Was the officer's conduct acceptable in the video showing his interaction with the Virginia police?

Yes his conduct was 100% acceptable. He did nothing wrong. In fact, police often encourage citizens to pull over into a well lit area if possible, even when being pulled over by the police. There are instances of people pretending to be police as well.

Even if they claim they didn't see the temporary tag in his rear window in the cruiser, they'd have seen it when they got out. So there was no need to go up to him weapons drawn. No need to pepper spray. He was 100% right to say "Can I unbuckle my seat belt" because had he not, they probably would have shot him. Then that cop saying "you're gonna ride the lightning." That cop was looking for a reason to do something.

Also getting release with no charges or a citation - and the one cop got fired. The cops were wrong. He did nothing more than be a black man in a brand new car.

Was pulling over and cooperating fully with the police, being completely deferential in a desperate attempt not to be shot for being the wrong skin color acceptable conduct for an Officer? Yes. It's pretty much expected for enlisted as well...

Considering that the military officer was released at the scene and was not charged, coupled with the fact that the police officer was fired after the internal investigation, I can't fault the young Lieutenant. I probably would not have reacted the same way, but then again, I have never faced being pulled over and treated so suspiciously like that.

The 2LT was absolutely right. Those two cops were ABSOLUTELY wrong.

Straight from the top...

Having watched the full video, the Lt conducted himself as well as could be expected in a crazy situation like that. The initial officer is relatively new to the job and pulled him over for not having a tag. The temp tag is clearly visible in the rear window but considering this started on an unlit roadway it is possible he couldn't see it at first. The LT drove to a well lit area for both his safety and theirs and considering how this went down the well lit area allowed the video to be clear and showed everything that happened warts and all. A senior officer responded because the first cop escalated the call to high risk. The biggest issue is the contradictory commands being shouted by both cops. The LT froze in place because one cop is screaming keep your hands in view and out the window while the other is screaming to exit the vehicle. He can't do both at the same time and also reach down to unbuckle his seat belt. They were jacked up and as soon as he brought his hands down to his seatbelt somebody could have fired thinking he was reaching for something. The best thing he did was freeze in place.

The senior officer escalated this situation and kept threatening the LT.
I have always disliked Virginia Law Enforcement because there has always been a negative vibe towards Military. They go out of their way to harass and punish military members. This is an example of that.

An internal investigation was kicked off immediately because they knew this was a bad stop. The Senior cop on the scene was fired and this LT is probably looking at a wealthy settlement because nobody wants this to go to trial.

As pointed out, someone with complete information on the scenario and administrative authority fired the police officer in question. The Department probably got very lucky and was able to avoid a potential bigger problem in the future. Case closed as to who was in the wrong or right. The officers were acting in accordance with the luxury of training and the use of deadly force. The 2LT was flying by the seat of his pants hoping the guy with a gun wouldn't twitch his trigger finger.

Let's stir the pot:

I think many here are failing to acknowledge the tiny town of Windsor only has a few cops. I am absolutely certain the selection and training process of a new military officer in any branch of the DOD is astronomically higher than the quality of selection and training for a town with only a few cops, for a job that only requires a high school diploma, and no felony or violent misdemeanor convictions.

After a review the officer was fired. I think the Lt was appropriate in his actions. I think the police officer over reacted. I consider the police ff er completely out of control.

Not in my world. What was the offense? Was it a violent felony? Why did they have their guns out and pointed at him?

First and foremost, the Police Officer acted completely irresponsibly, he entered false information in the Police report (that the LT was trying to evade), he had some very bogus reasons to conduct a felony style stop, and ultimately should have been fired.

That said, the LT did not help matters in this case. When you are pulled over, you should comply with the Police Officer's orders, regardless of the fact you believe you have done nothing wrong. You have no idea why the officer might have pulled you over. A vehicle like his may have been identified in another crime for example in which the Police might have been told the individual was armed and dangerous. His actions were perfect all the way up to the point where he continued to constantly question the officer's need to have him step out of the car. Ask yourselves this question, as military members, would you have done the same as the LT in this situation and not get out of the car as instructed? I wouldn't.

This makes me wonder as well, with all the pressure and spotlights being placed on our nation's Police. The standards they have to live by is incredibly high, in which many outstanding officers are stepping down because there is little recognition from many in their communities of the challenges they are faced with. Is this in essence forcing the Police to hire or even promote less qualified candidates? Is is affecting the leadership within the Police Departments by causing many to retire early as they don't want to be caught up in some misconstrued mistake? In the past, virtually every politician would rightly state; 1. Due process is essential, let the investigations pan out and do not overreact before we know the facts. 2. Becoming a Police Officer is a call to service and they should be given respect for that service. 3. Initially I am inclined to trust an officer, especially when all I know between an Officer and those which they arrest, is that the Officer entered into a service bound by an oath to protect and serve. As I learn more about the individuals who challenge the Police and the facts leading to what they did, my faith in that specific Officer may change but never the institution of the Police.

My rule of thumb, follow the instructions of the Police, don't make their job harder, if you think they are being irresponsible, record their actions, and ask witnesses to do the same (ask if they have their own camera on). Instead we are watching people who are clearly breaking the law, resisting arrest, and threatening Police Officers get the benefit of the doubt, expecting the Officer's actions to be 100% perfect. My fear is that fewer and fewer people will want to be Police Officers and the quality of our Police will suffer even more. This is why despite the poor actions of a very select few Officers should never lead us to disparage or disrespect the institution of the Police and the sacrifices they make everyday trying to protect us all.