Quote:
Originally Posted by Trollheart
Anyway, as to what power unarmed police have other than violence: I'm sure they're told to use violence as a last resort.
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But, the point is that they do have the right to use violence as a last resort. It's where all their authority rests on. When the police pull you over for a traffic violation, there is an understanding that if you don't stop they have the power to physically find a way to stop your car, and if you continue to resist, they can shoot you (or physically restrain you, which won't be done with a pillow fight). If they give you a ticket, you then have to show up in court. If you don't show up to court, they put out a warrant for you, and will then arrest you. If you resist, they can and will use violence to subdue you. In any conceivable situation, no matter how unlikely, ultimately they have the power of violence over you. If you a police officer steps on your foot, you can tell him to **** off, but you can't push him like you might be able to do to someone else, because you are then assaulting a police officer, and then you will be arrested, blah, blah, blah.