You and other officers attended a sudden death at a property in Pencoed. £16,870 [music] was seized from a safe in the property for safekeeping. She was not allowed to enter the property and was not aware that the cash had been seized. >> I'm prison officer. And was misconduct which undermined discipline within the prison. You have asked for two other offenses of misconduct in a public office to be taken into consideration. When the police were the ones who planned the most daring robbery of the year. When she opened the bathroom door, she was shocked to see you standing there dressed in full police uniform. There was estimated to have been about £16,000 in cash in the safe. And the police misconduct offense in the magistrate. Uniforms, power, and a criminal conspiracy that embarrassed the industry. At about 18:34 hours that evening, you telephoned Miss Watkins and pretended to be PC Roberts from Gwent Police. Earlier this year, you telephoned the South Wales Police Anti-Corruption Unit [music] and said that you wanted to hand yourself in as you had done something stupid. While on duty, a veteran officer secretly steals evidence, setting off a chain of events that shocks the entire force. You claimed that you had been blackmailed and were in fear. Then, you said that you had done a burglary, that you had been tasked to do it by persons that you didn't know but that you feared. A calculated fake phone call forces the victim to leave home only for the uniformed man to appear with an unexpected purpose. December 2023. You and other officers attended a sudden death at a property in Pencoed. £16,870 was seized [music] from a safe in the property for safekeeping. It was being saved by the deceased for his funeral. It was counted, and that count was recorded on body-worn video. Outside the property, you spoke to Miss Price, who is the deceased's sister. Two days later, her nephews told her that the money was missing, and so she reported it to the police who told her that they had seized the money. On the 4th of January 2024, while the officer who was tasked to return the money was away, you went to Miss [music] Price's home to return the money to her. She told you that she was going to put it in her safe. You asked to use her toilet which was situated next to the front door, and then stole the key to the front door, which had been left in the lock. Later the same day, Miss Price realized that the key was missing, and she replaced it with her spare key. You telephoned Miss Price pretending to be someone named Thomas from the coroner's office. You telephoned her a second time to check that she was still on her way to the hospital. At the hospital, Miss Price discovered that no one named Thomas worked there, and that none of the staff had contacted her. In the meantime, having ensured by that means that Miss Price would be out of the way, you went to her address that afternoon wearing black clothing and carrying a black Under Armour rucksack. When officers searched your home address on the 15th of February this year, they recovered a black Under Armour rucksack from your bedroom wardrobe, and found Miss Price's missing front door key in the side pocket of that rucksack. Using secret police access, not to solve crimes, but to hunt for cash like a professional criminal. 6th of February 2024, you carried out searches on police computer systems into an address in My Steg, and the family that lived there. At about 11:45 hours the following day, the 7th of February 2024, you went to that address. When she opened the bathroom door, she was shocked to see you standing there dressed in full police uniform. You told Miss Watkins that you had a warrant to search the house due to suspected [music] drug dealing. You confirmed with her that there was no one else in the house. When Miss Watkins asked if she could telephone her husband, you said no and took the phone from her. You told her to remain sitting in the living room. You then went upstairs and located the family safe in the main bedroom. You asked her what was in the safe, and she told you that there were photographs of her grandson, some jewelry, and collectible coins, and an unknown quantity of cash that belonged to her husband. There was estimated to have been about 16,000 in cash in the safe. You told Miss Watkins that you had to take the safe away to get your colleagues to open it. You told her that you could not give her a receipt as she did not know the contents of [music] the safe. Miss Watkins immediately called her husband, Mr. Bailey. He came home, collected the key [music] to the safe, and went to Brecon Police Station to ask for his safe to be returned. At the station, he was told that there was no record of police attendance at the address, and the matter was reported as a burglary. At about 18:34 hours that evening, you telephoned Miss Watkins and pretended to be PC Roberts from Gwent Police. You asked if she wanted a crime reference number and if she had a pen and paper, and then you hung up. Wearing a uniform and holding fake documents, he went straight into a house and turned the search into a daring robbery. You telephoned the South Wales Police Anti-Corruption Unit and said that you wanted to hand yourself in as you had done something stupid. You claimed that you had been blackmailed and were in fear. Then, you said that you had done a burglary, that you had been tasked to do it by persons that you didn't know, but that you feared. You said that you had removed the safe with unknown contents and left it on wasteland near John's Lane. When you were interviewed on the 10th of February following your arrest, you claimed that you were being blackmailed because of your involvement with a female who you named. You said that the Brecon-based organized crime group may have been responsible. You denied entering the property in Myasteg as a trespasser, claiming that you had been invited in as part of a setup, and that you had been given instructions on where to leave the safe. You were interviewed about the first set of offenses on the 29th of April this year. Others had discovered your occupation and identity and demanded money from you, which you did not pay. Mrs. Watkins made a victim personal statement on the 10th of April this year. It has been read to the court by prosecution counsel. You are now 34 years old and of previous good character. I take into account the sentencing guideline on the imposition of community and custodial sentences. Applying the sentencing guideline on reduction in sentence for a guilty plea, you are entitled to the full 1/3 credit for your guilty pleas at the earliest opportunity for the theft and the attempted burglary. Stage one was fixed and later extended to the 30th of April. On the 2nd of May >> [music] >> this year, the case was listed for plea, but you were not produced from custody that day, and so you were not able to change your pleas to guilty until the 9th of May. It has been submitted on your behalf that you are entitled to the full 1/3 credit for your guilty plea to count for, as you pleaded guilty to that offense as soon as it was added to the indictment. However, you could have made an unequivocal indication of a guilty plea to this offense before that stage, or given an unequivocal indication that you accepted the facts and would plead guilty to an appropriate offense. The trial is over. The multi-year prison sentence marks the