I'm asking you to leave, please. Or I'll call the cops. You got a choice. >> You call whoever you need to call, Frank. Are you security or law enforcement? >> Security. >> Okay. >> You you have to I'm telling you, for your own benefit to go get somebody who knows the law because you don't know the law. So, you're going to you're about to be committing you're about to be committing a fed federal felony. >> Just because of a camera, those in positions of authority reacted in a way no one expected. And once the law was put under the spotlight, the biggest question became, who truly understood it? >> Threatened to break my phone. >> What brings you? >> Um, just checking on my local government here. That's all. No, I'm not. Don't touch me. Do not touch me. >> The only thing that would save you from me defending myself cuz you're committing a felony right now is that gun and that badge. >> Three police officers confronted a citizen who knew the law. And just minutes later, the entire situation took a shocking turn that no one saw coming. A camera, a government building, and a suspicious security guard. Just minutes later, the situation escalated into a confrontation that left many people questioning where the true limits of authority really lie. >> You work here? >> Excuse me? >> Do you work here? >> Do I work here? >> Yeah, you can put the phone down. >> Who are you? [music] >> I work here. I'm just curious as to why you're walking around with your camera recording stuff. >> And you are? >> Who are you? >> You work here in what capacity? >> I'm just How do I know if you can help me if I don't know who you are? >> I work for the county. I work here probation. Just curious as to what you're doing here. >> Yeah. Can I get your name? >> What are you doing? >> I just like to know who I'm speaking to. We'll call the police. >> Why would you call the police? You could have just identified yourself and been courteous told me who I was and what exactly I was doing here. No declaration. Probation department. [music] My name is I'm okay. >> All right. No, I'm okay. Thank you. Appreciate it. So, that's a good way to contrast [music] exactly how the unidentified probation officer came up to me and how one that wants to identify himself too. So these DUI classrooms please >> Excuse me. Who are you? >> Who are you? >> Huh? >> Who are you? >> Security building. >> And your name? >> Frank. >> So who But what are you doing here, Frank? What are you telling me to >> leave? >> Why are you coming up? Why are you coming [music] up to me like this? Frank, >> I'm asking you to leave, please, or I'll call the cops. You got a choice. >> The argument was becoming increasingly tense. And when the police officers finally arrived, no one expected their very first question to send the entire situation in a completely different direction. So, let's go outside and see what they're going to talk about. >> Point [music] Frank, >> how you doing, sir? How are you? Can I get your new badge number, please? >> Officer David number 51. >> Thank you, David. And you need a badge number 75. badge number 75. >> All right, short. Um, nothing much. I'm just taking a look around the government building here. Uh, taking some pictures and video, exercising my first amendment right. Um, the publicly accessible [music] areas. Uh, Frank Frank threatened to break my phone. >> What brings you? >> Um, just checking on my local government [music] here. That's all. Government transparency and accountability. I'm working on a story. My name my first name is Sean. >> Sean? >> Yes. >> What's the story for? Oh, I can't divulge the exact details because it might ruin my story and compromise my story that [music] I'm working on here. But I can say that I my name is Sean. I'm an independent journalist and I'm working on a story here for the uh county of Montgomery. >> Is there a specific um you said independent, but is there like a specific >> Yeah, independent meaning that I just work for myself. >> But then you sell that information. >> Oh, I post it. I post it myself. >> Where you post it? >> Various social media accounts. That's correct. >> All right. Can you hang out here for a minute? >> I prefer to go inside. I like government transparency and accountability. Prefer to go inside. >> Okay. Well, the thing is we have to determine if they have a policy if you can film inside the government. >> Well, we can do that together. Let's go. I'm not a threat to anything. I'm not going to disturb any business. Okay. >> Do you have any idea? >> Hold on one second. Just want to get inside. Do >> you have any idea on >> I do not I don't I don't get law enforcement identification unless I'm suspected of committing a crime. >> Well, we don't know if you're committing a crime yet, but [music] >> what