Crew cuffed

[servo]

Happened in Memphis while the crew was doing a story on how hard the fire fighters had worked on a 3 alarm fire that had already been put out.

http://www.myeyewitnessnews.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=ab18eec5-f6e9-4c90-a599-8d3c66068385

[1911A1]

Wow.

That Lieutenant seems like a real b*tch.




I guess she was mad at her hairdresser.

[Baltimore Shooter]

More proof that cops are assholes. Give them a badge and a gun and they think they are God.

Warren

[FTOJRLST]

After watching the raw video that they posted on their website it looks like all parties held their composure pretty well. The second cop who the Lt. sent over to make the arrest seemed to be a pretty sympathetic guy.

I feel like the crew was in the right by staying on private property, especially if they had the permission of the property owner AND the fire dept.

The Lt was pretty vague about why they had to leave the property.

[rocky1138]

I'm wondering how much does private property make a difference once the fire department / police are there?

overall I think both the reporter & Lt. were a little bit bitchy. not too much, but still a little bit.

I kinda think if someone said "Luietenant, we have permission from the Chief to be here, if something has changed and you just got done talking with the Chief, please let us know." things would have gone differently

[Chicago Dog]

My favorite part is all the civilians standing around in the same stretch of property on the walk to the car.

More proof that cops are assholes. Give them a badge and a gun and they think they are God.

That's a pretty unfair generalization, Warren. I don't know what they're like where you work, but I've had very few problems with them in my past three markets.

[Freddie Mercury]

Would anybody here expect a different result in the same circumstances? When the crew was ordered repeatedly to pull back by a uniformed officer and repeatedly directly refused, the issue stopped being trespass or permission. The reporter obviously had communicated her side and the officer obviously wasn't changing her mind, so at that point you comply and try to work it out.

You don't stand there and tell a cop they have no authority, because they will then show you that they do, which is what happened. Sorry, no sympathy. We all know you don't play the game that way.

[TexasDave]

I was covering an apartment fire and had permission from the cheif to stand at a certain area to get video. A few of the firefighters were upset, but I explained to them YOUR cheif said I could be here.

Then the biggest firefighter I've seen (I'm 6'1" - 250lbs), who dwarfed me, walked by my an intentionally dropped his shoulder into me as he passed, trying to knock me over and added a rude comment as he passed.

These guys also have a job to do, and while some of them can be asses, for the most part they try to do their job at the best of their ability - sometimes they have the notion that media are evil.

I just ignored this guy and kept shooting. I figured he wasn't hugged enough as a child, and went about my business.

Now, I was in a race riot one - smack dab in the middle (while the reporter fled to the safety and comfort of the news unit), but to be honest, I was more concerned about the police than the rioters! When I turned away from one group to the other, the cops would spray mace - not at me - but only hit the rioters when my camera wasn't on them! The rioters were trying to stay by me knowing they wouldn't get harrassed (as much) when the camera was rolling!

[Land Rover]

When looking at the raw video you can tell that there had been a previous conversation because the Lt. barely got anything out of her mouth about moving and the reporter was already telling her "No". I don't see any reason on the tape as to why they should have been singled out. I've been asked to move before but that was when I was right on top of a scene with a lot going on. I grapped a few shots I needed and then moved back a little. If I saw another crew or the public closer than I was, I moved back up. This doesn't really make sense because the fire was out and they had permission to be there. They stood their ground the way the should have by repeatedly saying they were on private property and they had permission to be there. I've had a similar thing happen a few times but after I said that so-and-so gave me permission and they checked with them, everything was fine. I don't know how Memphis PD works but the charges will most likely be dropped and something said to the officer about dealing with the media.

[Sooner]

Would anybody here expect a different result in the same circumstances? When the crew was ordered repeatedly to pull back by a uniformed officer and repeatedly directly refused, the issue stopped being trespass or permission. The reporter obviously had communicated her side and the officer obviously wasn't changing her mind, so at that point you comply and try to work it out.

You don't stand there and tell a cop they have no authority, because they will then show you that they do, which is what happened. Sorry, no sympathy. We all know you don't play the game that way.

Maybe you don't play that way but we do. We have to or else our rights as journalists get trampled all over here in Memphis. Countless times on scenes the police have moved us back and let the public wander all over. So until you work here and know what it is like, don't tell us how to play "the game". You want to roll over and fetch like a lapdog for your master go ahead, but we won't.

[photogguy]

Would anybody here expect a different result in the same circumstances? When the crew was ordered repeatedly to pull back by a uniformed officer and repeatedly directly refused, the issue stopped being trespass or permission. The reporter obviously had communicated her side and the officer obviously wasn't changing her mind, so at that point you comply and try to work it out.

You don't stand there and tell a cop they have no authority, because they will then show you that they do, which is what happened. Sorry, no sympathy. We all know you don't play the game that way.

