4/11/2011 Clearwater PD CONFRONTATION w/ CCPA COPWATCHERS

[fkerpants]

If any cops see this video and have a problem with people videotaping them, here's a word to think about:

Cope.

You're public servants, you use enormous resources, you drive very visible vehicles and we have a right to film you. Remember that word next time you see someone with a camera.

Cope.

[todddguillory]

Asshole cops

[crytoyourmom]

lol low lives like you guys wana act like you know the law and ask questions like are you being detained. if not i have the right to leave. but when the cop says hes stopping and questioning you. you got shook and decided to leave. lol. i gotta say im impressed with the way the cops handled you 2. most of the time its the people recording who makes the cops and authorities speechless. now its you guys just walking the other way

[ltajambi]

@crytoyourmom Its clear that the police were trying to escalate the situation and be confrontational. These guys defused the situation while still holding their ground. So much for "peace officers" trying to start a fight.

[jvangel]

It's amazing how small the cops dicks are.

Control and Intimidate,.....that's what they do.

[fyadcorp]

I like this. You didn't divulge any information (maintaining your right to remain silent), you didn't try to reason or argue with the police as most photographers/videographers do. You didn't wimp out and you asserted your rights.

There are countless examples of photographers and videographers on Youtube trying to reason with the police and it never works--they need to learn when to shut the hell up and assert their rights in a more productive manner.

[Mannysorude]

CPD the real criminals

[rvhawkeye]

Now they will be following you

[jtsoup01]

I have had my rights violated by clearwater cops! They illegally searched and seized my property! Then they made up bogus charges, one of which implied I provided my legally owned and stowed firearms (found during warrant-less search) to a felon! Their own DNA testing of those weapons at tax payer expense proved them to be liars! CPD in my opinion and experience is corrupt, and they violate their oaths everyday!

[todddguillory]

Great job men. Thanks for your work. Government is out of control.

[jdizzilicious]

HOWZ THAT FAGGOT COP "DI D U GET MY GOOD SIDE"...OOO YOU HAVE ONE OF THOSE

[tippycrow379]

What a couple of losers. I remember when I had my first beer.

[ohannahdad]

@tippycrow379 By your comment, it sounds like you never stopped after that "first" beer. You do realize; ...don't you...that these two "losers" are defending constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens, while you talk beer and criticize them. Who is the real loser here?? Cops don't like cameras, open carry (where practiced) and people that know more about law than then do!! There are many good cops. There are many ass holes in uniform. You just saw two of the ass holes in uniform.

[IKeepBadCompany]

Why do you keep calling them "sir" even while they're being assholes to you? You can be polite without kissing their ass. Using "sir" implies respect. Respect should be earned and not automatically given.

[GetsumJ]

Seems like a bunch of idiots have a problem with you recording our tax dollars at work. Don't defend yourself to these people who are trying to impress others by attacking what you do. Cops violate the fourth amendment daily. In the end, they are nothing but state "Union" employees. And if anyone needs to be filmed, Cops would be first on my list. I personally use a GoPro Hero2 in front, and back with a relay switch. I've beat the Secret Service twice, the DOT many times, and locals,I lost count

[ranseed1]

You guys need to stand by your rights and your beliefs. You open the can of worms by video recording and then do nothing to observe your rights. The cops are clearly in the wrong and I wish you have stood your ground.

[Harv7340]

paperwork, common law, uniform commercial code, oaths, jurisdiction, constitution, bill of rights, blacks law dictionary, inalienable/unalienable, freeman, human, civil & criminal, sovereign, acts, statutes, legislation & so on, are they not all hearsay, fictitious & ambiguous?, isn't it just a meeting of the minds?....type in imbatman57 in youtube & talkshoe.com

[PaulinaPaulino]

I live right by East Bay and Belcher, so this incident took place about 3 miles from my home. I have nothing but admiration for the police, however, I also have a deep respect for the US Constitution, and to turn the phrase around that cops always use "If the cops have nothing to hide, why won't they consent to a little filming?"

