Re: how to make $40k quickly
I think we missed a key point here. It's not a legal requirement to sign the ticket. There for the entire basis of removing him from the vehicle is 100% wrong. Further, until he is actually placed under arrest (and again, I never heard him tell the man he was under arrest), once the ticket is given, the officer has no basis to hold the driver. So, from the stand point of everything after the ticket was handed to the driver, the officer was in the wrong.
HOWEVER-
It was a very bad idea on the driver's part to put is hand in his pocket. Also, he should have just went along with what the officer wanted. Given there was no basis for an arrest, had the officer made the arrest without an objection by the driver, the driver would have had an easy win on a false arrest case... possibly even a tort case. Would have still won good money, but wouldn't have had the pain of being tased.
They really do both look like a couple of knuckle heads. But, had the officer conducted himself correctly, this would have ended with "sir, we ask that you sign, but there is no requirement under the law- just follow the directions on the ticket and keep your speed down".
Also, I have to agree- officer's approach was very Lackadaisical; he makes himself a good traget.