Sometimes, you gotta fight the good fight. She had permission of the home owner, of the chief, and wasn't in the way of the FD doing their job. Going to jail on the job is certainly NOT something I'd want to have happen to me, but doing so while "fighting the good fight" would be a good reason to be detained.

[Stoney]

Happened in Memphis while the crew was doing a story on how hard the fire fighters had worked on a 3 alarm fire that had already been put out.

http://www.myeyewitnessnews.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=ab18eec5-f6e9-4c90-a599-8d3c66068385

I think the reporter was being a pain in the ass but a pain in the ass is not grounds for arrest. If that was the case then every guy who got pulled over and complained about getting pulled over would get arrested.

The reporter and shooter were absolutely right to stand ground. They might have handled it better, I bet the cops that came over would have been cool with them stepping back ten feet for a couple minutes to wait for their interview.

But at the end, the crime tape was down, they had permission, nobody was in the way... how can a cop justify moving them?

[Sooner]

They can't, they just get pissy here if you stand up to them when they give you orders for no reason. I had one threaten to arrest me for standing on a sidewalk outside a school to get video of the kids leaving and speeding out of the parking lot. Public sidewalk mind you, and he thought he could tell me to move just because he had a badge. That is the mentality of the authorities. Back to the story at hand, it wasn't even a crime scene it was a fire scene. The FD had control, the cops were just there for traffic.

[BluesDaddy]

What I saw was an argument between the reporter and the Lt. How might it have been different if the reporter had tried (politely)to explain why she thought she should not move, as opposed to just refusing to move? Do I think the cop had any right to ask her to move? Heck no! But you catch more flies with honey. It seems like the reporter's instant, adamant refusal to cooperate put the Lt. in confrontation mode. Cops are not used to having people say "no" to them, even if it's justified.

Edit: I went back and looked at the raw video on the station's website and I think the reporter did do a good job explaining her position. Looks like the cops were over-reacting.

[Sooner]

Good point but this was also at the end of a long day of battling with this Lt. She was rude to all the media from the begining and we kept being pushed further and further back even though none of the chemicals in the fire were putting out anything toxic. It is tough to be polite to someone who has been rude to you all day. And no I wasn't the one cuffed, just in case anyone was wondering.

[cameradog]

So... Did the station just completely drop the story they were there to get?

[Tapeape]

I think the reporter was being a pain in the ass , nobody was in the way... how can a cop justify moving
them?

in my opinion it is our job as journalists to be a pain in the ass when authorities try to violate the public's constitutional rights. The cops had absolutely no authority to kick that crew off of that land. The crew didn't even need permission from the authorities to be there - they had permission from the owner of the private property to be there, and the cops do not have jurisdiction to oppose that unless it is a legitimate active scene.

I would cheerfully go to jail and slap 'em with a lawsuit for false arrest and imprisonment 5 minutes after I got out. Not for the money, but for the lesson that needs to be continually reinforced. A badge means they are supposed to enforce the laws, not violate them.

[A Step Above Productions]

This is happening way to much lately- I don’t know what we can do to stop this from happening… Maybe a “media training” for cops and firefighters?

We still don’t know what the end result was all we know is” Jeni and Eli spent a couple of hours in the back of the police car before they were released.”

Obviously they were not arrested – was there an apology to the crew?

[Sooner]

No apology, just a misdemeanor citation(I hope I spelled that right).

[Baltimore Shooter]

Obviously they were not arrested

It's still unlawful detainment. They did nothing wrong, yet they were still detained.

Warren

[Tapeape]

Obviously they were not arrested

Yes, they were. They may not have been booked into jail or charged with anything, but they were arrested. The legal defintion of arrest is a situation in which the police detain a person in a manner that, to any reasonable person, makes it clear that he or she is not free to leave.

They don't even have to cuff you. If they tell you you aren't allowed to leave, then you have been arrested. That crew was not allowed to leave the cops and go back where they had the right to be, not to mention the fact that they were in fact handcuffed, therefore they were arrested.

False arrest/imprisonment is a misdemeanor. The legal definition is intentionally restraining a person without the legal right to do so. That's what happened here. The cops broke the law, and should be taken to task over it, apology or not.

False arrest is also a tort, which means you can sue for damages if you are falsely arrested.

[Jonathan]

What happened with this situation?

[cameradog]

What happened with this situation?

I think they were arrested, handcuffed and left in the back seat of a police car for a couple of hours.

[A Step Above Productions]

It's still unlawful detainment. They did nothing wrong, yet they were still detained.

Warren

Warren... I know that that is why I said what I said. You like posting just to post? Don't ya?

[A Step Above Productions]

Yes, they were. They may not have been booked into jail or charged with anything, but they were arrested. The legal defintion of arrest is a situation in which the police detain a person in a manner that, to any reasonable person, makes it clear that he or she is not free to leave.

They don't even have to cuff you. If they tell you you aren't allowed to leave, then you have been arrested. That crew was not allowed to leave the cops and go back where they had the right to be, not to mention the fact that they were in fact handcuffed, therefore they were arrested.

