Police SURPRISE Entitled Drunk Threatening Staff 2 Days After Missing Flight | Bodycam Analysis

[00:00:00]Put your hands out your pocket.

[00:00:01]>> Your hands out.

[00:00:02]>> We gave you plenty of chances, dude.

[00:00:07]>> Waiting for my >> I know, but we were asking you to wait.

[00:00:11]Okay.

[00:00:13]>> No, no, no, no, no, no.

[00:00:15]>> Now you're going to jail.

[00:00:17]>> A missed flight became a criminal matter in under 10 minutes. The reservation was voided. 2 days expired. But the traveler at the United Counter had a different plan. What followed tested whether a police officer's patience could outlast a man's worst night to back up. I am going to tell you back to >> everybody.

[00:00:49]We need to back up.

[00:00:51]>> No, I need I need to get I need to go back to New England.

[00:00:55]I live where I live.

[00:00:57]>> All right. Can I Can I talk to this uh guy real quick? What What's your name, man?

[00:01:02]>> I haven't done nothing to you. I haven't done nothing to you. I'm literally just trying to board my plane and go to sleep because I'm about to fly almost 2,000.

[00:01:13]Did you notice that you just like you just told me her up? Did you not just tell me to get out of your face?

[00:01:21]>> I don't give a I don't give a damn about her. I got I got I I I have a whole No.

[00:01:26]Get >> Come over here. Come over here and talk to Talk to my partner.

[00:01:30]>> I don't even know her.

[00:01:31]>> All right. What What's your name, man?

[00:01:33]>> No. Stop.

[00:01:34]>> What's your name?

[00:01:37]>> She She's not going to want to talk to you, man. That's why we got called out.

[00:01:40]>> Okay. Yes, sir.

[00:01:41]>> Take a step back. Take a step back. Take a step back for me. And what's your name, sir?

[00:01:45]>> I'm I'm Bryce. Smith. If I was going to her up, I don't give a damn about her. I really don't.

[00:01:51]>> Okay. So, >> I just want to get I don't even know who her name from Sam and Sam. I don't care.

[00:01:56]>> You don't have any weapons or anything like that on you, do you?

[00:01:59]>> No, I don't.

[00:02:00]>> Go ahead and turn around. Let me rescue you real quick. Make sure you don't have any weapons. Make sure we >> I don't have anything.

[00:02:09]>> How's How are you going I'm sorry. Where are you flying to?

[00:02:16]>> To me.

[00:02:20]M >> where? Right here. Right here. Where do I put my bag? We'll move your bag over here close to me. Let's talk over here.

[00:02:27]Here's the deal. What's your name? I don't know what to call you. What's your name?

[00:02:31]>> Uh my name is Bryce, but I go by I I go by Brooks.

[00:02:34]>> Brooks. Okay. So, Brooks, here's the deal. United. Well, we'll shake hands when everything gets sent down.

[00:02:39]>> No, I I didn't know if you were trying to or >> Oh, no. No. So, United has denied you a flight today.

[00:02:44]>> Yeah, I didn't.

[00:02:45]>> I don't care.

[00:02:46]>> Well, here's the deal. Um, you said you're flying to Maine. What what part of Maine are you flying to?

[00:02:51]>> I live I live in Oldtown. I live in northern Maine.

[00:02:54]>> Are y'all Are y'all were funding his ticket?

[00:02:57]>> He never paid for He never paid for >> Oh, he never he never had a ticket. He was getting ready.

[00:03:02]>> He start He started off with this young lady back here. Um he was upset with her because she kept telling him he didn't have a flight for today. So he gives her her phone his phone. She pulls up the reservation. Reservation is for the 28th.

[00:03:16]So, as she's telling him that, he's like, "No, you're going to put me on plane today." So, she calls me and say, "Hey, I think I got a red light." So, she comes over and then when I walk over there, then he goes, "I'm not a red light. I'm not intoxicated. Why would you say that?"

[00:03:27]>> Oh, you know what that was?

[00:03:28]>> I'm like, "Yeah." I'm like, "How you know?" I'm like, "How do you know what a red light is?"

