Long time lurker here that enjoys reading the threads much more than being involved in the conversations. I did want to give a perspective from someone who retired from law enforcement two years ago with 25 years on the job, 6 years as a training officer, 13 years as a street supervisor in a city of over half a million.
I have not read (beyond this thread) what happened with Hill on the traffic stop nor have I watched a video. But the gist of it from what I gather is he was stopped for a driving infraction, he was angry/upset, would not keep his window (tinted) down and ultimately removed from the vehicle and was taken into custody. If that is incorrect or I am missing key points I'm sure someone will let me know
First let me say that traffic stops are the most dangerous and potentially deadly encounter for law enforcement. It is an unexpected meeting by a citizen and PD. According to FBI statistics it has the highest probability of going bad. I want to weigh-in on signbabybrady's comment of something to the effect that if there was clear and present danger why did the officers recklessly rush the car (I have not seen a video so I have no idea how they approached).
First I would say sometimes hard to tell if the windows are tinted and how dark if the officer was following from behind and observed a violation. But lets assume they did notice the windows are dark tint. If the traffic stop is not a felony stop (multiple police units, guns drawn, bull horn ordering everyone out of the vehicle one at a time, hands out the window) then the officer has to as safely as possible make an approach to contact the driver. We don't want to make every traffic stop like a felony stop because the public does not deserve to be treated like that. If as I approach the back of the vehicle I would be yelling to the driver to roll down all the windows I want to see what's going on inside (is there more occupants, what are they doing, do I see any weapons). Without writing a book here on what to do if they do A,B,C. Lets assume that he opened the windows and our conversation was not pleasant, he is angry and not very willing to comply with my directions (request for drivers license, registration and proof of insurance) but ultimately he complies but continues to complain and be agitated. As I indicate to him that I'm going to step back to my car to run his information that he needs to keep his windows down for both of our safety he states he is not going to do it and will roll them back up. That's a problem because I will giving up my view of what's going on in the vehicle and have to go through that process of regaining that ground, its just not safe or prudent. I do not know about Florida law but in my home state PD has the right to remove every person (and detain anyone suspected of criminal activity) from the vehicle during the encounter if they can articulate a safety concern and/or the situation does not allow the officer to continue the investigation.
I don't want to judge the actions of the officers (any contempt of cop?)but I learned in my career that sometimes you may need to do a little extra to avoid the complaints and to get compliance. That as PD just because the law allows you to do certain things there may be a better approach to getting an acceptable outcome. Treat everyone like you would want your family members treated if they were stopped by PD. Most stops will be the first contact with PD, be patient with them. And for the citizen.......There is a time and place to complain about an officer and their actions, its never down the barrel of a gun.
Sidenote...... $%^& Tyreek Hill and go Pats!