end of the career of a man once considered the pride of the industry, now a symbol of betrayal. Stand up, please, Mr. Cook. You have thrown it all away, and in doing so, you have tarnished the reputation of South Wales Police and of policing generally before January this year. For the theft of the key, if you had been convicted after a trial, the sentence would have been one of 3 weeks imprisonment. The sentence is 2 weeks imprisonment. For the attempted burglary, if you had been convicted after a trial, the sentence would have been 2 years 6 months imprisonment. The sentence is 1 year 8 months imprisonment concurrent. For the burglary, the sentence is 6 years and 4 months imprisonment For the computer misuse offense, the sentence is 1 year 8 [music] months imprisonment concurrent. For the offense of corrupt or improper exercise of the powers of a police officer, if you had been convicted after a trial, the sentence would have been 2 years imprisonment concurrent. Less at least 20% discount for your guilty plea, the sentence is 2 years 4 months imprisonment concurrent. That means that your total sentence is one of 6 years and 4 months. The court found the offenses serious, premeditated, abusive, and causing loss of confidence in the police force. Sentenced to 6 years and 4 months in prison, half in prison and the rest under supervision. This is a strong warning that corrupt police will pay the price. Next, amidst the chaos of a prison, a new female warden crosses a line that all rules absolutely forbid. And I have to sentence you for the offense of misconduct in that public office. You knew that conduct was forbidden and forbidden for good reason. The other was a previous occasion of sexual intercourse with the same prisoner. In a cramped cell, all professional standards were broken and a smuggled phone recorded it all. Before you were a prison officer at His Majesty's Prison, Wandsworth. And I have to sentence you for the offense of misconduct in that public office. On 25th of June, 2024, you engaged in sexual activity with a prisoner. That compromised your role as and was misconduct, which undermined discipline within the prison and put fellow officers at increased risk. You also consented to a second prisoner video recording these events. Within a few days, that video went viral on the internet and your offending became known to the prison authorities. One was performing oral sex on the same prisoner on a separate occasion on the same day. An event partly recorded by accident on your prison issue body-worn camera. You started work at Wandsworth in January 2024, some 5 months before this offending. That training includes counter-corruption training which emphasized the need to maintain professional relationships with prisoners and avoid becoming compromised by them. The conditions there were the subject of an adverse report from the Chief Inspector after visits between 22nd April and 2nd May 2024. In consequence of which a large number of prisoners were moved elsewhere. In the course of this sentence, I shall refer to the pre-sentence report prepared by Lucy Jones and the psychiatric reports prepared on the instructions of the defense by Dr. Kuman, a consultant forensic psychiatrist who has the advantage that he worked at Wandsworth in the recent past. On 25th June 2024, you were on duty in uniform when you went to a cell with the prisoner. You took off your prison issue radio and put it to one side. Your set of keys was at risk of being taken. Laughter, cheers, and a history-making moment. But just a few days later, that video shook the system. A second prisoner was present and had a camera doubtless on a phone which must have been an unauthorized phone. He also appears to have been smoking cannabis. You consented to him recording what was happening. This is how we live at Wandsworth, bruv. And you know you are a gangster. Through your lawyers, you have provided a written basis of plea accepted by the prosecution confirming that you consented to the sexual activity and to the second prisoner recording it. You deny that you had any prior knowledge or gave any consent for the video to be uploaded to the internet. I shall sentence you on the basis that you did not intend the recording to be uploaded to the internet for public viewing. Let alone OnlyFans. From what I know about you, you were certainly not naive about the media or social media. The fact is that the video went viral and caused great harm. You've asked for two further two other offenses to be taken into consideration and I shall do so. They show that this offense was not isolated. Heathrow Airport, a plan to leave the UK was suddenly stopped at the boarding gate. It's not clear when the earliest offense occurred, so I shall assume the repetition was within a few days. It seems that you became aware that the recording had gone viral on Thursday, 27th June, 2024. A portion of the recording was drawn to the attention of prison staff during 28th June. You maintain that you did not understand that your misconduct had been illegal. This is an instance of many apparently contradictory things that you've said in accounts that you've given. The fact is that you were clearly aware that the video was evidence of serious misconduct when you planned to leave the country. However, you and your legal representative had prepared a written statement of some length and detail. In effect, you accused the prisoner of rape aided and abetted abetted by the second prisoner. It was one intended to avoid the consequences of your own criminal acts and means that I must consider your other statements intended to minimize your culpability with considerable care. You maintained that assertion at the hearing before the magistrates, but then pleaded guilty to the offense at the first hearing in the Crown Court. In court, the initial statements were exposed as fabrications and a severe sentence was immediately pronounced. The factor favoring an immediate prison, Sam, is that appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate custody. This was considered in the Queen and Hibbs, a case concerning an inappropriate but not sexual relationship between a prison nurse and a prisoner for offenses of this sort. That is because of the need for a strong deterrent element. Your offense, the factors favoring suspension are the prospects you have of rehabilitation, there being a low risk of reoffending, and your personal mitigation, including your mental health. My principal concern here is for your child. Although that is balanced by my concern for the consequences for the children of your fellow officers. Your conduct and the harm caused was immensely serious. The sentence on you is one of 15 months imprisonment. Of that, you will serve half in custody unless the prison off- authorities decide to release you earlier. There are no financial orders I can make save to record that the surcharge provisions set by Parliament apply. I direct payment in 28 days and make a collection order. In the UK, misconduct in public office, civil servant, prison officer, police officer, maximum penalty, life imprisonment. The penalty usually depends on the severity, number of offenses, consequences, and mitigating factors. Starting point, 24 months in prison, reduced to 20 months due to circumstances, then reduced by 25% due to guilty plea, 15 months. The judge stated that immediate imprisonment was needed