[00:03:30]>> Damn. We didn't even know what a red light was. We're like, "What? What a red."

[00:03:33]>> So, that's what kind of was like, "Okay, so you know what you are then, right?"

[00:03:37]That's what I thought to myself. So, then I said, "Well, you know what a red light is?" And he's like, "I don't talk to her. She just needs to go away." I said, hair over there ring. I got it. So I started talking to him and then I asked him for she was ask was asking him for the reservation and he kept saying I don't have it. I'm like so you just showed her something on your phone.

[00:03:54]That's how she knows what day. So he gives me the phone and then I pull up the reservation. So I explain to him like your flight was 2 days ago. He was like >> showed up to that flight and got denied.

[00:04:04]>> He said no value. So that means he didn't show up. We mark it no value.

[00:04:08]That means he didn't show up.

[00:04:09]>> So when I said to him well you know now you're going to have to buy a whole new ticket cuz you're two days late. it's not a flat tire rule anymore. And so then he was like, well, my company will have to pay for it. How much is it? And I said, I don't know. So I went online to pull it up and then he started going at her again. She said, "Okay, at this point you disrespected my employees. You can take your phone and you can buy it online. Have a great day."

[00:04:31]>> He walked on the side of my counter and started saying, "You going to make me hurt you. Hurt you." So I'm like, >> "Oh, hell no. I ain't deal with this, bro." So I said, "Sir, I'm going to call the police. I'm asking you to please walk away from my counter at this time.

[00:04:47]I'm refusing service. Please walk away."

[00:04:50]He continued to keep going. So I picked up the phone and I called >> and then he continued with his little rant. Got you.

[00:04:57]>> And then he started coming around the counter again and I said, "Sir, I asked you three times to stay on that side. I want you to know that I'm not scared, but I need you to stay on that side."

[00:05:04]>> And then he was looking and the the guy that was standing next to him was like, "What is going on? Like what's happening?" And then you guys showed up.

[00:05:12]He showed up. It was kind of in his face a little bit, too. So, I just want to get out of here. And we >> trash.

[00:05:20]>> You know, making threats of physical violence towards other people is a crime, right? And you can go to jail for that.

[00:05:25]>> I understand.

[00:05:26]>> They're not wanting to press charges right now. But you've actually committed a crime that you could go to jail for.

[00:05:32]>> No. No. What I'm saying is, you know, you need like I I understand. I'm listening to what you're saying, you know. But the fact of >> I left everybody alone you I don't know their names >> but they had said not bother I don't bother anybody.

[00:06:00]>> All I can tell you is what they told me and I have multiple people telling me the same thing. So right now we're trying to figure things out for you. But at at this point with you being in talk listen just listen.

[00:06:14]>> You're not going to fly with any airline today the way you are right now. I can guarantee you that. That's based on my experience.

[00:06:21]>> You've threatened people and you've had too much to drink. My recommendation truly is to try to catch a flight tomorrow. Have no drinks. Come back sober tomorrow and try it all again. And then you're going to get home. But I guarantee you the way you've acted today, no airline's going to let your phone.

[00:06:41]>> That's just the reality.

[00:06:43]>> What's your name?

[00:06:43]>> Pat Nelson right here.

[00:06:46]>> So I can address you.

[00:06:48]>> Okay. I appreciate that. Your your mom is coming to get you.

[00:06:51]>> Perfect.

[00:06:53]>> Your mom is coming to get you. She's on her way. So what we're going to do is we're going to take you downstairs. Let you sit in the chair. She's she's going to when she picks you up, she's going to find other flights and have you fly out.

[00:07:02]She told me about the tragedy about losing your dog. You guys are both but the the the important thing right now is just to get you where you're not stumbling around or you know we get you where you can pass the TSA checklist because they're more strenuous on checking people than the ticket counters here. Okay. So your mom agreed that's the best decision to make.

[00:07:23]>> Okay.

[00:07:24]>> What did y'all talk about? just talked about solutions for you. And the solution we came up with is her coming from Round Rock and come pick you up right now. That's what she's going to do.

[00:07:34]>> Okay. So, let's go downstairs and bring your stuff downstairs.

