Was this a justified draw?

[GTRUCKER]

Motorcyclist is lucky he isn't black...or a dog.

Or a nurse.

[danhr]

Not enough information from the video.

Obviously the part that was played makes the officer look bad, but the reckless driving, which provoked the officer, mysteriously wasn't recorded? I mean how transparent is that?

I bet if he just did 70 mph through a school zone, a lot of people would change their opinion.

[PA86]

This definitely could've went bad quickly...the way he just snuck up on him with his gun drawn already (and held against his stomach like he's trying to hide it)....

I chuckled when I saw this in the text on the video, but wasn't expecting to see it here.

Its called retention position.

[libra8]

I just read he was suspended. It didn't say if it was with or without pay.

[ett]

I just read he was suspended. It didn't say if it was with or without pay.

[rwilson452]

I just read he was suspended. It didn't say if it was with or without pay.

More than likely with pay. Unions you know.

[Berncly]

Not really my area, but here's my $0.02.
There are a few things going on here.
As was mentioned, the firearm position is consistent with training for a close-in encounter, so it's a non-issue.
The fact that he approached unannounced and unidentified with the weapon drawn is an issue.
It looks to me like a guy that has had too many motorcycles zip away at 100mph, and he was trying to prevent that, but went about it incorrectly.
I think that he wrongly assumed his lights were visible, and that his badge was visible clipped to his right pants pocket.
But the camera angle shows that the biker cannot see the lights in his mirrors while standing upright, and he can't see the badge due to the officer's position.
The lack of citation or report after he drew his firearm is problematic, and it makes me believe that at some point the officer realized that he did something incorrectly.
It would have been better to get the license plate number first in case the biker fled, and then use the siren to get the biker's attention for a traffic stop.

[Jhaydeno]

In the state of Washington there's also an ongoing debate about the legality of traffic enforcement in unmarked cars. The way I read the law it looks to be illegal as well.

[Bang]

Unless vehicle code specifies only marked units may enforce, it comes down to if the motorist pulls over and stops for the unmarked vehicle, and the officer displays badge of authority upon approach on foot, the motorist is then on notice that it is a police officer and should conduct him/herself accordingly (not drive off and attempt to evade).

If the vehicle is unmarked, the motorist should not be prosecuted for failure to pull over. Some departments advise the public to drive to a safe area, preferably a police station, and pulling over where other people are present. If they have a cell phone, dialing 911 and asking if they are aware of the unmarked and the present stop is known to them is a good idea.

The officer suddenly appearing, plain clothes, gun in hand pointed at the cyclist needs disciplinary action and additional training. He could have been shot...if not by the cyclist, then by a nearby armed citizen mistaking the armed cop for an armed robber or hit man. Suddenly facing a stranger brandishing a hand gun has potential that the cyclist would take the hell off outta there. If that cop planned to shoot if that happened, when he caused the cyclist to flee to safety, he would have been shooting the unarmed cyclist in the back if he hit him, or surrounding vehicles and occupants. The entire scene has no redeeming qualities.

[cham09]

I chuckled when I saw this in the text on the video, but wasn't expecting to see it here.

Its called retention position.

Good to know, never seen that or heard of that before (Im not a cop, and haven't been taught that in any of my classes). Thanks for the info.