for deterrence, not suspended. Abu will serve half of his sentence in prison, the rest suspended, minus 95 days for time served under house arrest. Next. The guy thought everything was over when the police returned his driver's license, But then, a strange question made the atmosphere tense. Okay. I got to go to work and then I think it's going to give me more time, to be honest. This road has a lot of human trafficking. You don't have anybody stashed in your trunk. Again, which makes me wonder if there's drugs or guns >> There's weapons of some sort, narcotics, human. You got someone in the You know, you put So, you want to start reaching around with your hands and grabbing for things and recording. Again, You're trying to break the law. Maybe I let you go, but maybe I just keep you here for a while, right? Cuz that's really at my discretion, right? >> sure. Just because he refused something that seemed harmless, he was forced into a situation where he had to either give in or prepare to lose his job. Everything seems to check out. And I'm Hold on. I'm going to give it back to you, but before I give it back to you, I feel a lot more comfortable if you consent to me taking a look inside your car. Do you think that's cool? Um to be honest, officer, I'm I'm on my way to work. I didn't really do anything wrong, you know, I just I'd I'd be happy if you just kind of let me go on my way if everything checked out, you know. You seem a little nervous. Everything okay? You said you're on your way to work. >> I don't want to be late. I mean, I I you know, I got to go Right. I mean, if everything checked out, I would, you know, if you're okay with that, I'd like to just, Well, again, I Just because you don't have any warrants currently that I can find or anything like that doesn't mean that there's not anything going on inside the car that I'd like to know about. So, again, if you just let me pop you out of the car and me pop in real quick, maybe make a rounds with my dog, that'd be cool. Is that cool with you? No, I mean, honestly, I'd rather not. No, you don't want to comply. What? We have a lack of compliance. That's what >> have a warrant? You know, I mean, I kind of know my rights. >> All I need to do is take a look inside your car. Like I said, I already ran your license and gave it back to you. You seem to be building a little bit of trust here, but I I just feel a lot more trustful if I knew what was going on inside the car. Again, you have the windows tinted a little bit. There's It's hard Do you have any weapons in the car or any drugs or anything? Sir, no weapons, no drugs. Again, I just think that I think this is even more time, to be honest, so This road has a lot of uh human trafficking. You don't have anybody stashed in your tr- Again, I'd feel a lot better if you just let me pop the trunk. Um Take a look around. >> I haven't really had the best interaction with police, but uh Okay, so you have So now I'm a bad guy and you're the you're a lawyer. >> No, no, sir. I No, I I I just It It uh So you don't trust me, which makes me not trust you, right? >> Yes, sir, I do, but I I also have a job and uh I have a family to When people invoke the law to protect themselves, the police switch from persuasion to a more frightening tactic. I really appreciate it. So an arrest Let me go on my way. An arrest An arrest will look probably pretty bad to your employer. If you had If instead of being 5 minutes late, you end up spending the night in jail or maybe missing a couple days of work. >> reason to arrest me, sir. You just said that my everything's checked out, so, you know, if everything's checked out, then I should be able to leave, right? Well, I'd like to take a look in the car. You keep forgetting to I am. answer my question on why I should trust you, cuz I don't trust you, and I want to take a look in the back of this car. I'm not going to uh I'm going to see what's going on. >> but, you know, I I kind of don't trust you, either. And I I know my rights, and I I I prefer >> Again, we're back to this. You just let me go, to be honest. >> Just let you go. Even that language, letting you go implies that I'm letting you go while you've done something wrong, which makes me wonder if there's drugs or guns >> There's no weapons of some sort, narcotics, human You got someone in the I You know, you put You take a guy like you and you put a suit on you, and it's really easy to get through some places, and I don't I don't think I feel real comfortable with you tossing a suit on and then scooting through my town trying to pretend like you're just some guy that's late for work. You're making me nervous. >> I could show you my work badge if that makes you feel better, sir. I don't want to go through this whole Am I going to have to take you out of this car, or are you going to let me look in this car, or >> Yeah, like I said, there was nothing when I ran your license, so if I could just get some more compliance. >> according to the law I should be able to go, sir. What took What took like what? 2 minutes for me to get your license and run it? >> No, if you just let me go, I think we, you know, we'd be fine. But I again I I I I don't feel comfortable allowing you to search my car, please. a suit, an employee card, but it made this officer suspicious to an unbelievable extent. and you just take on down the road and making your way with whatever guns, narcotics, or humans you're trafficking. >> Can I ask you a question? Do you mind if I record this? I mean, I don't make any sudden >> You want to start reaching around with your hands and grabbing for things and recording? Or Again, >> obviously trying to break the law. You've asked me this question before. I've I've I don't feel comfortable um allowing you to search my vehicle. And at this point I I mean, I'd I'd like permission to record this, to be honest. And I don't want to you know, move my hands too suddenly, but Again, the more you start making demands and and not answering my request, >> Just a request. >> All my requests have been denied, right? You gave me your license and since then it's been lack of compliance. 100%. >> I've complied. I've given you my license. My >> You won't let me take a look inside the car? Well, sir, I'm I mean, I'm going to be late for work. I'm going to protest to lose my job if you start My job is to make sure that you are safe and everyone else is safe. And again, your lack of wanting to work with me makes me think you're trying to hide something behind that suit. No, it it the suit is just a requirement for work. It has nothing Finally, the policeman uttered a chilling threat, revealing a suffocating abuse of power. Okay. But I again I just I I know my rights and I I prefer to not let you search my car, please. >> Okay. So, you're not going to be compliant. We're not going to do this the easy way. Well, what what is what other way is there, sir? I mean, [music] I The easy way would be Maybe I let you go, but maybe I just keep you here for a while, right? Cuz that's really at my discretion, right? >> sure you are. >> with the badge, right? I don't want to record this on my phone, but Yeah, I'd feel a lot more comfortable if you kept your hands where I could see them, bro. Well, here are my hands. >> Right. Where I can see them. But my phone is right here. If If mind, I just I'd prefer if you just let me go. I'm I'm a nice guy, sir, and I Again, you keep