[00:07:37]>> I'll grab her back.

[00:07:38]>> And once she picks you up, you guys go back to her house and you I'm over here.

[00:07:43]Once she picks you up.

[00:07:45]>> Once she picks you up, you guys going to find other flights. Okay. We'll get you'll get you booked another flight over there. I thought it was all >> I hate all of you. You hate all of us?

[00:07:56]>> No. I mean, I love all of y'all, but I hate all of you.

[00:07:59]>> Well, sorry. Sorry you feel that way, but we're just trying to help you out, man.

[00:08:02]>> Except for you, sir.

[00:08:03]>> All right. Well, I appreciate it. Let's make our way downstairs, and I'll grab your bag for you, and we'll get you taken care of. Your mom here, all that good stuff, and you'll get on a flight a different day. Just not today. And that might be for the best. It sounds like you've gone through a lot, >> right?

[00:08:17]>> This is his Those are the unattended bags.

[00:08:21]So, if you want to follow officer kid, we'll head downstairs. I'll grab your bag for you. Okay.

[00:08:27]>> Officer Kid right there. Just follow him. We'll show you the way.

[00:08:31]>> They ruin my life or cause this.

[00:08:34]>> Sorry.

[00:08:37]>> There is a legal boundary that most people miss in this situation. Under Houston v. Hill, a 1987 Supreme Court ruling, profanity directed at a law enforcement officer is protected speech.

[00:08:47]That principle does not disappear because an officer is personally offended. The arrest itself was legally defensible on public intoxication grounds under Texas Penal Code section 49.2. What remains legally unresolved is the promise that preceded it.

[00:09:02]>> Well, if you want to be completely honest, what caused this? Is he drinking?

[00:09:09]>> Who Who said I was drinking?

[00:09:12]>> No one had to tell us you were drinking.

[00:09:13]I could tell you were drinking. What?

[00:09:16]>> What? What do you mean by that?

[00:09:18]>> I'm I'm not going to debate the level of intoxication.

[00:09:22]If you want me to debate it with you, you can debate it on the back police car. For now, I'm cutting you a break.

[00:09:27]>> No, I just I just want to talk.

[00:09:29]>> I'm not going to You know that you're drunk. I don't have to explain to you.

[00:09:33]I'm sure they have. You're stumbling around. Your words are slurred.

[00:09:38]>> Can't say can't And I'm not trying to talk down to you.

[00:09:44]I'm trying to help you actually. Grab onto the rail so you don't fall. You lose your balance.

[00:09:49]>> What I'm asking is what what legends think.

[00:09:54]>> Well, let me Hey, here are your choices. Here are your choices. Hear me out. Do you want to sit in a chair over here or do you want to sit outside? Choices are yours.

[00:10:06]Stop treating me like I'm a criminal.

[00:10:08]>> If you talk to me like that again, I will take your ass to jail. Listen to what I'm telling you. Take me into jail.

[00:10:12]I don't >> Okay, I don't care either. Put your hands on your pocket. Put your hands out.

[00:10:17]>> We gave you plenty of chances, dude.

[00:10:24]>> I know, but we were asking you to listen. Okay.

[00:10:28]>> No, no, no, no, no, no. Now you're going to jail.

[00:10:31]>> Okay.

[00:10:34]Making me upset.

[00:10:35]>> Take a deep breath. Take a deep breath.

[00:10:37]>> My car's like this. I don't know why >> making it. All I wanted to do was just stand here.

[00:10:44]>> Listen to me. Listen to me. I didn't use sign language to you at all. Did I?

[00:10:48]>> No.

[00:10:48]>> I spoke to your mother. I found a way for you to go home safe. I understand that you lost your dog. Okay? I sympathize with you on that. We're trying to cut you a break. The last thing I need from you is to use file language towards me when I'm trying to help you out. You listen. Look at Look at me. Do you understand what I'm telling you right now?

[00:11:04]>> Yes, sir.

[00:11:05]>> Then why would you do that to me?

[00:11:06]>> That's not personal at all.

[00:11:08]>> I don't care if it's personal or not. I just >> You're responsible for everything you're saying.