crime would that be? That's the point. >> That's why I'm asking. >> Exactly. And that's why I won't give an ID because I haven't committed any crimes here today. That's all. >> What happened next left both security staff and police in an increasingly uncomfortable position. As the rules were examined more closely, the [music] truth slowly began to emerge. Was the cameraman really violating any policy as originally claimed? Or had the entire confrontation been built on a serious misunderstanding? >> I could understand that. How you doing, Z? >> I said you my name I told you my name was Sean. I said I'm not going to give you my ID unless I've committed a crime. >> That's correct. >> Where are you calling? >> Yeah. >> Okay. It's public space. >> Public space. He's allowed to be here. Well, technically not the court though. >> Well, why why can't we court? >> Uh I don't know. That's the courthouse. I don't >> Yeah, there's no law that I'm aware of that we can't. So, >> probate was on second floor where probation. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um contact anybody upstairs? >> We just walked in here to determine if they had >> Okay. >> I never went anywhere in probation. [music] To be clear, I never went I never went I get it. I get it. But I'm saying I never went any restricted areas in probation at all. crime of anybody. >> Exactly. There's key cards. Exactly. Exactly. [music] >> We'll talk to them and see what they say. >> Exactly. >> So, I will just say, Sergeant, I will just say, Sergeant, that you know, as you just stated, there is no crime against taking [music] pictures and video. I'm holding my government accountable. That's all I'm here to do today. Um, the security guard, but he did he did, you know, threaten to break my phone. So, I just want him to understand that that is against the law. You cannot threaten to break people's phones, property, and do things like that. That's escalating situation. You're in public, sir. I'm >> No. Number one, you came up to the camera. >> You're employed in public space. He came with you just like you. >> Yeah. He comes to you. >> Yeah. But I didn't do that. I didn't I didn't come up to your desk and just record you awkwardly. I'm just touring the building. You came up to me say, "Turn off your phone now. I'm going to break it." It's not there's not there's no need for any of that. That's how you escalate a situ. >> Everything seemed settled as the truth gradually came to light. Yet, just before the conversation came to an end, one carefully worded remark from the officers left an unsettling question hanging in the air. >> I don't know if it was a couple years ago about filming a court chamber or like this is considered courthouse annex. >> Annex. >> There used to be a courtroom next door and they did have a policy that they didn't like filming >> filming in the courtroom >> like like when we had the body cams. And then there was question whether we had to take them off so that we wouldn't >> in the court room. You're talking about >> I think just even stepping in. I'm not sure. That's why I want >> So this is the this is the annex of the courtroom. [music] I I haven't seen any courtroom since I've been here. >> No. >> Oh, gotcha. Okay. >> It's the next door over. >> Okay. >> Oh, okay. Gotcha. >> But it was posted there. And so this is the annex side of it. That was the community connections with the probation, which is where you were. So >> yeah, >> in the end, the answer everyone had been waiting for was finally given. But before closing the conversation, the sergeant left behind one short cryptic remark that made the atmosphere more uncertain than ever. >> All right. So I talk to them. You're all good. Just waiting area upstairs in the adult probation. You're not allowed to film up there due [music] to confidentiality. Oh >> yeah, I'm just in the publicly accessible >> area. Yeah, I'm just like, you know, end of May. >> Yeah. >> Other than that, you're allowed to fill in. >> Okay, great. Yeah, I'm just in the publicly accessible areas, that's all. Yeah, no problem. >> Just not not the waiting room with the >> Yeah, I already got I already got everything in there that I needed anyway. >> That's cool. [music] >> All right. Thanks, officer. >> Take it easy. >> So, you're good. >> Okay. >> Like I said, no restricted areas. >> Yeah, perfect. The public spaces. Are you [music] almost finished? I'm asking that just because I'm trying to get a time frame. >> Oh, yeah, sure. I just have to go check out the other kind of the floors and see what's on those. I only made it to the second. >> Excuse me. >> Yeah, sure. >> What is health department? There's a waiting room up there. