Illegal arrest
Submitted via CopBlock.org’s ‘submit‘ page
On 4-28-2013, I was illegally arrested for filming the police in a public setting,resisting and opposing. The video shows the aggressive tactics employed by Sgt. Hibbard Badge #030 of the Jackson City Police Department.
I was standing a good distance away from, and not interfering at all with, the traffic stop Sgt Hibbard and Officer Hossain were conducting. Sgt Hibbard noticed me filming and actively seeks me out. He is the aggressor. He demands I surrender my camera, my personal property.
When I refuse he goes into contempt of cop mode and assault’s me, ripping the camera from my hand and throwing it to the ground breaking it.
That’s is when my video stops and my ordeal begins. I was hand cuffed, detained, and humiliated in public for close to one hour.
Sgt Hibbard stole the memory card from my camera. He would not provide a receipt for the property he stole. The following day I filed a formal complaint with the JPD. Today, 4-30-2013, I was cleared of all charges.
The same day the charges were rescinded, I filled assault and battery charges, among a few of others, against Sgt. Hibbard with my local state police. The state police are investigating the charges. So hopefully Sgt Hibbard will get to see the other side of the witness box in court. We must all stand together to fight this assault on the Constitution.
Through email Brandon provided some addition information regarding his encounter.
Q: Were you taken to jail or issued a field arrest ticket?
A: I was issued a ticket in the field. I wasn’t jailed. I was arrested and detained at the traffic stop and let go after one hour of detainment.
Q: You said he stole the memory card. How did you get it back to retrieve the video? Was it with your property or did you have to fight to get it back?
A: He stole my memory card during my detainment. I got it back from the police chief two days after my arrest. It was at that time that my memory card was returned to me. It was at that time also that they informed me the charges would be dropped.
Q: What type of camera did you have that they thew to the ground and broke?
A: The camera was a Canon 560 Sureshot. It’s value was $200. They have replaced the camera with a Samsung 250F camera.
Brandon Vreeland
