LAPD Officers Place CopBlocker in Cuffs for “Trying to Find Out Who They Are”

This video was submitted by Adam Kratt who CopBlocks in Los Angeles. On this particular occasion Adam was conducting a first amendment audit of the LAPD Hollenbeck Station. While filming the entrance to the motor pool, two officers pulled up and demanded his information. They were visibly upset with his actions regardless of the fact that not even the police have a reasonable right to privacy when in public.

Adam refused their orders to provide ID and was immediately placed in handcuffs. He invoked his rights and demanded to know the crime he was suspected of committing. The officer replied, “trying to find out who we are”. An answer so hilarious you almost forget that is the response you would expect from a gang member and not people who claim to be public servants. Both officers had no problem identifying themselves to Adam so why would they be upset that he was operating a camera in public?

According to Adam:

In the late afternoon of August 22, 2016 I was recording outside of the Hollenbeck Station of the Los Angeles Police Department in Boyle Heights when officer Pacheco # 18658 and officer Carona # 19595 pulled up in their patrol vehicle and began interrogating me on the street demanding I explain why I was filming outside the police department and demanded my ID. I inquired as to what crime they suspected me of committing and they used the suspicious line. I asked several times “what crime they suspected me of committing?”

I advised them I did not believe I had to give them my information, at that point they physically restrained me and officer Pacheco placed handcuffs on me as Officer Carona searched in my pockets retrieved my Drivers License from my wallet and ran my name all while I clearly advised them they did not have permission to search me. At that point Sgt Torres # 25841 accompanied by 1 other sergeant and 4 other officers arrived and officer Carona turned off my camera. SGT Torres gave some story about last week they received an anonymous threat. The cuffs were removed.

Never once was a crime that I was suspected of committing ever mentioned or articulated no justification for placing me in cuffs or searching inside my pockets or wallet ever given.

LAPD and their Gestapo tactics of illegally detaining and illegally searching people practicing their First Amendment rights is alive and well

If you believe that photographers have the right to operate their cameras in public regardless of whether or not they choose to point them at police. Please consider calling the Hollenbeck Station and letting them know that the behavior of officers Carona and Pacheco is not becoming of an officer of the law and that it is inappropriate and illegal to stop someone based on your own prejudice.

LAPD Hollenbeck Station (323) 342-4100

Sgt Torres 25841

Officer Pacheco 18658

Officer Carona 19595