saying things like let me go, and that implies that you're taking off from your responsibilities, right? All right, don't worry, I got You're lucky there's a car behind you, bro. Get on your way. If I see you around here, I'm searching the inside of that car. Citizens may sue public officials for violating their constitutional rights pursuant to 42 US Code SS 1983. The individual/organization may be required to pay restitution to the injured party. In severe or intentional cases, punitive damages may be ordered. Additionally, the court may order the losing party to pay the plaintiff's attorney fees and litigation costs. Unreasonable detention and threats of search can open the door to a civil lawsuit under 42 USC Z 1983 when the police violate constitutional rights. Additionally, if the incident is recorded and goes viral, the [music] police department could face internal or public investigations for abuse of power. You parked in the middle of the road. I'm parked on the side. No, you're not. Don't tell me what the [ __ ] to do. Don't tell me where to go. Don't tell me how to cross the street and where to go and what to do. Who's a coward now? Who's the coward now? In the middle of an empty street, a camera, a few seemingly harmless questions, and then, in the blink of an eye, a series of blue shirts appeared. Yep. Want to almost run me over, huh? What's your name and badge number? Ken, that's why I have every right to take pictures and video out here. The training facility's right at the street Just a call, but the description makes everything tense and suffocating. A real threat or just an exaggerated fear? He's all right at 50 Maple Street, right at our main entrance, filming and flipping [clears throat] people off. Like I said, he's displaying a badge, a wand metal detector. Just getting in the way of traffic. >> your name one more time, please. Sergeant Higgins, H I G G I N S. Hey, can you tell me what he's wearing? He is wearing all black, um, with his face covered with a mask as well. 205 13 15 Maple St. It'll be the Massachusetts Department of Corrections. This is reference to a male subject on the main road. Flipping people off. Oh, wow. Way to escalate. 205 hazard. Hey. I wasn't flipping you off. Yep. Yep. They're coming over that way now. They locked this area down. We're going to go down here. I know the PD's on the way. See you over there. They're letting everybody out over on this side. >> Glittering badges, powerful commands, and a citizen standing still, camera in hand, ready to face it all. They're rerouting again. Yep. Here's the PD. Wow. One almost run me over, huh? Look at this. One almost run me over, huh? What's your name and badge number? What's your name and badge number? Leon, detective, huh? Detective out here, huh? What's your name and badge number? Name and badge, please. 41 section 98D Massachusetts state law, what is your name and badge number? Are you failing to identify? What's your name? What's your name? What's your [ __ ] name? None of your business. It's a scanner, so I can hear you what's coming. What is your name? Identify yourself. What's your name and badge number, please? Laughlin? Thank you, sir. I appreciate it. See, he gets respect. You're Name and badge number, please. Awesome. You got none of your goddamn business. No, you're parked in the middle of the road without any hazards on. Go do that. Yeah. No, I just did. I just did. Don't touch me. Okay. I would never identify as a police officer. Get that out of your head. I don't give a [ __ ] Look Look what? I have to act. You come with respect. Do you understand me? And maybe you'll get it in return. Like these two officers. And you, I think you identified, right? There's always that one piece of huh? No, let me ask you the first time you identify yourself. It's a state law. I'm recording and taking pictures out here. That is it. Because I can, that's why. I have every right to take pictures and video out here. The training facility is right at the street. So what do you say? What if I did? What is that going to get you? Are you going to investigate me cuz I'm not going to answer any more questions. Not going to answer any more questions. Okay, is that illegal? Is there anything illegal about me being here taking pictures? Don't talk about the road, dude. It's a public easement with no sidewalk. Like you just parked. No, you're not. It's officer safety. Don't tell me to walk in the road and watch Orders were given in succession, challenges were answered, and then a moment so unexpected that the entire police convoy had to stop. You have a business card? Do you have a business card? Do you have a business card? Do you have a business Are you Detectives don't have business cards? You guys are straight lie, straight out of the book, huh? Is there another issue with me recording or do you want to just cut the charades and arrest me now on a First Amendment violation? Then you guys are dismissed. I don't need you guys here. Go tell them that I'm allowed out here with Okay, tell them I'm allowed out here to record and take pictures all I want. And I shouldn't be oppressed. Hey Sarge, can you get out of the road, please? This is a public easement. Public right-of-way. But he's going to go fishing now on a ticket. You want to give me a ticket? Give me a ticket. Cuz you're not getting my ID for it. So, good luck. No lights. Look at this. 1 2 3. No overhead lights, but they're worried about a guy with a camera. No lights, huh? Hey Sarge, you want to get them to put their overhead lights on for officer safety? Cuz you know, public safety is number two, right? Do you mind if I do a quick sweep on you just for any tyranny? Do you mind? I'm not going to touch him. Why? You got something on you you shouldn't have? Out of the road. Shut your mouth. Shut your mouth. Yeah, you don't use people like me, are you? Yeah, I'm not touching you, right? I never said I would. You smell like [ __ ] Anyway, calm down. [ __ ] prop, dude, for pieces of [ __ ] You. Reads tyranny all over, dude. You're a detective. >> [laughter] >> Hilarious, dude. How many crimes are out there that are unsolved because When everything seemed to be getting out of control, the outcome made everyone ponder who is the real loser in this confrontation. You an officer? Are you an officer? 