It has always been my understanding that in the United States of America, we are not forced to be deferential to those in authority That includes being respectful to members of the police or military. The young men in thus conflict may or may not have been in violation of the law, considering that skateboarding is a relatively dubious crime, but they are not forced to address the officer by his name-dude is not an insult or a curse. My understanding is that if you do curse an officer, they may not like it, but even that is not against the law. In Nazi Germany you were forced to be subservient to the authorities. In Stalin's Russia you were forced to be subservient to authorities. In the United States, you are free to say and do what you like, short of threatening the officer. It is one of the freedoms that make our country unique. Is there no one to stand up for that freedom anymore? The officer in questions clearly violates his role as protector and defender of the public into an abuse of his authority. The public does not have to tolerate this violation of their rights, regardless of their age. To revere authority for its own sake certainly teaches the wrong lesson about our roles as citizens and the abuse of police authority that has become more and more accepted as we increasingly give up rights.

Incredible! To support this thug with a badge is inexcusable. Clearly this boy posed no clear or present danger to the officer. Abuse of authority and power by individuals in the public trust, regardless of who it is, deserves severe and immediate consequences. A reassignment to southeast and a 2 year long investigation while the thug continues on the job is why this kind of attack on Baltimore's citizens by police continues. Where there is no accountability, or consequences for your actions both the police and the criminals pose a threat to innocent citizens.

Officer Salvatore Rivieri believes he above the law.
He also has had number of run-ins with the kids at the playground at Fullerton elementary school in Baltimore County near his house.
My mid-teen nephew took his 7 year old sister to the playground and was just playing with her on the swings
Minding his own business in the middle of a nice summer day.
When Rivieri came up to my nephew and told him to leave the playground and that he did not belong there, that he was to older to be on the grounds.
He told my nephew that he was a cop and flashes a badge.
When my nephew did not follow Rivieri’s orders, Rivieri got in my nephew’s face.
My nephew called his mother (my sister) to the playground with his cell phone.
When my sister gone there, Rivieri was screaming in my nephew’s face.
My sister stopped and demanded to see his badge.
Rivieri refused to show his badge to her or give her his name.
My sister then called Baltimore County Police.
Rivieri at that point call my sister names and drove off in his car.
She gave the tag number to the county police.
The county police went to Rivieri’s house and have a talk with him.
He was warred not to flash his badge in Baltimore County and let go.
Rivieri claimed he was only trying to run off the drug dealers at the school
And that teens do not have right to be at the playground.
Rivieri really believes he is above the laws, even in Baltimore County.

Let's cut out all the crap here...at most this police officer is clearer a thug who has anger issues At least he was having a bad day and made mistakes.

As a skateboarder who grew up dealing with guys like this it's certainly effected my view of the police overall. Is this the example we want to set for kids who are supposed to respect and trust the law?

Rivieri or Baltimore PD : At least have the stones to admit you were wrong and apologize. It's not hard to do.

Lawsuits stink and cost money, but when guys like this are swept under the rug it's the only action one can take. If the Police could honestly monitor their own and could see what we all see and discipline this officer no lawsuit would be needed.

WELL-SAID Linda and Jim!!!
The scariest thing is that this pathetic thug is still wearing a badge and carrying a gun...

I think this "Officer" needs to lose his job. Thank goodness someone had a camera, although the camera operator obviously shut the camera off as "Officer" Riviera began to threaten him/her. Those of you who think it's a waste of money ought to be thankful it's not you he pulled over for driving too fast, too slow, or whatever else seems to bother this guy (maybe it's that hideous uniform they make him wear). NO ONE has the right to speak to anyone else the way this "Officer" did. I don't care what those kids said to him, as an officer he should be able to control his temper and his actions. He was clearly out of control. Putting this child in a head lock is WAY beyond acceptable. No, I am not a skateboarder, and that man should not be a cop... or is he a meter maid?

For years people like Mr. Rivieri have treated black and latino children like this and even worse. Thank you Baltimore for finally shedding some light on people like this. He is not an officer, because real officers act more professionally. Mr. Rivieri needs help.

Officer Salvatore Rivieri now works in the Bayview area. I live there and can tell you, that he has been a God send to this community. The little wanna be thugs in our neighborhood had really been out of control, but with Officer Salvatore Rivieri they seem to run the other way. And I know for a fact that the seniors in my neighborhood really appreciate this officer. So if you do not mind, we would like to keep him...

Fire this cop ASAP. he had no right to talk to these kids the way he did. To get respect you must give respect. Thought police wanted kids to respect them I don't have that happening. These kids did nothing wrong as long as they were careful not to run into people on the walkway. What would he have them do sell drugs on the corner or kill a fellow cop passing a test to join a street gang. This guy should be fired and lose retirement. Guess this will never be resolved.

david what the hell iam a skater for about a year now and i have been treated this way "mr."rivieri is a punk and a wanna be thug not skaters lets face it this"cop" if you can call him that is a thug he hits kids and trust me there is nothing i hate more in this world then a hipicrt like this guy i asked my uncle who happens to be a cop for over 20 years and i made him watch this video he pounded his fist then said "i wanna hit that guy!" cops like my uncle are the people who desrv respect all we skaters ask for is a little room to be us and do not say a skate park... that is a place that there is no cretiv vibs we cant do any thing in those places skaters need some here to have fun and not get hit by "cops" like rivieri and you will notice i did not captiliz "his" name i did that for a reson.