News Cameraman Falsely Arrested For Filming Police In Suffolk County New York
Uploader: NewsCenter NY
Original upload date: Mon, 02 Jun 2014 00:00:00 GMT
Archive date: Sun, 05 Dec 2021 04:39:55 GMT
A videographer responsible for capturing news footage became the news on Friday July 29, 2011 when he filmed part of his own arrest while trying to capture video of a police crime scene.
The videogra
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pher says he was standing on public property far from the police activity, and in the video you can see other bystanders standing hear him and witnessing the scene without being ordered to leave. Nevertheless, he was charged with misdemeanor obstruction of governmental administration. Before the arrest, you can hear the Sgt. Michael Miltion yell at him, "I've been doing this for 30 years and there's nothing you can hold over my head or anyone out there. Go away."
Newsday reports that officers were at the scene responding to a high-speed chase after two suspects hit an unmarked police car. The Suffolk County Police Department issued a statement saying, "The department is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the arrest."
"The video makes clear that Sergeant Milton acted in an angry and aggressive manner, with disregard for my constitutional rights," the videographer said in a statement. "When police arrest journalists just for doing their job, it creates a chilling effect that jeopardizes the public's ability to stay informed about important news and events in their community."
***** UPDATE ***** The Suffolk County Police Commissioner eventually nullified videographer arrest and ordered his department to take media relations training.
The commissioner's response to the incident was apparently not enough for videographer, who, through the lawsuit, is seeking an injunction "ordering Suffolk County to develop and implement a comprehensive and effective policy to protect the First Amendment rights of the public and press to observe and record police activity in public."
***** UPDATE ***** June 17, 2014 --In a settlement approved today by the Suffolk County Legislature, the Suffolk County Police Department has agreed to annually train and test all police officers on the First Amendment right of the public and the media to observe, photograph and record police activity in public locations.
The settlement also requires the SCPD to pay Datz $200,000 and create a Police-Media Relations Committee to address problems between the press and the Police Department.
The Police Department's Internal Affairs Bureau subsequently found that the sergeant made a false arrest and violated Department rules and procedures.
The disciplinary charges against Sgt. Milton were settled by "Stipulation and Agreement" dated January 9,1014. Pursuant to the agreement, Sgt. Milton received a forfeiture of 30 accrued days, with 10 days held in abeyance.
See the full story on the settlement at : http://Freedomtofilm.com/news/2014_06_17_a.html