I have the right to record the NYPD in the place of their duty. >> This is 100% This is 100% public. >> It was a conflict between New York City police officers and America's most successful auditor. >> This is public. Go outside. >> I'm going to ask you to deescalate a little bit. >> We need to go outside. We need to step outside because then it's handcuffed afterward. So, step outside. Go ahead. >> That sign is not a law, Sergeant. It is law in the city of New York. Step outside. What law is it? What law is it? That's the voice of Long Island Audit, Sean Paul Reyes. >> You cannot record in the precinct. That is the law. >> It's not obstruction, >> sir. Back. >> I need help filing a complaint. That's what I came here to do. Who's going to help me with that? >> You cannot record inside. >> So, send somebody out here to help me file a complaint. >> Take your foot. >> These officers are with the 105th precinct in Queens. >> I want all your badge numbers. I want all your badge numbers and names. >> I have it right there. Sorry. You have it right there. >> I need to file a complaint. Sergeant, are you denying me services? Someone is going to help you. [laughter] >> This interaction began when Reyes went to this police station to file a formal complaint against two NYPD officers from a previous encounter. >> All right, guys. So, we're just getting inside the 105th precinct here. Hopefully, they take our complaint. >> Reyes filmed as he entered the publicly accessible precinct lobby. So, as you guys can see, there's nothing we're recording that's sensitive at this point. >> I don't understand why they make a big deal telling you they just hate transparency and accountability. >> All right. Make sure I'mma help you. >> Hi, ma'am. How are you? I'm looking to file a a complaint against an officer. Okay. >> What's going on? Um, >> what's at the 61st precinct? I would say Monday. Why? Why that? Look. What's wrong with the 61st precinct? >> Okay. >> Are you Are you Are you recording it? >> Yeah, I'm taking pictures and video for my safety. >> You know, you have to shut it off. Says right here, members, you're supposed to record. So, if you have to record, you have to step out. Sorry. >> You cannot record here. >> Why would that be though? >> I just told you. >> But that's that's not a law, ma'am. >> Okay. I'm I'm recording for my safety. >> Okay. You cannot record here. >> I'm recording for my safety, ma'am. You cannot record here. >> I'm recording for my safety. I'm trying to file a complaint here, >> sir. You cannot record here. >> My freedom and my property was taken from me by the NYPD. >> Sir, my freedom. You can't do that. >> I am here to conduct business, sir. Your sergeant sergeant. I'm here to conduct business. My freedom and my freedom. My freedom. >> But listen, my freedom and record, that's perfectly fine. >> But I'm here to conduct business. What I'm saying is I'm here to get services. I my freedom and my property was taken from me by the NYPD. I'm here recording. >> Yes, I was arrested. My freedom >> record. We're gonna record also outside. >> You I mean if you want to send somebody outside, you can do that under threat of arrest. >> I have a right to record in public. >> I have the right to record the NYPD in the course of their duty. >> This is 100% This is 100% public. This is a public lobby. >> This is a public lobby. Go outside. >> I'm going to ask you to deescalate a little bit. >> You need to go outside. You need to step outside because then it's handcuffed afterwards. So, step outside. Go ahead. >> That sign is not a law, Sergeant. City York. >> The courts have ruled that the First Amendment allows citizens to film in publicly accessible areas of government buildings. But the issue has not yet been tested in public lobbies of police stations. The NYPD is America's largest police force. Send somebody out here to help me file a complaint. >> Take your foot. Take your foot up the door. >> Okay. So, send somebody out here to file a complaint. I want all your badge numbers. I want all your badge numbers and names. >> I have it right there. So, why are you You have it right there. >> I need to file a complaint. Sergeant, are you denying me services? >> Is going to help you. >> Under threat of arrest, Reyes stayed outside and after a few minutes, an officer emerged to assist with the formal complaint. >> Sir, how you doing? >> Hey, how are you? >> Officer officer what? >> Officer Field 22125. How you doing? >> Hey, how are you? >> So, you know, being recorded by my police body, one camera. >> Sure. In public, no problem. >> It's okay. So, first of all, appreciate you hanging tight. You know, inconvenience, whatever it is. Uh, so just you know, you can't record inside police precincts. Any police precinct, whether it's New York City, outside, do you do the uh what do you call it? Do the audit stuff. >> I'm here to file a complaint. >> Okay. Okay. So, I spoke with my supervisor, spoke with my other officers. So, we provide you information. I believe it's when we complain in regards to the 61 precinct. >> 61st precinct. >> 61st. Okay. So, we gave the information for CCB. You can call the hotline at this phone number or you can file online at new york.gov/cccb uh complaint. >> Some people though do not have access to the internet on their behalf and to force the police to follow protocol. Reyes stands firm. >> I like to file one in person here. You guys don't you guys take complaints here? >> It's a whole thing. I like I said it'd be easier for you just to call them or >> I know but I I I would want I want to file it here. >> So would would you like this information or No, >> I would like to file my complaint here. >> Okay. Hang tight, sir. Right. Sure. >> Like like anybody else would. >> Oh, I don't I don't carry ID. >> No, of course. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Moments later, another officer emerges. >> This is the complaint form. >> That's the That's the form that you fill out. Once you're done filling it out, um I'll be right there and let me know and then uh we'll go from there. Okay. >> All right. So, at least they handed me a physical complaint form here. Reyes filled out the complaint form and handed it back. >> Yes, >> here it is. >> Okay, give me one second. Okay, I'll be right with you. Yep. >> Reyes also asked to speak to a supervisor. A sergeant came out soon after. >> Hey, how are you, Sergeant? >> So, uh, we're going to file your complaint that you're making. Yep. >> I'm going to call CCRB I >> and filed for you. It's against 61. >> Correct. Officer Kakuza and Sergeant Courtet. >> All right. Um, >> I'm going to fill that out. I'm just going to get a number for you so you can have that. >> Sure. >> Um, any other issues? You said Reyes then politely brought up the police lobby recording policy. >> I know you didn't make the policy. I know you didn't make the rules, Sergeant. I'm I'm not saying you did. I'm just saying >> as a public servant as yourself, like all of you are public servants, which I respect and I, you know, I appreciate um, you know, it's a good service you do for your community. But by locking out the public the freedom of press the first amendment by locking out the freedom of press is there's no governmental need significant you can there's no significant governmental um you know benefit in order to why what why would be the purpose in your words what would be the purpose >> safety concern >> safety a camera never hurt anyone in the >> inside the priest I'm not saying outside >> no but I'm saying inside it's not a safety concern because the camera's never hurt anyone it's only exposed corruption and tyranny >> but how can it hurt saw the law. We asked you to leave multiple times inside the >> prison. But how can a Yeah, but you said it's a safety issue. How is a camera a safety issue? >> The law isn't what we've been told about that. It's >> But it's not a safety issue. >> You're going to stay inside, keep recording, and not leave. And I asked you multiple times to leave. >> Well, under threat of arrest, I left. >> Oh, you did. >> I left under threat of arrest. You wouldn't ask anyone else to leave. If somebody just walked in without recording, right? >> And you wouldn't ask recording. >> They could just hang out there all day. Correct. They can hang out. Yeah, sure. >> Okay. So, the recording is the problem. >> I'm keeping it real here. >> Oh, the recording is the problem. That's good to know. I mean, >> it's there's there's no benefit to the NYPD. >> Probably if you want to record for your safety, like we can come out, we can talk to you out here and then >> But what if it was like a private thing where I, you know, I wanted to record and I wanted to what if it was something where I wanted to be segregated, not in public, because anybody can record us out in here in public. And what if it was like someone taking, you know, you know, a special victim's crime or something like that and they felt comfortable recording? They wouldn't be able to record inside the station. So, they just wouldn't, you know, what if they were, you know, sexually assaulted by an officer and they wanted to just come and speak to somebody in private and they wanted to record because they're scared. Now, that's what I'm saying. It doesn't serve any significant benefit to not record. But it does it does to right now, >> but it it does serve a significant benefit to allow recording. >> It benefits you. I understand that >> we the people will fight against tyranny with everything we have. >> Well, you can take up the complaint >> and that's I'm following the proper channels, but I'm telling you, we will make change here. >> All right, >> you have the day you deserve, Sergeant. >> So, you just heard a lot of the intriguing issues and arguments that will hopefully play out soon in a courtroom. The scope of the First Amendment in the public lobby of a police station needs to be defined. Kudos to Shawn Paul Reyes Long Island audit for his respectful but firm approach to all of this. Reyes had been encouraged for months by fellow activists to enter and film inside a New York City police precinct lobby in order to bring this debate to a judicial review. Reyes believes, as many of us do, that filming should be allowed. Still, the auditor followed police orders to leave the lobby. He did not antagonize police or spark a physical confrontation. And that's no small feat given that the NYPD have a reputation for being rough and easily triggered. We need more debates and discussions about our constitutional rights and police interactions. And to everybody who helps move that along in a peaceful yet serious manner, including Shawn Paul Reyes and the police supervisors in New York's 105th precinct, thank you. I'm David Schuster. Thanks for joining us.