41 section 98D states, Massachusetts state law says you have to identify yourself if you're an officer. What is your name and badge number? What is your name and badge number? Failing to identify? Are you unable to violate my rights today, April? You. You little piggies. Calling the police on the police? We just want to let you know that we spoke with our male party. He's on a public way and not willing to identify himself. Can I help you? I was going to going to help you cuz I'm just a civilian and I don't know why you're filming, so I don't know who you are. You work out of here? I live over here. Okay. What's the matter? Oh, you're not either. Says the one driving away in the car. What are you guys so scared of? It's a camera, dude. You got to record people left and right all day long. Except for Milford, they have no body cams. Imagine. I already got that plate. No worries. I'll fly a drone over it next week. Citizens may sue public officials for violating their constitutional rights pursuant to 42 US Code SS 1983. Individuals/organizations are required to pay damages to the injured party. Violating police officers may be disciplined, have their licenses suspended, fired, or expelled depending on the policy of the agency/police chief. The incident shows the risk of abuse of power when police overreact to lawful behavior. They can lead to civil complaints and constitutional rights litigation. Up next, just one camera, but soon after a whole police force suddenly appeared starting a tense and suffocating confrontation. If you're going to continue illegally entertaining me, then yeah. That doesn't mean that you can just stop me and say I'm not I'm not free to move anymore. It's self evident, isn't it? I'm recording on public property. I don't know. What are you recording? A call with vague accusations, and then a swarm of police all because of a man standing there filming. But what is the truth? Can I help you? I'm just letting you know you're more than welcome to film here. You don't need to tell me not to go on the property that >> Just keep it moving, dude. I'm just letting you know >> No, you don't need to let me know, dude. I can I can read. I can read. I can read. Shut the up. All right. Peace to you. Yeah, call the real police, you fake security. It says police, but you ain't the cops. You ain't got no jurisdiction out here. Shut up. The sign is literally right there. No trespassing. No trespassing. State property. I understand my assignment. Do you? Move along, dude. Shut up and keep it moving. But keep it moving. Keep it moving. Get back on your property. You're trespassing on public property. Amidst the frantic orders and requests to show ID, a single question rang out. What crime am I suspected of? And the answer left everyone stunned. Yeah, I understand. Concerned? You mean like suspicious? Let's call it what it is, right? Why do you come over here acting like you're my friend, first of all? Okay? Why don't you identify yourself first? Okay, what's your badge number? 3298? Okay. Just coming out just to make sure everything was good. Yeah. You're kidding, right? No, you don't. I have a Fourth Amendment right, and you're going to respect that today. Do you understand English? Or you can call supervisor and you can kick rocks after. I committed absolutely no crime. I've never stepped on that property. Then, the only time you can get my ID is if I'm driving or if I've committed a crime and under arrest. That's Am I detained? I did not [music] ask for a supervisor. I said if you're going to demand ID and threaten me with an arrest, then you can call a supervisor. Am I Okay, I'm detained? I'm detained for what What crime? Yes, you do. It's reasonable articulable suspicion of a crime. What crime do you sus- What crime do you suspect me of committing? That's how you are to detain somebody. Can you just No, you're not. This is not a cordial conversation anymore. I'm now illegally being detained for absolutely nothing wrong. No, you're investigating me for absolutely no crime. You can't even articulate what crime I've possibly committed. We got a call for service. That doesn't Do you understand that? No, I am done. I've been done with you. If I walk away, you're going to throw me a cop As threats were made and police face charges of unlawful detention, things seemed like they could explode at any moment. Take it to a federal court over it if we have to. Can I get your name, do you have it? No, you cannot. No, can I get yours? Let me see your ID. Let me see your ID. I'll play Let me see your identification. I'll give you mine. That's the deal. You give me yours, I'll give you mine. If you're going to continue uh illegally detaining me, then yeah. Cuz you're So, I suggest you just let me go about my on a public sidewalk. I've done nothing wrong. I don't care. I'm not I'm not free to move anymore. I'm recording on public property. I don't know. What are you recording? Anything I can see out here. Right now, it's you. I know it's fine. Great. I've seen it before. Well, trust me, I'm not >> I don't trust police. They >> [music] >> lie, and the Supreme Court's ruled that you're allowed to. You're completely lying to me. You're detaining me illegally. I've cited the the law, okay? Terry v. Ohio, there's several case laws that you cannot just detain somebody for suspecting them of no crime. >> do you suspect me of? No. Is it loitering? Hold on. Let's go through them. Is it disorderly conduct? Okay. I'm done, and I'm walking away. Now, I don't want to speak with anybody. I want to be free and on my way to record and exercise my rights. I don't hang out with [ __ ] pigs like you who detain people for no crime. Like I said, we got a call about you. We're just trying to figure out what's going on. That's all. >> No, there's nothing going on. There's nothing going on. I'm out here exercising my constitutional rights in this piece of He's telling me I'm detained, and he can't even articulate the crime that he suspects me of, which is illegal. Finally, after a series of tense arguments, the police were forced to release the man and retreat. The incident showed the dangers of police abuse, illegal detention, baseless demands for ID, unreasonable threats. He's okay. He's okay. You. You. Yeah, drive Sammy piece of There it is. Officer right there, not too bad. Civil. The other officer and the sergeant, he threatened me with crossing the street, meanwhile those two goons were doing the same thing. So, rules for thee, but not for me. I'm not getting cited for a pedestrian in the roadway today, guys. Cuz then that would mean he gets my ID and all that crap. So, we're not going to go down that road, literally. But, these fools over here, unreal. Look at them. Look at them. You're okay to record, but don't go on the property. They stalk me left and right. And then Citizen's rights are only truly protected when both citizens and law enforcement understand, respect, and behave properly with the law. Hey everyone, what do you think about this situation? If you enjoyed the video, don't forget to like, subscribe, and support us with a donation. Thank you so much. Next, immediately after a shooting outside a bar, the police show up and demand to see the security cameras, but what happens next is chilling. You're coming with me tonight, understand? I was in my building. I'm You're part of my investigation, okay? They just want to They stand in there. Go on. I got to secure the evidence so I can get a warrant. I copy. He's got He's already got his document. And it says you're good to go get the DVR, right? You won't believe how this police officer tried to intimidate and destroy a bar owner's business with a single call to AB I didn't call. I ain't got nothing to say. I might go out here. You called the police. Even when I said it wasn't nothing, y'all jump on me. I'm not doing this. >> Well, I need you to pull your camera for me, get me a copy of the video. When I call you, you are you give me everything. You're being uncooperative right now and you can't leave the building. >> BUILDING. I'M YOU'RE PART OF MY INVESTIGATION. You got to If you don't listen to me, I'll take your ass with me tonight. Do you understand? This your establishment, so you're part of my investigation right now. Can you open the door? No. Sir, are you going to open the door? No, I'm not. Get a warrant. I just want to know who is standing in there. Move on. I'm not going to secure evidence until I get a warrant. So, he's got to come out. I said I can secure evidence, he's