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This kind of stuff happens all the time. Makes you wonder what happens when they know that there's not a camera rolling.
Simply put, there should be a federal law requiring cops to wear cameras in their uniforms 24-7s. And there should be federal oversight of police departments. Most officers are good, but what you have depicted in the video is a veteran cop who knows that he's breaking the law, knows that the charges are going to be thrown out, but is using his authority just to f*ck with someone legally.
This kind of stuff happens all the time. Makes you wonder what happens when they know that there's not a camera rolling.
Simply put, there should be a federal law requiring cops to wear cameras in their uniforms 24-7s. And there should be federal oversight of police departments. Most officers are good, but what you have depicted in the video is a veteran cop who knows that he's breaking the law, knows that the charges are going to be thrown out, but is using his authority just to f*ck with someone legally.
I agree - with everything except your assertion that "most officers are good".
This kind of stuff happens all the time. Makes you wonder what happens when they know that there's not a camera rolling.
Simply put, there should be a federal law requiring cops to wear cameras in their uniforms 24-7s. And there should be federal oversight of police departments. Most officers are good, but what you have depicted in the video is a veteran cop who knows that he's breaking the law, knows that the charges are going to be thrown out, but is using his authority just to f*ck with someone legally.
Can I get a summary? I have limited video access at the moment.
Appears they were on a public sidewalk in front of a hospital, the cop told the reporters to move across the street numerous times and they didn't. There appeared to be no reason why they should have to move. When they didn't move the cop said your first amendment rights can be terminated if you're causing a disturbance. They continued to stay after being warned again and they were arrested. Without knowing if in fact the sidewalk was public or if the cop had a good reason to tell them to move that is not apparent in this video I'll have to side with the cop.
Appears they were on a public sidewalk in front of a hospital, the cop told the reporters to move and they didn't. There appeared to be no reason why they should move. Without knowing if in fact the sidewalk was public or if the cop had a good reason to tell them to move that is not apparent in this video I'll have to side with the cop.
Appears they were on a public sidewalk in front of a hospital, the cop told the reporters to move across the street numerous times and they didn't. There appeared to be no reason why they should have to move. When they didn't move the cop said your first amendment rights can be terminated if you're causing a disturbance. They continued to stay after being warned again and they were arrested. Without knowing if in fact the sidewalk was public or if the cop had a good reason to tell them to move that is not apparent in this video I'll have to side with the cop.
Well, if you're interfering with official business, you can be hauled in. But standing on a sidewalk recording an officer isn't enough (by legal precedent) to be considered interfering with official duties. You have to be, literally or figuratively, in the way of an officer trying to perform his job.
The reporter and camera operator should have moved when so instructed. They can be charged with failure to follow a lawful order. “Failure to Obey a Lawful Order” is a misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine.
Officer Ward is correct, the First Amendment is not absolute. The press is not allowed to go where ever they please in order to obtain their story. The reporter and camera operator were on an island in the middle of the street, and the officer asked them to cross the street several times. When they refused to comply with the officer's repeated order to cross the street, the officer arrested them.
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