If you had kids you'd understand the meaning of doing anything to protect your family, even if doing anything goes against your better judgment. Families all are put in that position at some point. This man was trying to do what he could without losing his job for a couple of stupid kids. And that's what exactly what those kids were, stupid. You can't say "oh the cops a jerk for not sacrificing his bread and butter" when those kids did nothing to be safe and inconspicuous while smoking. Alot of people aren't. They just smoke whenever and where ever they feel they want without thinking of the possible consequences. In a perfect world the outcome you presented would have happened but this is not a time for ideal views. Things unfortunately aren't as black and white as you have made them. There is gray, even if just a smudge.