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> Um and on uh third floor is uh no adult probation or juvenile probation on the third floor. >> And um >> is that is there a general waiting room for that as well? Yeah. Entry to a waiting room and then restrictions. >> Oh, sure. That's not my intention at all. >> If you do go up floor, which looks like the juvenile probation office? >> Yeah, that's not my intention at all. >> I probably just because I can't do certain things [music] if you end up going to and I'm just >> Yeah. No. >> Yeah, I'm sure. >> I'll be I'm going to hang out for a little while. [music] >> Sure. Yeah, no problem. >> So, you know, again, public space. You're allowed to be there. Go ahead. Be safe. >> Yep. Thanks, S. You, too. You guys be safe out there as well. Okay, thank you. Yep. Take care. >> The incident came to an end without a single [music] arrest. But in the end, one question still remained. Would anyone be held accountable for what had happened? Next, all it took was a camera. Yet, the reaction inside the government building left many people stunned. And when police arrived with a hardline attitude, one major question emerged. Who was actually in the wrong? >> This door right here. I was not here. >> So, you should they they can uh express their first amendment, right? Hi, how are you? >> Hi. What's going on? >> Make sure you don't erase the the video or photo you're taking. >> Huh? >> I said make sure you don't erase the video or photo you're taking cuz you're a public official. >> I'm a public official. >> Yeah. Do you work for the public? >> What kind of work? >> You tell me. You work in a public building. I'm going to decide which seems like I do. >> Okay, that's fine. [music] But you you're a public official. >> You're a public official. So >> yeah. >> Yeah. So I'm going to be able to I'm going to be able to freedom of information act that that >> beat it. >> Beat it. This is a public building, [music] man. What's wrong with you? What's your name? >> What's your name? You can call me good citiz. You can call me good [music] citizen. >> What's your name? >> You can call me good citizen, ma'am. >> Good citizen. Correct. >> You don't You're not acting like a good citizen right now. >> I'm exercising my First Amendment right to film in the public. >> Great. >> But you you're working right now, ma'am. You're work. You're the one that's working right now. >> So don't fil So don't film me then. >> Don't film me. >> I mean, if you don't want to interact with me, don't. >> [music] >> Looks like there's a sergeant right there. >> How you doing, Sergeant? How you doing? >> Great. >> Sir, I have a body camera on and I'm telling you, I want to let you know >> to go outside. >> I want to let you know one thing before before we go outside. One thing. [music] If you interfere with a constitutionally protected activity by the color of [music] law, you're committing a federal felony for everybody to see, sir. So, I'm letting you know you're coming up to me kind of aggressive. I'm letting you know aggressive. >> Listen, come up to you aggressive. [music] >> Listen, I'm going to request aggressive. >> Okay. I'm asking I'm I'm exercising a first amendment right peacefully, sir. I would like to be left alone. I do not need your assistance. >> What is your official business here? My place of business. >> This is a public This is a This is not Nazi Germany. >> Free Hall and is a place of business. >> It's a public place. Relentless questioning, repeated [music] demands, and an increasingly aggressive attitude. But caught between internal policies and citizens rights was the sergeant overlooking a line that should never be crossed. >> Are you policy police or law enforcement? Sir, >> law enforcement. That is a policy. Sir, >> that pol that policy does not trump the first amendment. You will lose You will lose your You will lose your qualified immunity. [music] It >> You will lose your qualified immunity. >> Okay, great. I'm not leaving. I am not leaving. >> I am not leaving, sir. >> Let's go, >> sir. Deescalate the situation. [music] Deescalate. >> You guys are trained in deescalation. Deescalate. Because I have a right to be here. Go call your chief. Go call your chief. Go call a lieutenant. Somebody higher than you. >> First of all, you're not you're not in charge here, right? >> You're not in charge here either, sir. >> You're not in charge. And you're not either. What's your name? >> I have official I have official business. I'm being recorded. I'm [music] recording. >> Take your hands out of your pocket. Hands out. >> I'm not getting out of your hands. >> Here you go. Here you go. Just cuz I know what you're going to do [music] next. I know what you're going to do next. But guess what? You think that You think that you're going to get away with it, but you're not. So, I'm telling you to calm down. Go get Tenant or the Chief of Freeport Police. What's your name? >> 193. >> That's your name? 193. >> 193. >> Okay. 193. you one. What? What's your What's your badge number? 