Rock-paper-scissors victory over police spares young woman from ticket

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/apr/15/rock-paper-scissors-texas-police-young-woman-ticket

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Three Texas police officers are facing disciplinary action after sparing a young woman from punishment for underage drinking because she beat one of them at rock-paper-scissors.

The incident was uncovered after a short video of it went viral. The video shows the upset young woman – who was attending the music festival Chillfest – being clasped by her friends after evading punishment from Burleson County Precinct 2 officers.

Burleson County constable Dennis J Gaas confirmed the incident happened to local news station KBTX.

He also said that the three officers would no longer be allowed to work security at Chillfest. The precinct is also looking to determine whether further disciplinary action is needed.

Gaas said in a statement that their conduct was “unacceptable and unprofessional”.

“Officers are given the choice of giving a warning or issuing a citation for any violation they encounter during this event,” Gaas said. “Playing a game to see if a citation or warning is given does not fall under professional conduct.”

The Burleson County sheriff’s office said 44 people were arrested at the event, which featured performances by country musicians including the Eli Young Band, the Dirty River Boys and Sam Riggs.

While the rules of rock-paper-scissors – also known as paper-scissors-stone – are simple, the game is the subject of international tournaments hosted by the World RPS Society, which touts the hand game as a “safe way to resolve disputes”.

In 2006, US district judge Gregory Presnell ordered two Florida lawyers to play the game in order to resolve a legal argument over insurance payments.