False arrest/imprisonment is a misdemeanor. The legal definition is intentionally restraining a person without the legal right to do so. That's what happened here. The cops broke the law, and should be taken to task over it, apology or not.

False arrest is also a tort, which means you can sue for damages if you are falsely arrested.

I agree 1000%!!!!

[punky cameraman]

i think there must be a back story to this situation.

the tv crew is right if they were on private property
(with permission)
but they were also very wrong
if your in handcuffs you can't do your job

for those of you in florida, it is unlawful to disobey a police officer
EVEN if they are wrong.
shoot video of the disagreement but in the end you MUST obey
they know this and can be huge jerks,
the great equalizer is they know we will show the video to their
bosses and our audience

punky

oh, and the cops and firemen can NEVER give you permission to
go onto private property.

[Canonman]

oh, and the cops and firemen can NEVER give you permission to go onto private property.

So by definition, they can NEVER order you to leave private property either. They either have authority, or they don't.

cm

[punky cameraman]

cops can not give you permission to go onto another persons
property.
i think this goes back to a federal case in the mid 90's

and here in florida, they are "IN CHARGE"
moan all you want, but if they are a sworn officer you must obey
them ...... its state law.

of course we could put reporters "in charge" but hell they can't
even find their car keys

sorry if you disagree, but they call them the authorities for a reason

the crew may have been right, but if you find yourself in the back
of a police car your options become very limited.

punky

[Freddie Mercury]

Maybe you don't play that way but we do. We have to or else our rights as journalists get trampled all over here in Memphis. Countless times on scenes the police have moved us back and let the public wander all over. So until you work here and know what it is like, don't tell us how to play "the game". You want to roll over and fetch like a lapdog for your master go ahead, but we won't.

Look, Richard, the permission was from the FD. The order to move back was from a cop. What makes you think the FD trumps the police? So the answer is to refuse to comply and say over and over "I have permission" like some first grader in the hallway. Then it's time to act all shocked when you get cuffed and stuffed. I suppose doing the story about it was another way to say "I'm tellin'!"

The fact that the competition got to shoot there is priceless. My guess is they didn't throw a childish fit when they talked to the cop. Even more priceless was the reporter mentioning that the competition got in. "Waaah! No fair!"

Police are police. Don't give me that "you don't know" BS. It's not my fault you don't have the tact to deal with them without pissing them off so much they won't deal with you.

You say if I follow the orders of police after I have made my case, I'm a fetching lapdog? No, I'm the guy who got to finish his story instead of changing it to a freedom of the press rally so my boss doesn't notice I screwed up getting the story I was assigned.

[Freddie Mercury]

Sometimes, you gotta fight the good fight. She had permission of the home owner, of the chief, and wasn't in the way of the FD doing their job. Going to jail on the job is certainly NOT something I'd want to have happen to me, but doing so while "fighting the good fight" would be a good reason to be detained.

I didn't see this as a good fight, especially since the permission was with the FIRE chief, not police chief.

[servo]

I didn't see this as a good fight, especially since the permission was with the FIRE chief, not police chief.
Freddie Mercury is full of it.

We had to deal with police pushing media back while allowing non-emergency civilian on-lookers behind tape all day. We continued to gather the story we were sent to cover. One crew, nuts and bolts angle, the other, how hard fire crews had worked. The Lt. pushed one last time and we pushed back. We cooperated all day until cooperation was ridiculous. Enough was enough.

Not my problem if Freddie Mercury doesn't appreciate "the good fight". We stood up for his and all our rights as journalists in America. It's not like this was a crime scene with evidence in danger of being damaged. It was a display of professional chauvinism on the part of a Memphis police Lt. who needed to feel powerful.

I'm tired of knowing the law better than the police do. It is not my job to explain it to them. In fact, I had to tell my arresting officer how to spell "photojournalist".

Yes, we were arrested and we will be booked. We were given a citation in lieu of continued custody.

And for your information Freddie, we still made our 5 o'clock live and our wrists are still sore from being cuffed.

Just because you are afraid to stand up to the man, don't take out your insecure resentment on fellow colleagues who stand up for YOUR rights.

Know you rights and stand up for them. Otherwise the man will be in your home telling you what you can and can't do.

Arresting the media is something that happens in China, not America.

[Freddie Mercury]

Look, I watched the video and I don't see heroes there. I see an argument between two people that refuse to be the one to back down, only one of them has the power to arrest and uses it.

Dude, if you had been dealing with them all day, then why would you think just saying you had permission was going to do any good? I'd be interested to know how that pouting match will help me more than if you had taken it to her superiors and tried to get those cops trained on how to deal with the media. Instead you did a "poor me" story during ratings.

"Arresting the media is something that happens in China, not America."

That's a grand statement that is simply untrue. To be true would mean the media are above the law. Is that what you believe?

