Based on the dashboard video, it's my impression that the PO woke up on the wrong side of the bed that morning. Hey, it happens sometimes. In trying to "move" granny out of traffic, as he claims, he shoved her which caused granny to spiral out of control.
I've never been an LEO, so I can't say this or that about any of it. It's a tough gig and the cops who do their jobs day in and day out deserve much more respect and courtesy than they actually get - especially from cranky grannies who have their panties in a wad and snotnose kids who deserve an asskicking.
All the same, it's my impression that the cop overreacted. Tasing the woman was probably overkill. I don't think he was in any physical danger (except from a passing motorist - for some reason, I always expect some asshole to come careening from out of camera toward the cop and the motorist on the street, thereby flattening them both).
In this case, I agree with Thor. The cop should've just annotated the ticket that she refused to sign, and go on his way. There never would've been a physical confrontation had he done that. The cop has the training and the wherewithal to keep situations in perspective - I think he failed to do that in this case.
The Sergeant Major was protecting his subordinate - that much was plain to see. Made me wonder if this particular cop had had similar trouble in the past.