got to come out there. >> You don't want to talk to the cops. You always want to come at me. I'm talking to you. I came down here like a week ago. You don't have this stuff keep going on, man. I am the sergeant. Get out of my half dollar. I didn't call you then, and I didn't call you then. So, I tell YOU WHAT, YOU DON'T GET IN. I'm going to shut you down. The owner of the restaurant refused to drive because he had been drinking, but the police still forced him to come open the door himself to conduct a search. Was this an act of assistance or coercion? I've got my copy. Hey, y'all yeah. Okay. So, what you need me to do? Uh we need you to go down and open the door for us. I'm going to do that. Let me know how you're going to do that with K. Let me find a ride. You got plenty of them right here. I'm not I'm not driving. I I I I had drank. Okay. Well, we can get in. I was just trying to let you let us in easily. Call your superior officer. Your superior officer is down there waiting on us. Okay, call him. Okay. Are you going to go down and unlock the door with your key and let us in? I'm not driving to my bar. You you can not ask me you can not ask me to physically drive and I told you that I've been drinking. Hey, man. You can not ask me to drive my vehicle and I told you I've been drinking. Stop yelling or I'm going to arrest you. I got it. Okay. All right. I got it. Let us get in. See my lawyer WHEN I TELL HIM THAT YOU ASKED ME TO DRIVE A vehicle and I told you that I've been drinking. Huh? I I'll ask him. No, no, he was reading that damn part where you check all the [ __ ] You know, probably property, you know, select whatever stolen, embezzled, kept, concealed, all that [ __ ] I gave it to him. He's got I got my copy. He's got He's already got his copy. Any video recording devices, electronic digital media storage device. The search warrant only allowed them to search the camera's storage device, but then they opened the refrigerator. So, what were the police looking for in the most unlikely places? I got some firearms downstairs. I got one. It's all downstairs. My camera system and [ __ ] It's all It's all down here. I mean, you can check He might have another one. But I'm pretty sure it's downstairs. He's got the He's got the big monitor and [ __ ] downstairs. There's eight guns. Watch this step cuz I'm about to die right here. There's a fan. There's a stamina system. Or the cameras. They came with flags and search warrants, but their actions were no different from the British colonial army, a historical satire taking place right here on American soil. I'm pretty sure it's downstairs. Oh, this is battery backup. Citizens may sue public officials for violating their constitutional rights pursuant to 42 US Code SS 1983. The individual {slash} organization may be required to pay restitution to the injured party. In severe or intentional cases, punitive damages may be ordered. Additionally, the court may order the losing party to pay the plaintiff's attorney fees and litigation costs. A citizen approached the military base. Little did he know that in just a few minutes, things would turn into an unprecedentedly tense >> [music] >> confrontation. This street property? property This man needs to be arrested for assaulting me off base. Do you just want to go to jail for trespassing? Is that what it is? Are you just trying to make a statement out here? Hands suddenly appeared. Shouts, threats rang out continuously. Something was spiraling out of control in front of the camera lens. Leave. Leave the property. Get your hands off back on the base and get You're on property now. >> I am not. This is the public You just wait. Get out of here. You're on the property now. Call the police. You [ __ ] Yeah. Touch me again, you're going to jail for assault. Okay. [ __ ] off. >> I'm not getting the You're still on property. You're on the sidewalk. Get the [ __ ] away away from me. COVID, 6 ft. You're the one that's on our property. Get the [ __ ] back. This street your property? You're not even on the street. >> go across there, but you're on the property. >> You guys are going to learn today about public's ease, right of ease. This is a public street. I'm allowed to be on the side of the road. You can see that I'm not on the street. No trespassing. Now, ask your [ __ ] Now, ask your Ask your dumb ass, why isn't the fence out here, [ __ ] Why isn't the fence out here, [ __ ] Because the public has a right to walk down the side of the road without being in the lane. Demanding ID, threatening arrest, but whose side is the law really on? The debate between power and citizenship is erupting right on the scene. What we got going on today? This is what you see, a constitutionally protected activity in a place I'm legally allowed to be. This man needs to be arrested for assaulting me off base. Okay, but it's his base, so He's off base. This is a Yes, this is a public road. This is called >> This right here? Yes. That's their property. Oh, so it's not That's federal property. And if and until he tells you that you can't be here cuz you're on his property. I need a supervisor. I need your ID. I need a supervisor. I need your ID. What's the crime? Trespassing. Mhm. Trespassing. Yes, sir. Okay. So, I need to see your ID. I don't have an ID on me. I need to see a supervisor. You're required to get a supervisor when I request one. Okay, I can get you a supervisor right after you tell me who you are. You are, or you're going to be under arrest for trespassing, so So, if I don't tell you who I am, I'm going to be under arrest for trespassing. >> Yeah, and we'll take you to Metro, we'll write you down as John Doe, and then you can stay until you tell them who you are. As soon as you as you threaten me with arrest, that's a violation of my Fourth Amendment. Go ahead and take down my information. What's your first and last name? George Metz. >> Give me a supervisor. I need a supervisor. No, it's not. It's As a matter of fact, it's against the law under the 1974 Privacy Act. No, there's no chance. No, we're not doing that yet. You're going to tell me either your ID number, if you have an Alabama driver's license, or you're going to tell me your social. What's the state statute say? What's required? >> Do you just want to go to jail for trespassing? Is that what it is? Are you just trying to make a statement out here? Cuz that's fine. I do this all over the country. I'm sponsored by a lawyer. I'm well-versed in the law. Citizens insist on monitoring, while the police continue to detain without clearly proving the crime. The truth is gradually revealed. I'm being detained. Yes? Yes, right now. Okay. Detained for the crime of trespassing. Yeah. Okay. Is that Calvin? Yeah. 244? Once we find out that I'm legal to be right here, I need to press charges on that captain of the security The supervisor appears, but instead of answers, things get more confusing than ever. Will justice be on the side [music] of the people? How you doing? Good, Sergeant Kelly. How are you? >> I'm great. All right. They're claiming this is part of their property, okay? But you know about public easement, I'm sure. >> If you want to film what's going on over here, Street. So this is not public right-of-way. The public has no right to walk on there? They're claiming this is part of their property. I haven't seen the deed. I don't know. If you want to film what's going on on this