Look, that was routine stuff that you decided to blow into a big deal, and for all I know you got people up in arms there in Memphis, but I for one did not see that as a critical moment to stand up for the public's right to see sweaty firefighters drinking water and looking awkward because a camera is in their face.

I'll see if I can get you a custom t-shirt printed that says "Freddie Mercury is Full of It" on one side and "Praise Me" on the other.

[Chicago Dog]

And for your information Freddie, we still made our 5 o'clock live ...

This means one of two things:

1. You guys had everything you needed before this entire confrontation. Instead of butting heads with the police, you could've just pulled some names, ranks, and badge numbers and been done with it. Go back to the truck, start editing, and leave the legal stuff to the station's lawyers.

2. Your 5pm hit turned into one big "woe is us" story, completely overshadowing why you were originally sent to the scene. Why would you bother making such a big deal out of getting arrested when the original event is overshadowed by the arrest?

Don't give me that "stepping on our rights" crap. Using that line for a story like this is laughable. There are far more noble reasons to use that line than this lame-ass story. There's better times to use that claim, and it ain't for a story you're not even mentioning past the anchor's lame intro about the nat sound of the cuffs clickin'.

Why is it that whenever this same topic of conversation comes up, all cops suddenly become "assholes" and anyone with any degree of differing opinion suddenly become "spineless cowards?" You're journalists. You'll do well to keep an open mind -- and rational thought.

[Sooner]

Freddy, you are a douche. I can only imagine the wonderful visuals you always provide your station with your shooting from down the street because you are afraid of police. You actually think you have the upper hand here telling someone they were wrong for standing up for their rights? Given the fact that you have only seen the video from the web, you were NOT on the scene the whole day while all this was going down, and have no idea what you are talking about you really should rethink your rant. I think this thread has proven that your thoughts are overwhelmingly in the minority here, your argument is rediculous and you are coming off as spineless know it all. I can hear it now, every time you get to a braking scene and you go to the cops, "Where you want me boss? I don't wanna get in no trouble."

To everyone else who has half a brain and some backbone, thanks for the support for our crew.

Now I will wait for Freddy's brilliant reply.

[servo]

No, this was not an earth shattering story.

Yes it was a routine story about a fire.

Not routine behavior of officials from my 10+ years experience in a city the same size.

I would much rather stand up when I did. Cause a stink. Force some dialogue between the police and media to set grounds and understanding of what is expected instead of dealing with the same situation at a story that has real significance to the public.

Don't claim to be a hero nor want to be. It's just a matter of principle.

This has happened once before to me seven years ago and it did make a difference as to how a certain sheriff's dept. handled the media. And it was for the better.

I don't care where the cops push us back. Just don't keep me from the general public because I AM the general public. DO NOT single me out because I have a camera on my shoulder.

On that day, the Lt. wanted us further back (where she was pointing) than where the general public was.

Freddie, I feel sorry for your reporter if they ever get bullied around by cops and your reporter has any principles at all and stands up to them. The reporter will be left all alone while you high-tail it across the street brown-nosing your cop buddies.

Now get back to class little boy and do you assignment.

[bigdoggold]

I think the whole situation is out of control. How can the cops feel they need to arrest a crew when they are not doing anything wrong. I just don't get what the problem is with cops and the media. It's as if when a crew shows up they need to make sure we remember they are the cops.

All in all what a bad situation..props to the Photographer for rolling trough out the whole event!!!

[servo]

About the shirt freddie...you bastardize a great singer's name with the thoughts you post. But maybe we should ban the selling of queen music since Freddie Mercury was gay and that is "immoral".
That would be wrong though. Where do you draw the line?
And yes, I said you are full of it, I never said praise me...that came from you.

[Freddie Mercury]

Freddy, you are a douche.

Brilliant reply!

I can only imagine the wonderful visuals you always provide your station with your shooting from down the street because you are afraid of police.

Sitting in the back of a police car, that's exactly all you can do: Imagine, as I, a member of the other crew allowed into the scene you were just kicked out of, get all the shots I want because I don't have cop rage.

You actually think you have the upper hand here telling someone they were wrong for standing up for their rights? Given the fact that you have only seen the video from the web, you were NOT on the scene the whole day while all this was going down, and have no idea what you are talking about you really should rethink your rant.

Okay, I will. Hmmm. Hmmm. Nope, I stand behind everything I've said.

I think this thread has proven that your thoughts are overwhelmingly in the minority here, your argument is rediculous and you are coming off as spineless know it all. I can hear it now, every time you get to a braking scene and you go to the cops, "Where you want me boss? I don't wanna get in no trouble."

I'm not worried about being in the minority. My validation comes from what I know, not what others think.

To everyone else who has half a brain and some backbone, thanks for the support for our crew.

Let it be known people with half a brain support Sooner.

Now I will wait for Freddy's brilliant reply.

I'm working on it. I guess I better use the word douche if I want to seem really sharp.

