Mid-summer in Baltimore, Maryland, a police officer was caught on tape verbally and physically abusing a 14-year-old skateboarder downtown.  Thanks to massive video distribution on YouTube, the officer was suspended today with pay pending an internal investigation of his actions. 

"The police commissioner, the mayor and the top command staff saw the video and are disappointed," said Sterling Clifford, spokesperson for the Baltimore City Police Department.

"I saw the tape. The officer handled the situation so poorly. It is very clear this is unacceptable," said Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon.

Interestingly, when the boy's mother attempted to file a complaint with the officer's supervisor, she could not as he was away on vacation and was told the supervisor would call her back.  Later, she complained to other officers that she never did receive that phone call. 

While it may be standard procedure to suspend an officer with pay while he/she is being investigated, this type of "disciplinary action" where a person takes a leave from their job while being paid is called a vacation everywhere else in the world.  And what is there to investigate?  The three minute tape shows everything one needs to see to make an immediate determination of suspended without pay and/or demotion.