WHO: San Jose police

WHAT: Demonstrating the power of citizen videos, a cell phone recording of police officers hitting an unarmed college student with batons and a Taser has led to a criminal investigation. At least one baton blow appears to have landed after the student, Phuong Ho, was handcuffed.

WHY IT HAPPENED: Police were called to Ho’s dorm at San Jose State University after the 20-year-old got into a fight with one of his roommates. Another roommate filmed the resulting arrest and then gave it to an attorney and media outlets.

WHY IT’S A BAD IDEA: If attorneys can demonstrate Ho was struck after he was handcuffed, experts say that would likely constitute police brutality.