base, go across street. Isn't that private property? >> See where that sign is right there, that big tank thing looking thing? Oh, that's public That big metal thing? That's public easement. >> can go right there. That's public easement. They can't say nothing to you. If you want to go over there, go over there. Is this not public easement? Over there it is. I'm just I'm just asking. >> They're claiming this is their property, so that's all I have. Okay? Oh, so you Okay, so just take their word Are you understanding what I'm saying? Okay. Can I stand on the street? No. Why Why Cuz then you're blocking the street, and you can go to jail for disorderly conduct for that. All right. >> You're going to film, and you're going to do this, go across the street. >> Okay. So, this is their property, no one's allowed on it. >> and they don't want you on their property. Go across street. Perfect. Thanks, I didn't need an escort. Citizens may [music] sue public officials for violating their constitutional rights pursuant to 42 US Code SS 1983. Individuals/organizations are required to pay damages to the injured party. Violating police officers may be disciplined, have their licenses suspended, fired, or expelled depending on the policy of the agency/police chief. The citizen was ultimately not arrested, but the police refused to apologize or admit wrongdoing, accusing the police of abuse of power, violating freedom of the press, and the Fourth Amendment. Up next, just a phone and a few photos sparked a fierce confrontation between citizens and armed forces. You're going to lower your voice now when you talk to me. >> here and said I can be wherever I want. >> Ev- anywhere I want, yes. >> All right. And why is that? Because you are not my dad. >> is you being here right now? You have an accident scene, go deal with it. Orders to leave were issued in rapid succession. Debates over scene safety and civil rights raged. Was this public protection or a blatant abuse of power? Why are you here? I said I'm taking photos. >> Okay. Are you allowed on this accident scene? That's what I'm asking you. You're asking me if I'm allowed to be here? >> Yes, sir. Okay. What do you think? Okay. I need you to leave, please, until we get this done. >> Your accident scene. He's taking pictures of other people's vehicles and license plates. Which is against the law. What are you going to do right now? Okay. What are you going to do if I don't stop? >> Okay. All I'm asking you to do, what you need to do is go over there. You're not going to stop me from taking photography. But taking license plate pictures of license plates, you are not allowed to do. You are also by law allowed to lie to me. That's incorrect information. You you you you you you actually can and I can take all the videos of of of license plates that I want. have your ID on you? Do you have your ID on you? Now you're on our accident scene, so I want you to identify yourself. I want you to identify yourself right now. Badge number? And you? Then I need you to remove yourself from this accident. I'm not going to remove myself from this accident scene. You wanted to come here and intimidate me? Let me tell you something right now. This is not your accident scene. This is all public property, okay? First of all, lower your voice now. No no no, you you came here with a bad energy. You're going to lower your voice now when you talk to me. Anywhere I want, yes. None of your god business. And why is that? Because you are not my dad. Who do you think you are? And you do not belong in this accident. You need to leave. I'm not leaving. I'm not leaving. I'm not leaving. You're not going to tell me to you're not going to intimidate me out of here. What is your purpose of being here right now? You have an accident scene, go deal with it. Then walk away. You're dismissed. Then get the get out of here. I don't need you here. A sudden fall, the screams, people bleed, the police make excuses. But how will the truth about power and law be revealed? That's how I did it. Okay. So you put your hand on his right side. Which hand did you use? My left hand. Okay. On his right side. His right arm came up into my left arm twice. Okay, so did you see Mr. Reyes reach for anything? >> I was looking at Mr. Reyes. I just saw the motion of his hand. >> And this is after you made contact with him. >> Yes, sir. After I touched him on the side. Okay. And when you saw the motion of his hand >> After that is whenever I reached up to grab him to take him to the ground because I don't know how the phone fell as I was coming down with him. Okay. And so uh at the time you decided to put your left hand on Mr. Reyes's right side, did he harm you in any way? Uh he was interfering in our investigation. Okay. What investigation was he interfering with? The traffic accident. Did you hear Officer Mendoza say that the investigation was completed? >> At that time, I don't know exactly. Delayed reports, vague resignations, and frightening training gaps. What picture does it all paint about how justice is delivered here? If uh if the chief did not threaten uh termination, uh would you have resigned? >> No, sir. Okay. Uh you were at the hospital. You also went to the hospital because of a finger injury. >> Yes, sir. Okay. What uh explain to me this injury. Whenever I was reaching down on Mr. Reyes's upper body um to grab his arm to pull it back, somehow my They said they were hyperextended. And when you say these two, what what two fingers on what hand? >> It's my right hand little finger and ring finger. >> Uh and uh were you evaluated by a medical professional? Yes, sir. Okay. Uh what was the uh what was the what was the diagnosis? I don't know what you call it, but like a specialist or something. Okay. Uh did you ever follow up with anybody? I had cuts on my head and I had cuts on my hand, but I don't know where it came from. Okay. Um would you consider the injury to your finger as a severe? To me, it's severe. It but I mean it's not like life-threatening, no. Okay. And uh you actually were transported to the hospital by EMS, right? >> Yes, sir. Okay. And at this time you also understood that Mr. Reyes had was bleeding from his head? I heard no, sir, I don't. Uh are you also aware that Mr. Reyes was complaining complaining of not being able to breathe? From shocking testimonies to court verdicts, in the end, who is responsible for that chaotic drama? Police Department supervision quickly discovered the error, released the citizen, and initiated our internal affairs process, period. At this time, the internal affairs investigation is complete, period. As of this morning, before conclusion of the investigation, and those are common, who was also a subject of the investigation, comma, will receive a period of unpaid leave, and is required to participate in remedial training in the areas of law of concern in this incident, period. We're also in consultation with District Attorney's Office for confirmation of relevant actions of the officers relative to the level of criminal responsibility. We work hard every day to earn and keep the trust of the people we serve here in Lake Jackson. And as we move forward as a community comma, the Lake Jackson Police Department recommits itself to that the the the news release, sir. Joe, before you ask some questions, can you tell me what some dates are on that document just so that we have that in writing? So, I'm