In some cases you have an absolute right to disobey police officers. I don't know the specifics of this individual case and what I read above is horrible, but it's a huge mistake that many people make to think just because a police officer orders you to do something you must comply. Many times, especially on traffic stops (I am talking about the UK because that's more my experience) police bark out all sorts of incorrect and sometimes illegal orders.
One obvious example of a police order you have no legal obligation to obey is if they ask for your name and address. I think this is the same in the U.S. (presenting ID) and the UK. Only if a crime is suspected are you required to provide this information. Still, police officers, who actually are not amazing at understanding the law, believe they can demand your name and address and you must give it. If you refuse, they will threaten all kinds of bullshit and try to escalate the situation to justify their own error.
Whenever a police officer in the UK has asked me for my name and/or address I flatly refuse. Sometimes they will get annoyed by this and try to push it, which is when you stay completely calm, keep refusing, and also whip out your camera for good measure. It's never got that far with me as the few times it has happened after a brief discussion the police moved on.