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In NPR's reporting about the dash-cam video of Sandra Bland's arrest that was released by Texas police, Yale Law School professor Tracey Meares raised the idea that the video showed an example of "contempt of cop."

Bland is the woman who was pulled over in Texas for failing to signal a lane change, was arrested during the traffic stop and later 

Sandra Bland video shows an argument with police officer

Meares said the officer's strong reactions to Bland's question about her traffic stop were his attempt to assert authority in the face of disrespect. But, Meares said, it's not justified:

We discuss the "contempt of cop" phenomenon and why it so often leads to physical altercations, like several that have made national headlines in recent months. 

Some questions about the Sandra Bland case

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A law professor said the Texas officer's strong reactions to Sandra Bland's questions during a traffic stop led him to assert authority in the face of disrespect.

'Contempt of cop' and the arrest of Sandra Bland

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