I think these kids got what they deserved. They were not following the LAWFUL orders of the officer, they weren't staying back when the officer told them too, and they were just asking for it for how they were talking/acting. These kids need to learn some respect for authority...and yes skateboarding IS a crime in many places because of all the damage caused by skating.

They were not following the LAWFUL orders of the officer

So anything the officer says or does is lawful, including deadly assault?

These kids need to learn some respect for authority

Perhaps they would have, had not the officer decided to act as prosecuter, judge, and jailer on his own. As things stand now, I doubt the kids will have much respect.

and yes skateboarding IS a crime in many places because of all the damage caused by skating.

Well, that certainly justifies the punishment administered by the officer.

In emergency medical protocol the first rule is "take your own pulse! (what shape are you in?)This officer is out of control! So he is in no shape to make valid law enforcement decisions! Choke out a minor for a misdemeanor? Thank god he survived!If you loose control over some "skater punk /dude" you have no place in having a weapon for deadly force!

As SCOTUS Justice Brennan said: “The freedom of individuals verbally to oppose or challenge police action without thereby risking arrest is one of the principal characteristics by which we distinguish a free nation from a police state”.