On April 18, I responded to a stabbing call at the 7-11 gas station at Dale Mabry Highway and Hudson Lane. A man was stabbed after refusing to give up his money to a robber. I shot that scene with no issues. You can see the scene video HERE.

Then I went over to the location where the suspect was apprehended, just a couple blocks away.

As I unloaded my Jeep, I was approached by a Hillsborough County Street Crimes Unit deputy. He said per orders from his Sargent that I had to return to my vehicle while the scene was “secured.” I did so for about three minutes until I started using my brain.

I unpacked again and walked on the sidewalk across the street from the property where he was cuffed in. At that point they realized I was out of my car, and the same deputy approached me and said not to go any further. I inquired why there were citizens much closer to the arrestee than I was (they were on the same property where the suspect was being detained). He did not answer my questions and he said he’d get the Lieutenant.

There was no crime scene tape up, the suspect was in custody, and there were citizens standing across the street before they moved closer to join the group that was congregating. So I shot a few seconds of video of the arrestee from that location.

At that point, they realized I wasn’t standing where I was before, and I was motioned over.

Lieutenant Diaz, told me to turn my camera off as I approached him. I refused. Lt. Diaz stated that the residents were concerned with their properties being in my shot, which is not against the law and is certainly not a justification to restrict movement. He avoided answering my question if there was a law that stated I cannot videotape a home. He then walked away and I stayed put.

Soon after, a Sargent, who has told me not to film witnesses before at previous scenes, told me to turn my camera off. I refused and asked him to cite a law. He instructed me not to film witnesses, which I had no intention of doing. Even so, anyone in a public place is subject to photography. He couldn’t cite a law either and refused to answer.

Then, while on the phone with PIO Debbie Carter, Lt. Diaz approached me and told me to turn the camera off again. He stated I was about to go to jail for “obstruction of justice.” He also said I was too close, but I was allowed to stand where I was. Someone is sending mixed messages.

My favorite line is “You shine that camera on my face again, I will turn it off for you, impound it, and arrest you.”

As I was leaving the scene, Lt. Diaz motioned me over again. I got out of my Jeep and approached him again with a colleague on the phone, listening to the conversation. I did not bring my camera. Lt. Diaz again explained his reasoning regarding why I couldn’t be where I wanted to be. He also stated he has a positive reputation and encouraged me to Google him (tooting his own horn). I’ve heard other stories. He also said that putting the video up would bring me negative attention, and hurt the relationship between the office and the media. Nice try. I also asked about the citizens who were standing where I wanted to stand, and his reply was “They don’t have cameras.” That sums it all. Again, no recording of this, but I had someone listen on the phone. Another lie that was made was when he said he had concerns that the arrestee was not the actual suspect. Well if it were the case, I see why they’d restrict my movement around the scene. But I could still film him anyway. But that was a lie because a press release went out minutes later, so they knew he was their guy for quite a long time. Regardless, nothing says I can’t film him.

I’ve had issues with this Lieutenant previously, and made an attempt to set up a meeting with him so we could settle our issues. I never got a call back.

To my deputy friends at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, I am sorry I had to do this. I hope those of you who are friends with me and treat me with respect, continue to do so. But if you are pressured to cease communication with me, I understand. But as a former dispatcher, I have a high respect for the profession and I used to want to be a cop until I’ve seen what it’s like on the inside. It’s a shame that a Lieutenant who should be seasoned enough to know basic civil rights would target someone just because they have a camera.

I went to the Sheriff’s Operation Center earlier today to file my complaint (per the procedures on their web site), and I was instructed to go to District III to “speak” to a captain. We’ll see how it goes, the only person I’ve known to get anything done about my treatment down here is Former Captain Rod Reder. One of HCSO’s PIO’s told me he sent out an E-Mail to deputies recently regarding me and my rights, but I asked around and no one knew about it.

I will update you on the complaint process, something tells me I’m getting the run around.

Also, it’s quite interesting that THIS post and the news article I posted on the stabbing have been disappearing. Never had issues with my web host in years… take that as you’d like.

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