[Freddie Mercury]

Servo,

Your post about don't claim to be a hero: You're right. You never claimed that, I made that jump and it was inaccurate.

That stuff about the shirt, Freddie Mercury and being gay....I have no idea what your point is. I will say you are taking it awfully hard that someone you have never met and know nothing about has a different opinion from you.

[Chicago Dog]

What did the 5pm story involve? Was it about the crew's arrest or was it about the original event they were sent to cover?

[servo]

The lead was about the fire...nuts and bolts. we were second and it showed what had happened to us.
Hell, I wanted to turn a nice nppa styled piece about the fire fighters sweating it out on the first hot day of the year at the first big fire of the year.
I had all sorts of nice action shots of fire fighters breaking down after the fire was out. I was 20 feet from the burned building with fire fighters joking with me, me joking back. Good nats, Fire chief saw me there, had even told me I was allowed to get all up in there.
It was when we pulled back and started shooting resting fighters, a couple of hundered feet away from said building when the police lt. noticed us and decided she wanted us out.

[Chicago Dog]

So, you had everything you needed but still fought with police anyway?

Did the fact that you spent a couple hours in the back of a cop car put the skids on a "nice NPPA piece?" I hate to say it, but sitting back there with cuffs on did nothing for "principle." Why not just let the lawyers worry about it? You get the exact same result.

[servo]

No, we did not have everything we needed.
We still needed to interview fire fighters.....
I think sitting in the back of the car is stupid, but I was not going to leave my reporter to hang out to dry and I agreed with her. I DO wish it never happened but it did.
There were just way to many inconsistencies of who was allowed where.

One question. If you saw the competition at a place where you were told you could not get, what would you do?
When I said something about it, I immediately got a face full of screaming orders of how he was not going to deal with me.
That is how the day began.
So, could it all have been handled better, differently? Yes.
It was all BS, but I don't regret it. I just want some dialogue between the cops and media to come from this.
Like I said before...deal with it now than miss a real story of consequence due to the same crap.

It's my off day and I'm going to get away from this for a bit. Have a smoke and think of something to cook.

[Sooner]

Hey Freddy, can you go get that ribbon cutting dowtown for me? Remember, lots of wide shots from across the street cause that's how we roll man. Douche.

Your friend Richard(but you can call me Dick)

And to those who ask was it worth it, it's always worth it when dealing with cops who don't get it. Not all the cops in Memphis are like this but the ones that are seem to show up more than those that aren't. The top brass knows the rules but the problem is you have a force made up from a population that is poorly educated and they grow up thinking a badge gives them absolute authority. Every few months we have a major issue involving access to a scene and if we don't fight it every time, the problem only grows. Maybe Freddy works in a town where the police and media get along like Ken and Barby, but he doesn't work here so he has no clue what he saying, nor does anyone else who hasn't seen the MPD in all it's glory. Know your rights, stand up for them, and make it better for all of us.

[thru-the-lens]

As I watched the tape, I got the feeling that the reporter was searching for a name to give the cop as to who gave them permission to shoot in that area.

She came across to me on tape as if she was just seeking the name of some chief...any chief who could have given them the ok. Never once did I hear her say anything close to "Chief Smith gave us the ok." or "Chief Smith is right over there could you check with him? He is right there." "Hello Chief Smith over here!!! Help!"

The private property argument I'll take their word for it. From what I heard of the Memphis market it seems that the city and media have many issues to say the least.

thru the lens.

[Sooner]

I just realized I have posted more on here in the last two days than I have in about the last year. That's it I'm outta here!

[tvguide]

There's an old cop saying...."you might beat the rap, but you won't beat the ride" The bottom line is, stand up for your rights, tell the cop you'll be filing a complaint with their office of professional responsibility and don't get arrested. You can't file your story from the back of a police car.

[thru-the-lens]

I just realized I have posted more on here in the last two days than I have in about the last year. That's it I'm outta here!


Sooner, Thank you for your input on the real story. Hope you don't run off for good. I hope that somehow the relations between the city/police/ fire/ and media improve in Shelby County Tennessee!

thru-the-lens.

[morning mayhem]

I think the NPPA is the problem. I think their seminars must blow up the attendees egos so big that they think they should be untouchable when doing their high and mighty job. I'm sure you had plenty of tape to tell your story . . . you just got sucked in to a pissing match that you weren't going to win. In many places the fire dept. and the police dept. don't get along well. Thus, the Lt. probably didn't care what the fire chief said. It might suck, but you should have just walked away from this one. Sitting in the squad car did no one any good. There are times to stand up and fight but I don't think this was one of them.

[BluesDaddy]

some power hungry cop who without affirmitive action would be cleaning my house
:mad:
Sorry, you lose. That's out of line and negates the rest of your post.

[Freddie Mercury]

Hey Freddy, can you go get that ribbon cutting dowtown for me? Remember, lots of wide shots from across the street cause that's how we roll man. Douche.

Even more poignant the second time. Well crafted.

