Everyone Watch This Video! Rob, Michael please chime in...

[sksmedic]

I stumbled across this news story and then found the original video on youtube. I would like to hear everyone's opinion on how this was handled.
I think this cop did a poor job of identifying himself and could have been shot had this guy been a ccw holder.
He initially appeared to be a carjacker to me.


http://www.abc2news.com/news/local/story/Motorcyclist-Charged-for-Recording/pfFRVeEePU6qFr5fAq-tlA.cspx
 
better quality video no audio


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHjjF55M8JQ

Enjoy...

[Hazcat]

It coulda got REAL ugly!  The cop should have ID'd himself as soon as he opened his door.

[Ichiban]

Well, since I wouldn't pull over for someone who did not have flashing lights on their car, I can only assume the unmarked car had such lights.  You'll notice that there is at least one marked squad there as well.  

What prompted the officer to pull his sidearm?  It's hard to tell from that video.  He quickly holstered it when backup arrived and he never pointed it at the bikers.  Looks like much ado about nothing.

You can get a ticket for filming a stop?  Who knew?  That is the weirdest part of the the story to me.

[Solus]

The unmarked car didn't pull him over, it blocks him at a light at an exit from the interstate.

Again, it sure seems there is more to this story than a speeding stop.

Did the marked car try to have the guy pull over on the interstate and the guy didn't?  How did the unmarked car become involved? Unmarked cars are often used for speed control, was that the case?

A 'routine' traffic stop, to me, must be one of the most stressful events in an Officers life.  you never know what the offender might be thinking or about to do.  

I was pulled over for speeding one evening and the officer told me my speed was measured by LASER and I asked to see the equipment.  He said ok and asked me to come back to the cruiser.  I got out of my car and as I turned to head back, I saw the second officer off on the shoulder, gun drawn and in a position where he was watching the back of my head while the first officer approached the drivers window.

Have no idea if that is accepted procedure, but I do understand the risk taken by officers.

I always have my wallet out and in my hand, with both hands on the wheel and the window down when the officer approaches.  I don't want them to ever  have to wonder what my hand is doing out of sight.

[Fatman]

Well, since I wouldn't pull over for someone who did not have flashing lights on their car, I can only assume the unmarked car had such lights.  You'll notice that there is at least one marked squad there as well.  

What prompted the officer to pull his sidearm?  It's hard to tell from that video.  He quickly holstered it when backup arrived and he never pointed it at the bikers.  Looks like much ado about nothing.

You can get a ticket for filming a stop?  Who knew?  That is the weirdest part of the the story to me.

It's not the filming, it's the audio. it is illegal (felony) in PA as well as MD to record audio w/o the permission of those being recorded.

A bit stupid, if you ask me.

[Sponsor]

[twyacht]

Seized his computers? Searched his house?  Seems the DA is trying to make an example out of this guy.

Police Power can sometimes be a little absurd. Enforce the speeding ticket, let his insurance rates go up, points on his license, stiff fine, whatever,.....

The rest seems stupid.

Does it also mean LEO's dash cams can't record audio of a traffic stop? Or does the "law" only work one way?

[oldkat69]

    When I was a kid this was a free country.  Free the citizen, fire the cop and what  do you say we take his guns and permits away?!

[Ichiban]

I see I made a mistake by not watching the video at the stations web site.  I read the article (I'm used to the accompanying article better reflecting the video) and watched the YouTube video and didn't think much of it until I read some of the other comments.

Now I have more of a sense of outrage at how the police are bullying someone.  "Illegal monitoring", indeed.  I'm in line with twyacht now.

So what are the Maryland State police going to do when this comes their way?  Maybe get a secretary to "accidentally" erase some videos?  Hey, it worked for Nixon, right?
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/04/04/eveningnews/main6363152.shtml

[PegLeg45]

What a complete load!!    

They're saying the cop drew his weapon because the biker was backing up....but the biker was backing up because he saw an unidentified guy getting out of a car with a gun.

Looks to me like the cops are going to try to pile on some bogus charges, hoping the guy's lawyer and the DA can settle it out of court and in the end it ends up as a 'wash'.....because even though the biker was admittedly speeding, the cop screwed the pooch too, and they know it. He should have been yelling "State Police" at the top of his lungs as he exited the unmarked car...as much for his own safety as for the safety of the public. Or, better yet, he should have played a 'back-up' role to the MARKED CAR behind the biker instead of taking the gung-ho charge.

Of course, it's easy to sit here and say what 'should have' happened and arm-chair quarterback it to death......
Just my irate two cents.

Peg

[Rastus]

Illegal monitoring...what a crock.  This is a law misused in this instance.  What happened is the officer got caught pulling a gun when he should not have and now it's time to destroy the reputation of the driver of the motorbike to keep the heat off the officer.

Seeing the car pulled over without lights, a man jumping out with a gun and no ID on exit would get the driver exhonerated if I was on the jury.  Two wrongs here...speeding and being stupid with a gun...the gun thing being the more egregious as it put people at risk like speeding but was also an abuse of authority by the policeman and was a clear threat to life and liberty to the driver because of the way the gun was shown and ID as an officer was not.   You can't outdraw a drawn weapon....on the basis of the video the officer should be disciplined.