I tend to be very supportive of police officers, including in the most controversial of circumstances. Most officers do difficult, dangerous work confronting unpleasant individuals. But sometimes there’s just no excuse for police behavior.

Such is the case of Boulder, Colo., police officer John Smyly over his interaction with Zayd Atkinson on March 1st this year. Video of the incident from Smyly’s body camera shows him detaining Atkinson without reasonable suspicion and then harassing the man. Atkinson, a student at Naropa University, was picking up trash outside his residence. Smyly politely (at first) asked Atkinson to prove he was a resident. After Atkinson showed a student ID and then asked if he had to provide more information, Smyly persisted in his questions.