[karatekid1029]

Ass hole. Not all cops are bad. And CPD is a damn fine police department. Go down and film and P Park police or Largo polcie if you wanna see fucked up shit. Or stay in Tarpon. I know a few good officers there but still.

[kendallnavstar]

Good job, Guys!!! I wish we had brave people like you where I live.

[blacknationalsparty]

Well done, the cops want to enter you into the system so they can blame you for a crime later one. Keep up the good work

[kendallnavstar]

Why do you never show their faces? Be bold!!! Get your nuts up!!! And stop answering their questions!!!

[flat6quattro]

The militant police mindset in the tampa area is ridiculous. I'm moving back to California. The cops there aren't any better, but at least there's more people to distract their attention away from destroying my rights.

[cockyhemi]

The cops should have never made contact with these people, the cops are the retards as usual. Does anyone know what a fucking PUBLIC SERVANT is? They have every right to film the police and the police have no right to accost and ask for I.D. Case closed. This may not be what you would do on your free time, but I'm glad someone is watching these untrustworthy PUBLIC SERVANTS.

[candlstudios]

I love how they wouldn't actually tell you if you were being detained.

I also love how cops try to make you feel bad when you won't I.D. yourself.

"We have a form we have to fill out and it has a space for your name."

Like I'm supposed to feel bad that their form won't have my name on it.

[tampabaynews]

Since when did cameras kill the police? Never. So shut up with the cops keeping us safe. These guys were not a threat to the police whatsoever. The police approached them because they did not like being on camera. Everyone has the right to videotape whatever they want in public, even the police whether they like it or not, end of story. Do they still teach government class in high school? Guess not considering the idiotic comments from people who have zero idea what they're talking about.

[ccpafl]

@JJBIOPET By the way you addressed your feelings so vilely toward us, I'd say you were the ignorant one. Thanks for watching!

[forthedefence81]

1 of 2

@ccpafl

I'm a supporter of everybody willing to grab a video camera and record the police. However, I hope that you and your associates are working on "upping your game" in the course of these activities.

I'm not particularly criticizing you guys for anything in this video as I know how difficult it can be to stay calm when the police are playing the intimidation game. However, if you're going to be effective you MUST learn the federal and state court rulings that cover your activity.

[forthedefence81]

2 of 2

@ccpafl

You need to not only learn them, but in fact memorize their major points and be able to recite their names and major points off the top of your head - if you want to be most effective.

In particular you need to know Terry v. Ohio's standard for reasonable suspicion to stop and detain (one of about three you should learn) as well as the FL Supreme Court's holding(s) regarding FL's wiretapping statute and an officer's reasonable expectation of privacy.

Good luck and good videoing.

[dix6610]

@ccpafl Why do you shoot, for whom? ...It's just improving your self-esteem in your head. just pointless. the police shall carry out its work. When you for example would be to Rob or beat you too will be able to shoot police officers.

[johnsstime]

@JJBIOPET Not only have 'they' proved to be far more educated than you in the field of law, they've proven to be far more intellectual and cordial. Congratulations for spewing your half-witted garbage for the entire world to see. Take a little of your own advice, and stop e-raging on videos pertaining topics you're painfully ignorant on - dedicate your time to something positive, eh?

[jvangel]

@JJBIOPET you are you idiot ! If it wasn't for these folks video taping bad police (probably you) then they would never be fired ! : )

[electrictroy2010]

@JJBIOPET Actually I'd have to say YOU are the ignorant one. The US has a long history of imprisoning innocent persons. They committed no crime except having grandparents who came from Japan so the Government forced them into prisons during WW2.

.

And of course there's the Indians that were screwed. Also the 50s-era blacks that were experimented upon (radiation exposure) without their knowledge.. So NO we don't trust cops and neither should you Mr. Ignorant

.

[akaknocksville]

@JJBIOPET IT`S CALLED THE 1ST AND 4TH AMENDMENT LOOK IT UP DUMBASS !!

[nextdimensions]

It's interesting to see how threatened they feel by a camera and someone not wanting to give more information other than a first name.

