The video included with this post was shared with the CopBlock Network by Kevin Bradley, via the CopBlock.org Submissions Page. If you have a video, personal story involving police misconduct and/or abuse, or commentary about a law enforcement related news story, we would be happy to have you submit it. You can find some advice on how to get your submission published on the CopBlock Network within this post.
In this video post, Kevin starts out conducting a protest against having been kidnapped and mentally tortured by the Pennsylvania State Police previously. Of course, the Pennsylvania State Police refer to it as “arresting” someone. However, within the video Kevin explains that essentially he was arrested for filming the police, otherwise known as “Contempt of Cop.”
When someone is forcibly restrained and then held against their will because someone didn’t like being legally filmed and they concocted an excuse to do so, that’s a kidnapping. It shouldn’t matter that this “someone” is employed by the State and issued a fancy costume and shiny badge to wear. Nor should the fact that they use a different, fancier term to describe their illegal actions change the reality of what they did.
At any rate, shortly after the video begins an unidentified Montoursville police officer drives up and asks Kevin to speak to him. He then states that he’s gotten several complaints about Kevin’s little protest, but that what he is doing is legal. He further explains that he has to investigate because the dispatcher sent him out and as a result he “needs to file a report.”
While this officer is generally polite and non-threatening, in the process of his “investigation” he makes several blatantly false claims about the law in relation to Kevin’s obligation to provide ID and ability to film people in public.
To Kevin’s credit, he demonstrates he is very knowledgeable about the laws in relation to filming the police and the requirement for a legal detention, which would actually necessitate him providing his identity. Kevin quickly and accurately corrects the officer when he claims that he has to notify him before filming in public and has to provide his ID anytime a policeman is “conducting an investigation,” whether he has sufficient cause to detain him on suspicion of having committed (or being about to commit) a crime.
One interesting aspect of this video is the way the cop keeps pointing out how “fair” he is being to Kevin in an fairly obvious attempt to use that to convince him to comply with his erroneous requests. It’s basically that “I’m a Good Cop because I’m only harassing you and telling you that you can’t do stuff you are legally allowed to do and not beating or murdering you” logic. Once again, to Kevin’s credit he stands pretty firm and doesn’t take that bait.
In the end, the unnamed officer goes on about his way and Kevin resumes his protest against the Pennsylvania State Police.
Date of Incident: September 19, 2016
Department Involved: Montoursville (PA) Police Dept.
Department Website: MontourPD.org
Citizen Complaints: Complaint Form
FaceBook Page: Montoursville PD on FaceBook
Department Phone No.: (570) 368-2488
Department Fax No.: (570) 368-8473
I made a protest sign that said, I was kidnapped and mentally tortured by the Pennsylvania State Police after previously having been arrested. I then walked around for about 40 minutes with the sign. At that point, I was contacted by this officer in the video. I totally forgot to ask him for his name and badge number, sorry.
You have totally inspired me to fight for my rights. I am ashamed so many Americans don’t even know what rights they have. We live in a Police State.
– Kevin Bradley
Kelly is a lifelong resident of Las Vegas, who’s been very active in local grassroots activism, as well as on a national level during his extensive travels. He’s also the founder/main contributor of Nevada Cop Block, served as editor/contributor at CopBlock.org and designed the Official Cop Block Press Passes.
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