He asked the Customs officer to say, “please” and what he got was pepper spray on his face.
A Canadian driving in to the US of A was told by a Customs officer, “turn off the car”. The Canadian said, “please”, wanting the officer to say “please turn off your car”. The officer repeated it thrice and thrice the Canadian said, “please”. The officer got wild and sprayed pepper spray right on his face. He became partially blind in pain – the officers grabbed him by the neck, threw him face down and handcuffed him. He was detained for three hours.
The US Customs spokesman's clarifications were more surprising.
1. The incident illustrates the importance of obeying lawful orders from uniformed officers, on the border or anywhere else.
2. Inspectors routinely order the driver to shut off the car, rather than give the person a chance to zoom off and endanger someone. It's a lawful verbal command.
3. The obligation in this situation is on the traveller to obey those commands.
But why couldn't the officer simply say, “please”?
Don't our Customs officers look like angels?