[00:11:14]>> Yes, you sir. I don't understand. I'm I'm just taking some consequences for I just I don't know how to feel. I was supposed to fly out to my house.

[00:11:25]>> You're taking out on everyone, including the people that can take her. Like I said, you could have gone to jail for just what you said up there.

[00:11:32]>> I understand. Yes, sir.

[00:11:33]>> You have an ID on you? Where's your ID?

[00:11:35]>> I don't know.

[00:11:36]>> Okay.

[00:11:38]If you put me in the jail, I'm going to be pretty mad.

[00:11:40]>> Think I care about how mad you're going to get? Been on the job 21 years. Made a lot of people mad.

[00:11:46]>> Listen, here's here's what I'm going to do with you. I'm going to take you to a sobering center. It's not jail.

[00:11:51]>> You'll go to the sobering center. Your mom can pick you up from the sobering center. Okay?

[00:11:54]>> Don't do that to my mom, please.

[00:11:56]>> Okay? Well, I can take you to jail. She can pick you up from jail. Which one do you want?

[00:11:59]>> No.

[00:12:00]>> You're not stay You're not staying here anymore.

[00:12:02]>> I don't need to stay here.

[00:12:03]>> Okay.

[00:12:05]>> Have you ever seen an ID? No, he gave me a name. He told me Bryce Smith.

[00:12:14]>> No, you're not.

[00:12:16]>> Yeah, this anymore.

[00:12:17]>> You're coming with us.

[00:12:18]>> Listen, let me explain. Let me >> You're ruining my life.

[00:12:21]>> Let me explain to you where I'm taking you.

[00:12:23]>> You're ruining my life.

[00:12:24]>> Let me explain to you what I'm take where I'm taking you. Okay. I'm taking you to what's called a sobering center.

[00:12:28]It's not jail.

[00:12:29]>> I don't need that. I don't need that.

[00:12:31]>> You don't get choices. I don't give you choices. I'm telling you what I'm going to do for you.

[00:12:34]I give you a choice to pick my life.

[00:12:36]>> Okay, jail we go. It's going to be jail.

[00:12:39]>> If you don't get to pick my life, I'm the only one who pays my bills.

[00:12:43]>> Yeah, you can pay your bills when you get out of jail.

[00:12:46]>> No, stop.

[00:12:47]>> Don't Don't add a resistant charge.

[00:12:49]Don't let a resistant charge.

[00:12:50]>> Please don't.

[00:12:50]>> What is he saying?

[00:12:52]>> Just walk to the front of the walk to the front of the police.

[00:12:56]Wait.

[00:12:58]Try to be nothing but nice to you.

[00:13:00]>> What? What? What? What exactly are you saying? I was going to call your mother at the sobering center and give her the address and have her pick you up from there.

[00:13:06]>> That's what I was going to do for you.

[00:13:07]>> Okay.

[00:13:08]>> Can you just calm down?

[00:13:09]>> Okay.

[00:13:09]>> That's what I want you to do. It's not jail.

[00:13:11]>> Your mom's your mom's going to pick you up at a different location. She's going to drive you to her house. They're going to she's going to schedule you another flight. You come back and fly out.

[00:13:18]>> No criminal charges.

[00:13:19]>> No criminal charges. That's what I'm doing for you right now.

[00:13:22]>> Okay.

[00:13:22]>> Just just relax.

[00:13:23]>> Yeah.

[00:13:24]>> I got to take stuff out of your pockets because when I put people in the back of my car, I got to make sure they don't have any weapons on.

[00:13:29]>> Where where am I in? I'll take you to the sobering center. It's not jail.

[00:13:33]>> The what?

[00:13:34]>> The sobering center.

[00:13:35]>> Okay.

[00:13:36]>> Okay, that's it. When we get there, I'll call your mom, tell her the address, she'll pick you up from there.

[00:13:41]>> Is that okay?

[00:13:43]>> You have to cooperate with them. If you act the way that you're acting with us, they will not take you there.

[00:13:47]>> Yeah. Got to just I'm just confused because >> because you've been drinking, man. It's >> No, it's not that I've been drinking.

[00:13:55]It's just >> I I'm confused of where where am I going?