I'm getting something different over there. I I will try to find that. I I'm not questioning that you read that, I just want to make sure we have a record reference for it. I got it. Sent sent it to the side anyway. I will try to get get that rain for you continue cuz that's a good question I'll do for you. When power exceeds the limits of law, justice gradually disappears in silence. Hey everyone, what do you think about this situation? If you enjoyed the video, don't forget to like, subscribe, and support us with a donation. Thank you so much. Put your HANDS BEHIND YOUR BACK. I didn't do anything. Put your HANDS BEHIND YOUR BACK. I didn't A simple welfare check turned into a shocking arrest right on the owner's home turf. Do you have a warrant to come in my house? No. I didn't do anything illegal. It was just a welfare check call, but when the police came knocking, they didn't expect to be faced with a man full of doubts and ready to fight to the end. Get get get What are you doing? I'm doing nothing. Doing anything. What are you going to do, bro? What are you going to do? You broke through my neighbor's door. Woman reveals secret behind the door. She was not abused but felt trapped in her own home with a boyfriend who wouldn't let go. Listen sir to me first. >> You haven't talked yet. No, do you have a warrant to come in my house? No, goodbye. Ma'am, can you come out and talk with me, please? He's dramatic. Yeah, can I speak with your boyfriend, please? >> Yeah, absolutely. Thank you. I'm not rude. I'm like you. Hi. What's going on? Nothing. She's just I I don't know. I didn't want to make it into like this kind of a deal. That's why I called his parents. Okay. I called you. Yeah. Can we talk for me? He just wants to talk. And he's This has been constant. This has been the last Is he in the house? Yeah, he's standing in the window. Okay. Hold on tight. Those are your babies? Yes. Can I be a part of this conversation, please? I'm not saying anything now. I'll talk to you in a minute. Okay, I'll talk to you in just a second. Let me talk with her first. Is it okay? I'll talk with you in a second. You can walk inside and I'll let you know. Okay, perfect. The mental health issues? Has he put his hands on you? No. But he he kind of locks me. He locks you in the night. I mean, yeah, you could take him with you. I mean, if you have a family friend or something like that to let this cool down tonight, I mean, that could be a Is he going to take it? When the police asked Tyler to come outside to talk, everything seemed fine until he started making demands, filming, and demanding power right on his own turf. My name is Officer Webber. Officer Webber? >> With the Largo Police Department. Actually, wait, I want to start recording. Not because of anything, cuz I know you're recording me. Okay. It's out of respect. You can record as much as you want. >> Is that okay, ma'am? That is perfectly fine. Wait, I want to record you guys. >> Okay, so what's what's going on tonight, Tyler? Before I talk to you, sir, I'm going to record. I just want to know for a fact that it's okay to record all of you. You're good. What's what's going on tonight? I want all of your names before we have a conversation, sir. I'm going to get all of your names. Yeah, okay, okay, okay. I got to figure out this phone. So, while you're doing that, you can kind of multitask. So, what are you What's going on tonight? I I don't know what's going on tonight. You're the one that's at my door. You guys were arguing or Man, I'm going to answer your questions. I want your name first. >> I already gave it to you. It's Officer Webber. No, I don't [ __ ] remember your name. I need a camera. reprocess what's going on. Just give me So, what's going on tonight? Dude, if you ask me that question >> Just give me a second. I'll give you a second. So, I'm just trying to see if You're on my property right now, and you're behind closed doors. Who called you? We can be here. Wasn't my parents that called you? I don't know. Was it your parents? I She may have called you. I don't I don't know. I don't know if it was your parents or was her. It seemed like everything was settled, but just a few minutes later a scream came from the window. The police returned immediately and this time they were not so gentle. >> What did we just talk about? What, dude? What did we just talk about? She's asking you to leave her alone. What do you not understand? >> [clears throat] >> She was You pushed open the door, did you not? The doors are broken, dude. I have >> No, you pushed open the door. She was in there. What was she yelling at you for? What was she yelling at? What was she yelling at? Focus on me. What was she yelling at you about? Yelling at you walked in the bedroom here, what was she saying to you? When we were just out here 30 seconds ago, I literally went to the end of the driveway. We said she could go in there and lock the door. What did you do? You went in there and pushed it open. [ __ ] Look at me, bro. Like dude. >> BACK UP. YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN BACK UP. YOU GOT TO YOU'RE GOING TO TELL ME TO back up on my Back up. I worked hard for this. Didn't remember Okay, it's our landlord's property. So, she's going to get out of here tonight so we don't have to deal with you anymore. No, she's not. Yes, she is. And you can't force her to do that. That's cool. If she wants to leave, that's all right. I mean, she's You can't You can't hold somebody captive in their home, right? >> No, of course not. I mean, emotionally like hurt me that and I'm going to miss her, but She's leaving on her own accord cuz she doesn't want to be here because of what you're doing to her. I'm not like [ __ ] Despite repeated warnings, Tyler stubbornly resisted arrest forcing the police to resort to force, but was the arrest really legal when he was still standing on his own property? It's not trespassing. No, yeah, it's trespassing. That gate's closed. You're on my I have no right to be here. But I'm paying I don't have a right to be here and I Back up. Bro, back up. It's our landlord's property. Back up. And I think Garrett that girl, bro. She doesn't even know it. Back up. >> Bro, don't What is he going to do? Yep, there it is right now. Yep. Put your hands behind your back. I didn't do it. Put your hand behind your back. I need you to go in your house, please. Go in your house. Put your hand behind your back. Go in your house. >> No, what's going on? So, don't involve yourself. Yep. >> You're on my property. Now, you're on their property. Yep. I didn't do anything illegal. Seriously, what we got going on? >> hands behind your back. Dude, you can't even do it. One of you here? He's hurting, bro. He broke through my neighbor's door. You're paying for that. Hey, I didn't do [ __ ] I didn't do anything illegal. No, I didn't. No. I'm still on my property. You're not walking me out on my property. No. I didn't do anything illegal. I didn't do anything illegal. Police confirmed that Tyler showed signs of resistance, clenched his jaw, and clenched his hands into fists, a sign of resistance that could be considered an assault on an officer. The possibility that Tyler was arrested while still on shared rental property raises legal issues about ownership and the right to refuse to cooperate in a welfare check, which could raise questions about citizenship and the legality of the arrest.