[roaringwaterbay]

@nextdimensions they get nervous when citizens exercise their rights. the goon squad expects everyone to roll over.

[AverageGangster]

Hey why are you recording the police anyways. Clearwater cops are some of the nicest cops around and if you work with them they will work with you. Are you just trying to piss them off?? Police are here to protect us and keep peace Not for people to record and piss them off.

[nextdimensions]

@AverageGangster <<<< Man these sock puppet accounts are just too funny any more.

[luckyglasspig]

@AverageGangster The police are not here to protect us, they are here to serve the interest of government. Those who trade freedom for comfort deserve neither.. Protect yourself and stop relying on police.

[MrCarl220]

@AverageGangster They just get pissed off because people have the guts to exercise their rights, and know they can't be manipulated. These officers may not have been that bad, I'll give you that, but you've been missing a lot if you believe cops shouldn't be watched and held accountable!

[TheScottb2007]

that chinese cop is the biggist asshole good job fellaz

[cheesemiste]

you guys handle police well ;)

[that1pin]

I honestly think that you(ccpa) should find something better to do. Go get a education and a career job. These Officers are doing their duty to protect and serve us(citizens) from the criminals out in the streets. how would you like it if I went to your place of employment and filmed you at work like a lab rat. If you are so interested in law enforcement, why dont you just become a cop? I have never heard of any officer abuse their power on citizens. so just grow up son, get your GED and a job.

[ccpafl]

@that1pin First of all, both William and I are in college, I am pursuing a master in Economics, and WIlliam goes to St. Pete College. I work full time, and so does William, and I personally have been working since I was 14 years old. The fear mongering you portray in your comment is exactly the problem we have in society today. Why does the US have 3% of the world's population and 25% of the world's jail population? Is it we are a bad nation, or is it something else? We must get out of this fear

[ccpafl]

@that1pin And sir, I am unaware where you work, but I have security cameras all over my job, and if i as much as drop something, someone notices and I am written up. The CPD and TSPD both refuse dash cams in many cases, so where is the accountability that is provided in nearly every other profession. And I am not becoming a police officer, personally I disagree with many of the laws. The purpose of this is not merely interest, but it is a genuine attempt to keep the police accountable.

[ccpafl]

@that1pin @that1pin And as far as no officer ever abusing the rights of citizens:

Our own encounter in January of 2011, 2 New Orleans Police officers just convicted of Civil Rights Violations, Officer charged with assault after kicking citizens in San Fransisco, Chicago Police officers arrested for robbing citizens, And arrest of San Fransisco man after refusing to hand over video. By the way, these are news stories from the past 4 days, so please research before making rash statements.

[luckyglasspig]

@that1pin Public officials in public.. You have the right to film them. End of story. stop being a troll.

[akaknocksville]

@that1pin it`s called the 1st and 4th amendment asshole look it up !!

[gregrocks66]

@that1pin It is a hobby to film police, just like it is a hobby o me to film trains, When I get a job at the rail road, I want to be filmed. Filming an officer might even help as evidence if they were in a fight with a suspect

[amaturemusicians]

@that1pin fuck those cops



[sazxus]

William you are a tool. If i ever meet you ill give you the surprise them cops wanted to give you.

Let them do their jobs and stop being a fkn moron .

[ccpafl]

@sazxus I'm sorry you've got such a poor intellect and logical ability that you revert to name calling instead of producing an insightful argument as to why you disagree with what we do. Perhaps you're projecting your own insecurities? Thanks for watching!

[sazxus]

@ccpafl I hope your balls die. oops. by the way you ran off I doubt there's any chance of that possibility.

[NavyMACChief]

lol, Confrontational?! Sounds like someone may be just a bit sheltered. This is not confrontational...but that comes from someone whose been in combat and patrolled the Middle East and Afghanistan.

Actually, CPD is quite professional and exercise restraint...more so than others I've seen. The community is fortunate to have 'em.

