Boston Cop Shoves Videographer Back While Threatening to Arrest him for Battery on Police Officer
PINAC (Photography is not a Crime)
A hefty plainclothes sergeant from the Boston Police Department figured the best way to not be exposed on camera was to physically confront a videographer, shoving him with his belly and pushing him back while threatening to arrest him for felony assault on an officer.
This, of course, is another common practice used by police, ranking right up there with ordering a non-resistant suspect to “stop resisting” while physically pummeling him.
“You touch me again and I will lock you up for assault and battery on a police officer,” the burly sergeant told the burping videographer.
The sergeant and another plainclothes cop who identified himself as Fabiano told Jay Kelly that he needed to move out of the area because there was a police investigation.
Meanwhile, a shirtless jogger trots right through their investigation while numerous cars also drive through in opposite directions in two lanes.
Once across the street, the sergeant yelled at Kelly that the suspects did not want to be recorded, according to an interview he did with Massachusetts Cop Block, which happens to be another common tactic used by police to prevent citizens from recording.
The sergeant’s behavior is especially arrogant considering the landmark Glik decision not only confirmed citizens have the right to record cops in public, but led to the Boston Police Department dishing out $170,000 in a settlement.
That same year, the Boston Police Department also dished out $33,000 to Maury Paulino in a settlement after he was arrested for video recording them in public.
But perhaps the sergeant figured he could get away with it by simply telling the citizen to record all he wants as long as he doesn’t record in their presence, which incidentally, is another double-speak tactic we’ve been seeing lately.
I guess the appropriate response is to tell the cops, “I’m not recording,” while sticking the camera in their face.
Call the Boston Police Department at (617) 343-4633.
Send stories, tips and videos to Carlos Miller.
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