"... asked me in a commanding tone ..."

[Odessa Dawn]

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"Student: Yes. I had just purchased a cup of tea from the snack vendor in the train when the police officers asked me in a commanding tone to show them my identification. I wanted to know why, but got no real answer, so I refused."

More: Interview with Plaintiff of Racial Profiling Case in Germany - SPIEGEL ONLINE

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Does asked me in a commanding tone mean that the police officers misused power or behaved as if they were masters?

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[HanibalII]

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"Student: Yes. I had just purchased a cup of tea from the snack vendor in the train when the police officers asked me in a commanding tone to show them my identification. I wanted to know why, but got no real answer, so I refused."

More: Interview with Plaintiff of Racial Profiling Case in Germany - SPIEGEL ONLINE

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Does asked me in a commanding tone mean that the police officers misused power or behaved as if they were masters?

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No. It means they sounded stern/expressed authority. It should not be confused with domineering/superior.

Although honestly, it is strange they 'asked in a commanding tone'. Usually if you speak in a commanding tone, it's not a request, but more of an order that doesn't broach objection.

To me, it would've sounded better if a more emotional word was used. Such as 'demanded' or 'requested'. Those coupled with the 'commanding' tone would provide better depth. But using 'asked' leaves it open to rejection.

Just my thought.