Comments on: Suffolk Cops to Drop Charge Against News Cameraman

By: chris p.

chris p. — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 17:50:52 +0000

that police officer should be fired immediately

By: Sean

Sean — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 06:19:46 +0000

Shit, what difference does it make if he had a police record or not. Although you mentioned he didn’t.

Does anyone know if there was a lawsuit or anything?

By: tom

tom — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 23:24:06 +0000

Give him the “Donut Award”.

By: dps

dps — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 19:55:21 +0000

People who are saying that the videographer should have listened to the Police Officer need to understand that there is a big difference between a request and an order.

Just because a police officer tells you to do something does not mean you have to do it. There are “rules”.

In this situation the Police can “request” for him to stop videoing but they have no legal authority to enforce that request with criminal penalties (which would make it a “lawful” order).

In fact, since the “crime scene” was open (cars were driving by, people walking around, no blockade) he didn’t even have to move a block down the road. He could have stayed right there but he was trying to be reasonable.

By: fred

fred — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 23:12:09 +0000

Hey Doug—-Geta life you phoney This make believe sqt had NO right to what he did. Protecting undercover–Bull—-. He wouldn”t know an undercover officer if it fell on him. The man needs training—Officer Milton- you r a nothing

By: fred

fred — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 23:06:42 +0000

This sqt is a prime example that high pay does not make a better police person.This sgt is gabage. Like to see him off duty. H should be charge with a crime

By: Voice of Reason

Voice of Reason — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 19:45:09 +0000

Doug: FYI – the reporter contacted SCPD’s public information officer was told he could continue filming. Sgt “douche-bag” Milton had no right to over-rule HQ. That’s why he’s now in BIG trouble. Law enforcement is supposed to “enforce” the “laws” of this land. Milton obviously has no clue as to the meaning of the first amendment of our Constitution. Based on your post, neither do you.

By the way, are you still disrespectful to your parents?

By: Doug

Doug — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:30:29 +0000

shut up, the arrest was just. if a cop tells you go away, you do it. you dont drag your feet like a f***ing child playing little games and acting confused. “where do you want me to go?” i used to say that stuff to annoy my parents. He was told to go away and stop filming. he went away then snuck up to do it again. he was warned what was going to happen and he kept doing it. how in the HELL is the cop wrong.

By: TantalusEternus

TantalusEternus — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 13:21:49 +0000

Camera on his shoulder or not,he has rights just like the other spectators in the video (who are not harrassed by Barney Fife…er Sgt. Milton). This poor excuse for a cop is on a power trip and deserves to explore “other employment options”. I can’t believe anyone would pay this skin-head with a badge $151K….poor tax payers.

By: FELIX

FELIX — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 03:41:28 +0000

Hey Clark Kent or should I say Stupid Man,you must be a pig.You most likely only finished HS.We the people have rights.Bully losers who become cops should be weeded out.A badge does not make you ruler.Most cops are just bully losers who couldn’t do anything else for a living.Uneducated losers.At least now they need a degree.

By: Voice of Reason

Voice of Reason — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 17:20:47 +0000

Congratulations Sgt. Milton — JACKASS COP OF THE YEAR — under the I got caught on videotape for saying something extremely stupid while not doing my job correctly. Dormer had no option but to do damage control. Milton made $151K+ last year for a job not well done, now his mistake will cost Suffolk taxpayers mega $$$ to make this go away. Make Milton retire, then take the settlement from the front end of his over inflated yet under deserved pension. Don’t go away mad Sgt. Milton — just go away.

By: Clark Kent

Clark Kent — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:13:20 +0000

Alan: So, based on your “civics” class principle, if you sling a camera on your shoulder you have rights that I do not have? That has to be the dumbest lesson I have ever heard. You have to be a product of the NYC Department of Education. Too bad you never took a regent’s examination, I would have loved to read your essays!

The news media is part of the checks and balances? Hysterical.

The police commissioner is a puppet, and his strings are pulled by individuals like you; this is part of the problem, and just another contributing factor as to why America is so messed up.

Honestly, put the crack pipe down.

By: Charge to be dropped against photojournalist arrested for videotaping police | Astrid Bidanec

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 10:01:06 +0000

[...] Long Island PressThe Suffolk County Police Department plans to drop charges against a freelance news photographer arrested Friday for videotaping police. The Long Island Press reported that the police commissioner made the decision about an hour after the Press… Read more Share this: Tweet this! [...]

By: Citizen Kane

Citizen Kane — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:32:06 +0000

That’s great. But how do we bring charges against this officer for harassment?

By: Charges Dropped Against News Photographer in Suffolk County | Visual Journalism

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 20:30:01 +0000

[...] that didn’t take long … the Long Island Press is reporting that Suffolk County police have dropped the charges against Phil …. Commissioner Richard Dormer said in a statement Monday that there is an internal review of the [...]

By: Joe Friday

Joe Friday — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 18:39:02 +0000

I was a cop for 30 years. This Sergeant is an embarrassment to law enforcement. The cameraman can now sue for false arrest and unlawful restraint.

Maybe its time fr Sgt Shultz to retire.

By: Alan

Alan — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 17:58:00 +0000

@Clark Kent: Obviously, you missed your high school civics class the day they talked about the First Amendment. The photog had a right to be in a public place videotaping a news event. He was not interfering with the work of the officers.

You see, it’s this little thing called “checks and balances”. The news media are the “check” against abuses of power by clowns like this sergeant, who should be demoted to meter maid.

The commissioner did the right thing in dropping the charges, but didn’t go far enough by not ordering discipline against the cop.

By: Commissioner Nullifies Arrest of Photojournalist, Orders Media Relations Training - TVSpy

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:35:37 +0000

[...] “The police department believes in keeping an open line of communication with the media,” Dormer said, “and we will be reviewing the department’s policy concerning involvement with the news media.” [Via Long Island Press] [...]

By: Anthony

Anthony — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:53:27 +0000

This is a clear example of what a complete Jack Ass the Police Commissioner actually is! He was not at the crime scene, and undermines the authority of a front line supervisor, thus loosing what little support he had from the rank and file. He has none so it’s had to get any lower. The man is a buffoon and needs to go sooner than later. He never backs up his officers and is always there to be the “Arm Chair Quarterback” It’s very easy to do, when you spent your entire career doing nothing. The man has screwed up the Gilgo investigation and just continues to muddle along because Levy has his hand so far up this puppets ass, it’s comical. The people of Suffolk deserve a True Police Professional!

By: Lawrence Brown

Lawrence Brown — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:25:14 +0000

The average cop takes his orders from top brass. The liberals are turning us into socialist community. Soon you wont have rights to talk.