I just got around to watching that video and was pretty disgusted with what I saw. Maybe he had a bad day, and was full of frustration, the kids should not have been skating in a no skating zone, just like i shouldnt be driving at 35mph in a 30 zone (which I NEVER do! that would be wrong) but does that mean I could be 'beaten the xxxxx out of'? I hope not! If I was man handled like that boy then I dont think I would have bahaved as well as he did - all credit to the kid, though did he know the filming was happening?
From the vid the kid didnt pose an immediate threat but was manhandled anyway which is wrong. I work with the police in my job and usually they are helpful and want build good relationship with young people and build a relationship based on
mutual respect, sometimes there is no respect or understanding on either side which is infurriating. That kind of behaviour just makes young people hate authority in that form and assume that all police are megalomaniacs (like boarder dave eluded to - its tough to get passed it). If it was a clip of a cop with another minority group then I think more people would find it more abhorrent but cos its a kid its not so bad.....just a bit out of order so there wont be any unrest in the local society - they are just 'punks' after all. Like isaluteyou said, I havent seen the whole turn of events, but im rubbish at refraining my comments.......ooooh there's a whole rant building up inside me but this post is already longer than I intended.
Greg - I hope your ankle gets better
p.s. (cos I cant help myself) I was caught speeding by the police, I got myself caught inside an overtaking zone which was quickly running out. I put my foot down to get out of the situation and get passed the car. My driving looked dangerous, I accepted that but stood by my reason for doing it, I overtook in small area and got caught out, in order to get out of the situation I put my foot down (if both cars put on the breaks and hesitate it becomes more dangerous - that was my thinking anyway). I was pulled over, the police officer seemed to enjoy giving me a good telling off, on some points I disagreed with him and was vocal about - essentially I "backchatted" him - I prefer the term
"opening a dialogue".

Did he grab me round the neck? no! cos he didnt need to, just like the guy didnt need to in that vid to that kid.