Your friend Richard(but you can call me Dick)

I honestly didn't think you would get that. :D

And to those who ask was it worth it, it's always worth it when dealing with cops who don't get it. Not all the cops in Memphis are like this but the ones that are seem to show up more than those that aren't. The top brass knows the rules but the problem is you have a force made up from a population that is poorly educated and they grow up thinking a badge gives them absolute authority. Every few months we have a major issue involving access to a scene and if we don't fight it every time, the problem only grows.

You can't convince me that Memphis PD is so unique that no non-Memphian could understand your problem.

Your assumption that I have a love fest going with the police is wrong. By the definition given in this thread, I have been arrested for not obeying commands of the police on more than one occassion, though never handcuffed.

Those occassions were all a long time ago, because I learned that the best way to get what I wanted was not going to be by getting up in somebody's face and telling them how wrong they are. That will get you the same reaction that I am getting from you and Servo now for telling you how wrong I think you are. Lucky for me you have nothing I want.

I'm not saying kiss their butts or bow down before them. You can disagree, but as soon as you get hostile or tell them they are wrong, you have pretty much slammed the door on a reasonable response or getting your way. Being calm, rational and respectful (I know you think that's submitting to slavery) gets so much better results, and almost never ends with an arrest or story about how unfair the police are.

Maybe Freddy works in a town where the police and media get along like Ken and Barby, but he doesn't work here so he has no clue what he saying, nor does anyone else who hasn't seen the MPD in all it's glory. Know your rights, stand up for them, and make it better for all of us.

Yeah, yeah. It's a whole other world there in Memphis. No mere mortal could understand. You said that before. Enjoy your confrontations...and your ribbon cuttings.

[Freddie Mercury]

For starters I think the reporter was an over bearing, mouthy, annoying gnat. Having said that, and I wasn't there and saw whatever preceeded this, there is no way in hell I would have budged willingly from private property I had been given permission to be on OUT of a crime scene and out of danger where the public was allowed to be. To think otherwise and play "the game," that includes giving up the rights damn good people have died for and ARE dying for TODAY, is completely assinine. You might play under someone elses rules but I live in the United States of America and I'll be damned if I let some power hungry cop who without affirmitive action would be cleaning my house take my rights away from me to make my living. I applaud the anchors words in saying they aren't going to take this lying down. Most local stations today are like your comments, candy ass, lame, and counter productive. Should the reporter have been more cool about it, YES. Should that reporters snippy attitude have caused her to be unlawfully detained, NO. Did it ? Probably. Happened to me once. I was very cool about my doings and respectfully refused to obey an unlawful order. I was arrested while this was all caught on tape (thank god) and spent 2 hours in jail. Final outcome was I sued the city for a silly amount of money and settled for $13 grand. I would have preferred to go about my job as I was doing in a lawful manner and have a police dept. professional not hinder my rights. But thats not how things work today. You lay down and succome to the power hungry who if given the opportunity will do as a cop what they couln't do otherwise and they will. Not on my watch. My camera does not give you the right to treat me as though we are in a 3rd world country under marshal law. If you don't fight for your rights, you deserve what you get.

This is getting old. I will leave it at this: My threshold is lower than yours on what is worth getting arrested over. Calling my comments candy ass, lame and counter productive tells me you are either assuming things about what I said that are wrong, or that you are idealistic to the point that it is probably very hard for you to get through the day without a good fight.

That's about all the response I'm going to give the racist.

[Tippster]

Wait - did the property owner give permission to be on private property, or did the "Chief?"

[Land Rover]

Wait - did the property owner give permission to be on private property, or did the "Chief?"

I was wondering the same thing myself.

[Freddie Mercury]

From Firefightingnews.com (http://www.firefightingnews.com/article-US.cfm?articleID=30470):

A television reporter, Channel 24's Jeni DiPrizio, was arrested and charged with disobeying the command of a law enforcement officer, Memphis Police Department spokesman Sgt. Vince Higgins said.

Officers said the reporter refused to leave an area where firefighters were recovering from the heat and fatigue. Fire officials asked police to arrest her. The charge is a misdemeanor.

[bluffton]

This whole notion of standing up for your rights is just a pipedream. Give me a break. I get paid to tell a story, and cops get paid to arrest people who don't obey authority. Their lawyers and our lawyers get paid to litigate the 1st amendment. Sure, you have rights to do your job, but I bet the cops have more to do theirs.

I do not disagree with your stance. I disagree with you when you weren't standing anymore (rather sitting in the car.) Why? I get paid to tell stories not sit in the back of a cruiser.

Really, you did the right thing by rolling the whole time, a lot of guys freak out an punch out. But, as for being arrested, the video became useless to me when I didn't see the reporter being cuffed and stuffed in the car. That would be the proof you need to win in court. PROOF!!! How do I (think as a jury) know that either of you were really detained?

You made mention of doing some type of "NPPA" story... typical stories (I've seen) usually win when the crew had some type of obstacle to overcome...like I don't know... an overbearing cop being around.

