LAPD's Paul Espinoza Unlawfully Detains Photographer

A formal complaint against Paul Espinoza was sustained by LAPD.

Want to leave a comment? Then visit this link:

http://boywithgrenade.org/2010/06/01/lapd-unlawfully-detains-photographer/

This video was recorded on February 21, 2010 in Hollywood, CA. As you will see from the footage, the officer's behavior is deeply disturbing and should cause alarm within the Los Angeles Police Department.

And despite what the officer claims in the video, it is completely legal to photograph and videotape anybody, including police officers, when an expectation of privacy does not exist. It is the public's right to photograph and record police activity that occurs on our streets and in our neighborhoods, and we should not be subjected to verbal assaults, illegal detainment, or threatened with an unlawful arrest if we choose to do so.

This encounter could have been a non-issue.

To voice your concerns regarding this officer's behavior, contact the following individuals and offices:

Internal Affairs - Los Angeles Police Department
304 South Broadway, Suite 215
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Office: 213-485-1486
Fax: 213-473-6420

Antonio Villaraigosa, Mayor of Los Angeles
Email: mayor@lacity.org

Eric Garcetti, City Council President
5500 Hollywood Blvd., 4th Floor
Hollywood, CA 90028
Phone: 323-957-4500
Email: councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org

Tom LaBonge, Councilmember, District 4
Hollywood Field Office
6501 Fountain Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Phone: (323) 957-6415
Email:councilmember.labonge@lacity.org

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• lapd
• police
• cops
• harassment
• abuse
• police abuse
• unlawful detainment
• detainment
• los angeles
• hollywood
• photography
• photographers' rights

[Hadegel]

no taser?

[discarted]

@Hadegel LAPD doesn't carry them

[USSpecOps93]

You are not allowed to photograph and post photos or video of any individual who does not give you their consent

[discarted]

@USSpecOps93

You're wrong. What is it with military personnel and law enforcement these days. Do you guys not know anything about Constitutional rights and laws?

[USSpecOps93]

@discarted Ok sir, you go along thinking what you like, but you are wrong, you are not allowed to photograph persons that specifically state they do not wish to be photographed, it isn't a criminal matter, but it is a civil matter. This officer, and all other persons featured in this video could sue you and they would all win.

Furthermore if I was this officer I would have arrested you for interfering with a police investigation, because if I have to take my intention off what I'm doing for one

[discarted]

@USSpecOps93

Short and sweet...you're still wrong.



[ldchappell1]

Why the HELL is this guy a cop? He's obviously unstable. He's about two confrontations away from going postal.

[Dsi1ver]

that wasnt as bad as i thought it would be...

[LorgSkyegon]

@USSpecOps93 If you are in a public place, you have no right to privacy. If you did, it would be illegal to have any cameras in a public place. It is not a civil matter either. You have no right to control your image when that image is taken in a public place.

If you had arrested me for this, you would certainly be the subject of a complaint to the department, a lawsuit against the department, and subject to ridicule in the press. And, by the way, it's "attention", not "intention"

[USSpecOps93]

@discarted second, then you are interfering and subject to arrest. That is all I have to say, you can disagree with me as much as you like, but in the end the law is the law.