10. 10. Go get somebody higher than you who knows what they're talking about. >> 19. >> Whatever. Whatever you want to do. But you you have to I'm telling you, for your own benefit, go get somebody who knows the law because you don't know the law. So, you're going to you're about to be committing you're about to be committing a fed federal felony. >> The bill that you pay. Where's [music] the bill that you pay? >> Sir, I don't have to show you anything. This is not Sir, this is not Venezuela. This is not this is not Nazi Germany. You can't just say, "Hey, where's your ID? What papers do you have?" >> This is a place of business. You have >> This is a public [music] place of business. A public It's a public business. >> It's a I'm conducting business as well. [music] Constitutionally protected business, sir. Constitution. You took an oath to the Constitution. What is wrong with you? Did you take an oath to the Constitution, sir? >> It's a constitutionally protected activity. >> That is my business. That [music] is my business. That is my business. I'm not giving I haven't committed a crime. Do you have reasonable, articulable suspicion I committed a crime, sir? >> Do you Do you I'm asking you a question. Do you have reasonable articulable suspicion that I've committed a crime? Because then you can't get my ID, sir. No, you cannot. No, you cannot. You need to learn the law. You're a sergeant here, [music] sir. Go get a lieutenant. Go get the chief because you're causing a distur. You're the highest person in your department. That's sad. That you're the highest person in your department. That's sad, sir. That's right. >> The atmosphere grew increasingly tense as the officers became more aggressive. But what sparked the most controversy was the officer's own conduct. The question now was did any of them truly understand the laws and rights they were trying to enforce. >> Tell me to leave, sir. And I'm telling you that and I'm telling you'll be committing a federal felony by using the color of law to interfere with a constitutionally protected activity, which is what I'm engaging in right now. So unless >> What is your activity? >> Filming. Filming is my constitutionally protected [music] in a is this a public building or a private building, sir? This is the village of free, >> which means that it's public. There's cameras everywhere in here. >> There's There's I am conducting business. So, you just don't know what you're talking about. You just don't know what you're talking about. [music] You just don't know what you're talking about. >> You already told me the other day. >> Okay, great. No. Nope. Nope. Nope. >> Let's go. >> Nope. No, I'm not. Don't touch me. Do not touch me. >> The only thing that [music] would save you from me defending myself, cuz you're committing a felony right now, is that gun and that badge on your hip. >> That's the only way that's saving you. If you are a private citizen, guess what? I can respond in in kind with you touching me. [music] Do not touch me. Do not touch me. Do not touch me. You guys [music] got to learn the law. Really? You took an oath to the constitution. Sir, >> can I get your name? >> Santos. Okay. Santos, you need to honor. You need policy does not sir. This doesn't even make any sense. I'll get the I'll get the sign. I'll get the sign. Can you read? I can read. Did you read the constitution? >> I can read, sir. Listen, you're being childish. You're being childish. Can you read? You're being childish. You're being childish. You're being childish. You're being childish. You're being childish. >> Every building has their own. >> You are law enforcement, huh? Wow. >> Every building every building has >> He's been professional with me. Are you >> 193? Every building has their own policy. >> 193. Does the policy trump law, sir? Does the policy supersede the law? If the law says, >> I have a constitution protected. I I have a constitutional right to be here >> right now. So, does I can make any sign I want and put it up anywhere. Does that Does that prevent the law? I could put a sign up that says murder is you can murder on my property. Does that negate the lawsuit? [music] Come on. Think logically here. Think logically here, sir. You have to think logically here. I mean, I feel like I'm talking to to a baby who doesn't know anything about law. So, I'm trying to explain it to you. I'm trying to explain. >> After a prolonged standoff, the officers seemed to realize they were dealing with someone who knew his rights extremely well. But what happened next turned the situation from tense to so unbelievable