned by a pre-teen boy. ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-year-old-kid-pwns-a-las-vegas-cop/657705/35 "2013-05-07T21:45:12Z")
I’ll be honest anytime I see a thread started by a serial cop-basher I’m inclined to not even open it, but I gave the video an open-minded review. The cop could have behaved differently, but I don’t actually think he had an obligation to do so. The kid was a dick, and the cop was short back to him. Could anyone elucidate in what way the police officer acted improperly or unprofessionally? He is not an educator or someone with an obligation to explain the world to annoying children. An argument can be made maybe the cop should have gone “above and beyond” and calmly explained the intricacies of departmental policy, officer discretion and etc as to where he can park his vehicle but I don’t think you can say that’s mandatory behavior for police nor should it be. Not unless you think anyone who receives a government paycheck has various vaguely defined societal obligations above and beyond their actual job description. To my knowledge, you **do not** have some vast generalized right to get identification/badge number from a police officer universally. That’s going to come down to departmental policy, but most places there needs to be some valid reason to ask for a badge number. If I see a police officer standing a corner or working security at an event I can’t just walk up and ask for their badge number in most places just because I want it. Usually there has to be some reason to actually need that information, like the police officer has stopped **you** for questioning or etc. I doubt many departments citizens have a universal right to demand badge numbers from any police officer they want because of how they’ve chosen to park their vehicle, when the police officer has not initiated any contact with anyone and is not detaining anyone or even really using their police power whatsoever. The officer’s questions of the boy were never anything more than questions. The boy stopped the officer, not vice versa. The officer **asked** if he had ID, **asked** if he was loitering. He did not issue commands, he didn’t demand to see ID, and most importantly he in no way had initiated any form of custodial stop. So his asking questions also involves no use of his police power and is no different from me asking a random person on the street for their ID. Finally, there is a good chance police have some discretion in how they park so they can respond in a timely manner to emergencies. And many times police will also look the other way if private citizens park illegally to do things like make deliveries or etc. Even a motorcycle parked on the sidewalk in front of a business would probably get a warning if the officer saw the rider, with the officer telling them not to do it next time. So the kid was picking a pretty weird thing to start a fight over. ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-year-old-kid-pwns-a-las-vegas-cop/657705/36 "2013-05-07T21:52:03Z")
What a misleading thread title. A kid with a camera walks up to a cop, obviously filming, and starts asking obviously coached questions. I wouldn’t be too impressed if I was the cop either. Maybe if the kid wasn’t obviously looking for a youtube reaction the cop would have been more genial and open to talking to the kid, but clearly the kid was trying to trip him up, so I can understand him being a little snippy. I expected the cop to have tried to arrest the kid going by the thread title, instead he just looked a little grumpy and did sweet fuck all to the kid. Big deal. ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-year-old-kid-pwns-a-las-vegas-cop/657705/37 "2013-05-07T22:05:36Z")
Two men enter, one man leaves! Two men enter, one man leaves! ---
**Author:** ![panaccione](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-year-old-kid-pwns-a-las-vegas-cop/657705/38 "2013-05-07T22:37:03Z")
Kid’s got balls. Other than that, I’d call it a draw. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-year-old-kid-pwns-a-las-vegas-cop/657705/39 "2013-05-07T23:19:37Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Post #6 - statements of defense: D’oh! :smack: I stand corrected (yet remain seated, go figure 😉 ) And to think I edited that post to _make it wrong!_ ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-year-old-kid-pwns-a-las-vegas-cop/657705/40 "2013-05-07T23:37:16Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > I’ll be honest anytime I see a thread started by a serial cop-basher … Let’s back off of referring to others here with names such as this. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-year-old-kid-pwns-a-las-vegas-cop/657705.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-year-old-kid-pwns-a-las-vegas-cop/657705.md?page=3)