"Superior Court Judge John B. Conklin on Friday ordered Reedley to pay $8,160 to Reedley resident Bernabe Santillan because the former police officer's behavior was in step with his First Amendment rights, according to the judge's 10-page response.
"The court appreciates that the officers involved in the instant matter have a difficult job to perform," Conklin wrote. "Unfortunately, at times they have contact with individuals who may engage in behavior that is considered by some to be juvenile and obnoxious. The First Amendment, however, also protects such behavior."