All the crap before was just that, arrogant egotistical crap that happens during most peoples family reunions.

This is a great post, I liked the "spirit" until the name calling. I wish I remember who wrote this, "I'm glad my 5yr old doesn't stand next to me as I read this site."

Go forth and show news, don't be the news.

-tony

[cameradog]

I think if I were in Servo's position, I would be somewhat angry at that reporter for handling the situation so poorly and getting me arrested. It's pretty clear she was looking for a fight. If you guys try to sue the city and end up showing that tape to a jury, you're not going to get their sympathy. At best they'll agree that a tort existed in principle and award you a dollar for your trouble.

Personally, I love it when the competition has a reporter or photog like this. They draw the cops' attention, and the rest of us get to go about our business in perfect peace while they're distracted. The uglier they act, the better.

Once I even showed up as second camera on an accident scene where my own chief decided to be the asshole. For whatever reason, he went right for the confrontation, setting up in a very inconvenient spot where he would draw the most attention from the cops, then getting in one guy's face when he was told to move. While everyone's attention was on him lecturing them on his First Amendment rights, I literally walked right past them to a spot that was closer to the accident, got my video and was never hassled AT ALL.

He ended up using my video.

[punky cameraman]

i'm concerned that in the "corporate climate" most of us live in
that there will be little if any support for us making
a principled stand

i'm afraid most of us are expendable
and our corporate bosses have no taste to fight the good fight.

so, guys.... gals ...... be careful out there
these days you MUST do what is right for yourself.
roll on everything ...... in the end this is what will protect you.

punky

[ewink]

cops can not give you permission to go onto another persons
property.
i think this goes back to a federal case in the mid 90's

and here in florida, they are "IN CHARGE"
moan all you want, but if they are a sworn officer you must obey
them ...... its state law.

of course we could put reporters "in charge" but hell they can't
even find their car keys

sorry if you disagree, but they call them the authorities for a reason

the crew may have been right, but if you find yourself in the back
of a police car your options become very limited.

punky

You never ever have to obey an unlawful order of a police officer. They may arrest you, but you will win in the end. If a police officer in Florida orders you to kill the person standing next to you, will you do it?

You may consider that an extreme example, but I don't. The principle is the same. Ordering the media to move from a location that is not in a crime scene and not interfering with the fire department and is not violating the law otherwise is illegal.

As for Freddy, I've asked this before, but when is it worth it? It's just a fire... It's just a car accident... What kind of story is necessary for you to stand up for your rights?

Yeah, you got some killer video of an extinguished fire while the other guys were in the back of a police car, but their pending lawsuit forces the reeducation of the police and policy changes to ensure your rights aren't trampled on in the future.

I know who I think had a more productive day.

I'm guilty myself of complying with illegal orders, so I am really not one to preach. But don't rag on these guys for doing what we should all be proud of them doing, and that's standing up for not only their rights but the rights of all press in Memphis.

If you want to rollover and do as your told, fine. But law off that crew. They were 100% in the right. And I hope like hell they sue the crap out of MPD because the ONLY way you are going to get justice and any kind of change from a government agency is to hit them in the wallet.

[leftcoastphotog]

I am with servo. If not this time then next? Or when? We have our rights and obligations.
Funny as I get more pissed off re: cops actions more and more seem to happen. I am full of respect for our men and women in blue. However, there is a line which should not be crossed. not now not on 9-10-01. Don't let go now because it will be so hard to get back.
as a reporter i worked with used to sign off on her emails
"yours in the fight"
Lcp

[natspop]

I couldn't agree with lake4 any more than I do. Standing up for rights that cannot be taken away from you isn't a right, it's an obligation. Better men and women than any of us have died fighting for your right to do your job without having to deal with some power hungry nitwit like that cop. If you don't have the backbone to march forward in the face of those who disagree with your right to do what you are paid to do, this isn't the business to get into. How many times has someone tried to stop you from getting a shot, or worse took a swing at you or spit in your direction and did you stop ? If you did you aren't likely reading this or in this business. Pick and choose your fight is a good way to do business. This reporter picked hers and who are we to say she shouldn't have ? I support my fellow colleagues who take the fight for our right to do our job. She has more backbone than I see in this thread thats for damn sure. (although I would suggest she cut back on the caffiene)

[Freddie Mercury]

You never ever have to obey an unlawful order of a police officer. They may arrest you, but you will win in the end.

As for Freddy, I've asked this before, but when is it worth it? It's just a fire... It's just a car accident... What kind of story is necessary for you to stand up for your rights?

Yeah, you got some killer video of an extinguished fire while the other guys were in the back of a police car, but their pending lawsuit forces the reeducation of the police and policy changes to ensure your rights aren't trampled on in the future.

I know who I think had a more productive day.

I'm guilty myself of complying with illegal orders, so I am really not one to preach. But don't rag on these guys for doing what we should all be proud of them doing, and that's standing up for not only their rights but the rights of all press in Memphis.