that it was almost comical. Not >> doing anything. I'm peacefully exercising a first amendment right. The right the constitution that you took an oath to sir. >> But if you think about it, you don't have people coming in. >> It It doesn't matter. It does. Did you get educated, Sergeant? Did you get educated, Sergeant? >> I'm not going to get in trouble. I'm not going to get in trouble. They're going to get in trouble. Don't Don't Listen, Santos Santos. Don't involve Don't involve yourself in this. I'm telling you right now, you seem like a good cop. Just cuz you know when a good cop doesn't do nothing, [music] you're not a good cop if you don't do nothing and you allow bad cops to do bad things. You know what I'm saying? So don't put yourself in that scenario. Don't put yourself in that scenario. >> Are we done here, Sergeant? >> Yeah, you free to leave. >> Yeah, I'm free to leave and I'm free to stay. And I'm free to stay. >> You guys can sit here all day. [music] I'm sure you have nothing better to do for a living. >> I'm not answering I'm not answer I'm not answering any questions. I'm not answering any questions. >> Stop answering questions. [music] You're the public servant here, not me. I You're You're the public servant. Do you Do you forget? Yeah. Protect. I am the public. Protect and serve, sir. Protect and serve. What's wrong with you? Did you Are you doing Are you doing No, I need you to serve me and leave me alone. Serve. Protect and serve. Not only protecting, sir. You got to serve, too. So, I'm asking you to serve and leave me alone. Cuz I'm a member of the public. You guys think in Free Port, you guys got your own little uh kingdom over here. You guys do what you want to do that the Constitution doesn't apply in Freeport. Is that what you think, Sergeant? Cuz the Constitution applies in Freeport. Guarantee you that. Honor your oath. Do your job. You got your door locked [music] over there to the public. What's wrong with you? Open your door to the public. Where's the transparency? I got to I got to I got to hit a button. I got I got to I got to hit a I got to hit a button to get into a police station. What's wrong What's wrong with you guys? What's wrong with you guys? You only got to You got to You got a not knowing the law sergeant [music] is your highest person here. Come on. Come on, man. You guys got to do better. You guys got to do better. You guys got to do [music] better. So, I'm going to um keep going on my way while I was filming my public building. You can follow me if you'd like. You're being recorded two ways. So, don't do anything stupid. Don't do anything stupid. Back away from my space. >> Don't do anything stupid. >> You're allowed to stand, right? The public. >> Yes, you can. Exactly. You can. I'm just telling you [music] could do that. Don't do anything stupid. That's what I'm telling you. >> You do anything stupid. No, I'm not. I'm not I'm I'm filming. I'm filming. I'm not doing anything stupid. You're the one that's bothering me. >> Just as the confrontation reached [music] its peak, a highranking official suddenly arrived. Without saying much, their presence alone immediately changed the entire dynamic. But what led the deputy director to make a decision that caught everyone by surprise? >> There you go. Hey, hey, hey, sir. [music] What's your rank here? What's your rank here? How you doing, sir? What's your rank here? >> Your name and rank? >> I'm deputy chief. >> You're the deputy chief? Yes, sir. >> I'm a good citizen. That's You can call me good citizen. I'm filming in a public area. Your sergeant here. He said there was nobody above him. Continue to uh berade me right now. >> Okay, I understand that. But [music] what I'm telling you as a deputy chief, you're higher than him. Correct. My point is, instruct your sergeant that I am not breaking any laws and he has no legal authority to remove me physically or not from this building. >> Bunch of tyrants [music] you guys are. This is This is the city of Freeport. Sergeant, you're a joke. You know that. You're a real joke [music] and a tyrant. No arrests, no explanations. Yet the questions about authority and accountability remain. A reminder that justice can only exist [music] when the law is enforced with understanding, respect, and humanity. Citizens can [music] sue police under section 1983 when their rights are violated. Officers who violate [music] those rights may face compensation payouts, disciplinary action, or even termination. When citizens rights are not respected, the damage goes beyond any one individual. It erodess the trust of the entire community. Hey everyone, what do you think about this situation? If you enjoyed the video, don't forget to like, subscribe, and support us with a donation. Thank you so much. [music]