[00:13:59]>> Okay. I was going to leave you here, but this I was going to leave you here. You cursed at me. I didn't like that. So, I said, "Okay, I'm not going to leave you here. If you're cursing at me, you could curse at anybody else in here. I'm going to take you someplace else off site."

[00:14:09]Now, depending on how you act, when I'm transporting you to that place, if you start cursing at me again or acting bizarre in the backseat of car, I'm going to take you to jail. And there, they're going to keep you for anywhere between 8 to 12 hours. Sobering center, they'll keep you till your mom comes to pick you up. That's it.

[00:14:25]>> All right.

[00:14:27]We're just going to make sure that we're checking the handcuffs right now to make sure that they're they're fitted properly. Okay.

[00:14:40]>> All right. They're lock. They're not going to get any tighter on you. Okay.

[00:14:43]>> I mean, what do you think? I'm a [ __ ] criminal like an animal.

[00:14:47]>> No, that is what we do with everybody, man.

[00:14:49]>> So, okay.

[00:14:51]>> I'm not going to let you go.

[00:14:59]Best way is to kind of face us and sit down. That's the easiest way. Okay. Just face me. Kind of turn towards me. This way. The other way. This way.

[00:15:09]>> And then kind of just sit down and we'll make sure you you don't fall anymore.

[00:15:12]Okay.

[00:15:12]>> Take these handcuffs off of me.

[00:15:14]>> We can't >> swing your feet. Swing your feet.

[00:15:16]>> You'll get them off when you get to the sobering center.

[00:15:18]>> I'm not a criminal.

[00:15:21]>> Why are you saying that? That's why we want to take you to the sobering center.

[00:15:24]Whether it's medical professionals taking care of you, that's it. It's not jail.

[00:15:28]>> Okay. Then why do I need to be like this?

[00:15:30]>> Because everybody goes in the backseat of a patrol car like that. Okay. That's our policies. We have to do ahead.

[00:15:38]>> Why are you doing this?

[00:15:41]>> Wow.

[00:15:43]Watch your back.

[00:15:44]>> No. Please loosen me.

[00:15:47]>> No. They get loosened this side.

[00:15:49]>> They're cutting into my wrist.

[00:15:50]>> They're not cutting into your wrist.

[00:15:51]>> Guess the I'm not I'm not take I'm not loosening them. Let's go.

[00:15:55]>> What? Stop. I My >> Let's go.

[00:15:58]>> You're going to have [ __ ] in my Give me my backpack.

[00:16:02]>> No, you don't get your backpack. It gets turned into property.

[00:16:06]>> Property >> as property.

[00:16:08]>> You're used to making demands. You can't make demands anymore. You're not in charge.

[00:16:12]>> You're not.

[00:16:14]>> Why? Why? Why? Why am I being so treated like [ __ ] >> Treated like property. This is your property. It gets turned in.

[00:16:24]>> No, it doesn't.

[00:16:26]>> I promise it doesn't.

[00:16:27]>> He was taken to jail.

[00:16:29]>> When a ticket counter dispute escalates and a supervisor calls police, the argument itself is not the primary legal exposure. The moment a person crosses the employee side of a service counter while stating intent to cause harm, the legal context changes. Under Texas Penal Code section 22.07, that movement combined with that language constitutes a potential terroristic threat. The criminal exposure begins not when the argument starts, but when the person moves. When an officer tells a person in a near custodial situation that cooperation will prevent criminal charges, that representation carries moral weight. It does not, however, carry the legal force of a formal prosecutorial immunity agreement. Oral field assurances can be revised by conduct during transport, by arriving facts, or by events the camera never captures. The protection in that situation is not the promise. It is the behavior that follows. When the impulse in a police encounter is to push back verbally, the legal protection often comes too late to matter in the moment.

[00:17:23]Houston v. Hill establishes that profanity directed at law enforcement is constitutionally protected. That protection, however, is vindicated in a courtroom, not at an airport departure level. The gap between a legal right and a practical outcome is exactly the space where compliance becomes the most tactical choice available. There is no footage of what happened between the airport and the jail that night. What the camera did capture was a man who came very close to going