If you want to rollover and do as your told, fine. But law off that crew. They were 100% in the right. And I hope like hell they sue the crap out of MPD because the ONLY way you are going to get justice and any kind of change from a government agency is to hit them in the wallet.

It's Freddie, but whatever. Point of clarity: I didn't really shoot that fire scene. That was just an example. (You probably already knew that)

One thing I think we are seeing differently: That the cop's order was categorically unlawful. I do not think that is clear at all. Maybe someone who was there can clear that up. There is a big difference between unlawful and unfair. Police are not required to be fair.

I am talking about at the moment the reporter chose to make her stand, was that area off-limits to the general public? In the video I didn't see anybody that didn't look like they were part of the operation in that area. I'm not talking about a taped-off area, because it doesn't have to be taped for them to keep the public out.

This is an important point, because if the last few posts here are arguing that we need to demand at every police/fire event that we be allowed inside the scene or arrest us, then we have some VERY different ideas about what the good fight is.

I like how you admitted you comply when given an order by police, then referred to my doing that as "rolling over". I suppose when you comply it's with more dignity than when I do.

BTW, did anyone else find it odd that the article only mentioned the reporter's arrest and not the photographer? No respect, I tells ya.

[Sooner]

(although I would suggest she cut back on the caffiene)

You have no idea how funny that is because it is so true.
And take it easy on Freddy boys. He's just a poor boy and nobody loves him.(I couldn't resist)
All this talk about what should or shouldn't have been done is really armchair QBing the whole thing. Unless you were that crew, that day, dealing with those circumstances then you really don't know how you would have reacted. To all the elitist posters who keep going on about missing the story because they were in custody, there were two crews there so we missed nothing. Is it okay that they stood up for themselves now? I hope none of us has to go through this kind of crap but to those of you who have and have had similar outcomes, much respect(even you Freddy). But to tell Servo he was wrong to fight when he did is disrespectful to him and the rest of us who may have gone through this kind of stuff. It is nobody's place to tell him when he should or should not stand up for himself. He is a big boy and can make that descision on his own.

[Freddie Mercury]

I'm willing to pull the shroud over this one. It's been fun, and I got caught up in the sport of it. No hard feelings here. Let us know how it turns out.

[schlagdrg]

This is not a b/w issue. There are no right or wrong ways to handle the situation. I've been shooting either still or video for over 20 years. My philosophy is to cover the story and not end up being the story. Oh, I've been arrested for not "complying" with a police officer. What good did it do? My pictures never ran in the newspaper and he was demoted, excuse me, transferred to traffic from patrol. I ended up with a mild concussion and broken camera equipment and $4000 in legal fees. I was a freelancer, no help from the NPPA or the major daily that I freelanced for. We both lost.

Fifteen years later, I work the overnight shift in a top 20 market. I like the work and independence. But my job is to cover the story and 99.98% of what I shoot is crime scene. If I can see it, I can shoot it. That is what tripods and and gain are for.

Frequently, I arrive on scene just as the police are arriving. It's very frentic and sometimes hazardous. I know my limitations and they understand my job. It's a symbiotic relationship. But we coexsist. It's not perfect, but it works.

This has led me to get some amazing video. Showing some of the heroic efforts of police, fire and ems. Earlier this week, a deputy witnessed a car crashing into a canal. Four deputies dove into this canal, not caring about the gators or snakes and pulled the victim out and did CPR until he was transported. Unfortunately the guy didn't make it, but it was a good story. Because of the respect for each other, we were able to interview the deputies involved.

But if you get into a pissing match all time, they're just going to push that yellow tape farther and farther away, until we won't be able to see the scene at all. That hurts all involved. They know we are under the gun and have strict deadlines. They are there to keep the "peace", "preserve law and order" and all that other...

I've guest lectured at several sheriff's commmand courses on media relations. We both learned a lot from each other. I let them play with my betacam, and put them through mock interviews. Showed them the live truck, and made them aware of "Look up and Live" issues.

Maybe the best course of action is for the parties involved to meet together, find out why they were being asked to move back. It could be as simple as the firefighters wanted a little bit of privacy, and didn't want to be shown on TV laying down. But we will never know, the only video I saw was the confrontation. It made for "good TV". Maybe, someone could suggest that local media be involved in training classes at the academy or command courses.

No disrespect for the crew up in Memphis, I wasn't in your shoes and do not know the history of police/media relations up there. I just consider myself lucky, these are the easiest dealings I've ever had with my local police. And I don't want to jeopardize them.

Overnight Crime Scene Photographer aka TV News PhotoJournalist

[servo]

Hey guys, the link to the video of this is gone but for all of you who posted, here's an update.
Charges were dropped. Woo hoo.......

[slayer]

Most of you guys know what kind of dicks these guys are. We deal with them daily. They don't respect us or what we do. **** them. Warren is right, they are assholes.