PDs in this country already have "accountability"....and more so than most organizations or professions. Join em or thank em...but this is un-classy entertainment.

[ccpafl]

@NavyMACChief First of all, the purpose of this video, and any of our other videos are not intended for entertainment value. In fact, most of our videos are pretty boring if you wanted to look at it from that perspective, and that is because we are filming, for the most part, are genuine officers doing genuine work. After we politely informed these fellows of our purpose in filming them, they continued to instigate a verbal confrontation. (continued)

[ccpafl]

@NavyMACChief At that point we walked away, and they persistently called after us. I never alleged that the CPD was an unprofessional organization, and I wouldn't even say that the officers conduct was unprofessional in the standard of modern policing, i.e. guilty until proven innocent. I think this video serves as a statement on the police state this country has become. (continued)

[ccpafl]

@NavyMACChief And as a military person who (I am assuming) feels that they have served to protect our freedom, I would think you would be outraged at the fact that people in this country are made to identify themselves to police officers with no reasonable suspicion of criminal activity; that we're under constant scrutiny in our completely lawful comings and goings; that we're made to feel obligated or even forced to give consent for police to search our persons, possessions and vehicles.

[ccpafl]

@NavyMACChief It was extremely difficult for us to walk away from these officers who were engaging us, even as we weren't detained and free to go at any time. Imagine how it might feel for somebody actually detained at a traffic stop for a simple driving infraction, and a couple of officers were using the same tone and demeanor as these guys did trying to get them to consent to a search.

[NavyMACChief]

@ccpafl Yes, I served the nation for more than 26 years. I also had the opportunity to go all over the globe. No, I'm not outraged that the officers made you identify yourselves...because they did not. Nor did it appear 'difficult' to walk away from the officers. Difficult was walking away from military police stopping us in the airport in Kampala. US cops get complaints often & are held to a higher standard for such little $. We should be thanking them, not looking to demonize them like this

[ccpafl]

@NavyMACChief Police officers are not held to a higher standard, I am sorry. The execution of Oscar Grant is a great example. And with all due respect sir, you should understand American liberty and the thoughts of our founding fathers when it came to questioning government and public officials. Police ARE public officials, and we are not looking to demonize them, but put them under the same scrutiny as those in public office. Look at our other videos, we have positive ones too. I was never in t

[ccpafl]

he military in Kampala, but this is the United States, where the police are to protect and serve, not work to identify us and put us under scrutiny for monitoring their activities. I mean, we do pay their salaries, they do answer to us. Why trust the FDLE or the IA officers? They do not see the streets as the citizens do. And that is our job, to monitor the streets and the actions of officers, so we can then hold them accountable within the bureaucratic system. Videos do not lie.

[ccpafl]

@NavyMACChief You say that police organizations have plenty of “accountability”, but what you’ll see in our videos is what won’t always be presented in an Internal Affairs report, an FDLE investigation, or on a hard-hitting investigative T.V. news report. What you’re seeing is raw, candid interaction between police and citizenry on the streets, and I dare you to find something less convoluted and more revealing than that.

[truhbob]

Get in touch with me.  See my dot com web site

Bob Hurt

[dozr1646]

I didn't see much of a confrontation??? They asked for info and you left. Where is the confrontation? Police asking you for identification is a confrontation? I actually thought these guys were pretty polite and not aggressive at all. You didn't?

[ccpafl]

@dozr1646 I consider it aggressive and confrontational to continue to try and get somebody to do something they don't want to do. For example, a panhandler is asking you for money. You refuse. He continues to chip away at you and you turn around to leave. As you walk away he continues to try and make you feel obligated to come back, yelling, "C'mon, can I get some money?". Granted it's easier to walk away from a panhandler than a figure of authority. And that’s exactly what makes this an issue.

[JPGreenstein]

So, it's legal to initially film a police officer or anyone without their consent?

[ccpafl]

@JPGreenstein Depending on the state you live in an where you are filming. We are in Florida, and Florida law states that you must have consent unless it is in public and there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. Like in public, you have every right to film the police!