Category: Odd + Funny Author : Duncan Riley Posted: April 21, 2009
Tags : police fail, texas
A local news crew covering a crash on an El Paso, Texas highway Monday found that reporting the news can end with them being arrested.
Journalist Darren Hunt and cameraman Ric Dupont were at the scene of the accident and were attempting to interview witnesses, when approached by an officer who told them to leave.
According to an ABC-7 account (the station they worked for):
Darren continued to try to get information from the men in fatigues when the situation began to escalate. The sergeant jumped the barrier and told Darren to get in the truck (an ABC-7 news unit) and leave, then held Darren with his hands behind his back to the side of the truck belonging to a witness that was parked on the shoulder.
“I’m not doing anything,” Darren said repeatedly.
Darren and Ric were handcuffed, read their Miranda rights and taken to the Westside Regional Command Center. They were released within a few minutes. The entire incident lasted about an hour.
The officer has been placed on administrative duties while an investigation takes place. Local police officials said that while they had to wait for the outcome of the investigation, “”that’s not the type of conduct, based on the video, that we expect from our officers.” Both the reporter, and TV station said they would be filling complaints.
Naturally the whole thing was caught on video:
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Apr 21, 2009
This reporter is an idiot. He was told to move multiple times. He must have been under the impression that a reporter does not have to listen to the police and can get involved in police business. I am usually on the other side of the police, but this guy was warned and continued to act like an idiot. If he would have just left he would have not been in this situation. I agree with the cop this time. I do believe in freedom of the press, but not if the intrude on police business and act like a idiot.
Apr 22, 2009
tgreen, are you blind, the reporter was walking to his truck. the cop followed after him, because the reporter was talking back. Like the cop isn't allowed to be talked back to. is this kindergarten and he's the teacher ????
If everyone who's an idiot got arrested for being one, alot of you would be in jail…
)
The system should have periodic classed the cops need to go to that remind them of their role in society, and that they are not all powerful just because such a large majority of the people obey them…..
If only I could be king for a year and instill “common sense” into so much of our daily lives that desperately need it.
Apr 22, 2009
Seems as though this police officer was on a bit of an authoritative trip! They need to keep their emotions in check and clearly this police officer did not do that. He should be suspended without pay and give a public apology for his actions. Instead of doing his job by dealing with the accident scene he decides to chase after a reporter doing his job. Looking at the video it didn't seem as though the reporter was interferring in any way. And in response to the previouse writer, he wasn't acting like an idiot, he was simply asking a question which the officer never answered. And if you watch the video, the reporter was moving back towards the truck, not toward the accident. He probably just didn't like the fact that the reporter was stating that he was doing his job and asked why he had to move. If there was anyone acting like the idiot it was the officer. What about the other cars parked along the shoulder? Are they witnesses to the accident or are they merely gawkers. Shouldn't he have moved them out of the way? Everytime a cop gets his badge, another one loses his brains. He seems to be a cop on a mission…..satisfy his ego! Seems to be a lot of cops like that down there in Texas.
Apr 22, 2009
Cops have always abused their power, thank God more of it is being caught by cameras and they cannot deny their behavior. Their on a power trip and are always tough guys with someone who is not a threat, anytime there is a real criminal that challenges them they hide like children. Dont forget about the kid they killed on the BART in San Fran, or other countless abuses, including Sheriff Arpaio in Maricopa county and his racial profiling. They all think it is the old west and they and their authority is not to be questioned. Keep filming these guys!!!!
Apr 22, 2009
Sgt. Ramirez, I find you guilty of:
1-Severe anger management problems.
2-Severe stupidity problems-did you not learn anything from the Dallas cop fiasco a few short weeks ago? Dude-*there's a video camera filming your entire screaming-nut-job fear-and-anger attack!*
Sentence:be an on-campus high school security guard for the rest of your 'career'. After all, you might learn to handle your emotions, but you'll always be stupid.
Apr 22, 2009
I can't believe this man is a cop and still is, after this video. This is scary stuff. If journalists with cameras are treated like this just for doing their duty, how will a common man be treated? These type of people are a risk to the entire police force as this will be the image that gets through to a common mans mind, against all the good deeds they perform for the society. Its sad that these type of elements are there in the forces. When will we have a force that takes care of this problem, conduct constant performance evaluations and weed the bad apples out? I watched this video only with horror and I am baffled totally to see this happen.
Apr 23, 2009
That “police officer” is a total douchebag! Unprofessional as hell! I hope they sue his ass!
Apr 24, 2009
Wow, that was hilarious but a bit retarded as well. Just the fact that that they were talking back was not enough to get these reporters arrested. This is beyond intelligent understanding. I can't believe how lame some police officers can be. That cop should be fired for his misjudgement, his stupidity, and his anger issues, and this video would reinforce any decisions to do so. ^_^
Jul 29, 2011
Looks like the officer did not get his morning coffee today.