What's your badge number, please? >> Badge number 89. Officer Kfel, Shbury Police Department. You understand? >> What are they doing? >> They see your car. >> I am. >> Don't listen. Don't be >> Why you grabbing your gun for? >> Don't be acting up. >> Most new cops dream of rising through the ranks, but what happens when a rookie officer instantly wipes out his own career through one disastrous choice? >> Listen, what we need to do right now is I need you to uh to take off your gear. Okay. >> Hey. Hey. Hold on. Stop. Stop. Calm down. Cal time now. Go back there. Go back there. >> These were the moments when rookie cops destroyed their career immediately. Starting with a [music] traffic stop that should have lasted minutes and ended without drama until one rookie officer let ego, anger, and inexperience turn it into a public disaster. >> What's going on, boss? >> I don't answer questions. >> He doesn't answer questions. >> Why? Why you seem so upset, boss? >> I don't answer questions. Any reason why you're so upset, man? >> I'm not upset. >> All right. >> Perhaps when you pull someone over, probably should do it for a good reason, not really something that you're lying about. >> You think he was lying? >> Oh, I record everything. >> You said I was lying. >> Yeah. So, this is what we're going to do. We're just going to play games. >> Uh, for my safety, yes. On August 19th, 2023 in Westfield, a citizen named Nate, was driving when a Westfield Police Department officer, Taha, fresh out of the academy, pulled up behind him and initiated a traffic stop. What should have been routine, quickly turned into a tense showdown driven by the officer's personal grudge. >> What's up, boss? How you doing? >> I don't answer questions. >> Can I get your license registration insurance, please? >> What have I been pulled over for? >> Um, speeding, sir. >> Uh, what speed was I going? >> You're going 48. >> 48. >> 48, man. [music] >> Damn, that's some horse. Yeah. >> Yeah. I record everything. >> Yeah. That's that's fine. I have uh just had this the radar running. >> The radar? Where'd I go? 48. You mind telling me >> 48? Sir, I was right behind you. >> The officer claimed Nate was speeding at 48 in a 35 mph zone, but the dash cam told a different story. The calibration frame clearly showed a three as the first digit, proving Nate never exceeded 39 mph. Little did Nate know, this was just the beginning of the rookie escalating [music] errors. >> 48. Yeah, I was going 30, huh? >> 48, sir. Can I get your license registration insurance, please? >> I'll put it right here on the on the window for you. >> What happened? >> I'll put it right here on the window for you. >> Sorry. I I didn't hear you. What' you say? >> I'll put it right here on the window for you. >> Okay. Um, >> all right. We could do this. Are you uh going to open this, boss? >> What do you mean? >> Can you can you give it to me? >> Uh, I can't. I'm only required to present it to you and I have presented it. >> Okay. Okay. Okay. All right. So, is you're just going to do this or you going to just give it to me? >> I The law says I just have to present it to you. I have to. >> Okay. Yeah. But I present >> Can you open Can you open uh >> I can. >> So, this is what we're going to do. We're just going to play games. >> Uh for my safety. Yes. >> Your safety? >> My safety. >> So, you don't want to hand me your your license? >> I have presented it to you legally. That's all I'm required to do. >> Okay. All right. Okay. It's right there for you. >> All right. >> What's going on, boss? >> I don't answer questions. >> He doesn't answer questions. >> Why? Why do you seem so upset, boss? >> I don't answer questions. [laughter] >> All right. >> Nate placed his documents on the window exactly as required. But the rookie kept pressing for more, trying to provoke a reaction. Nate stayed [music] silent. The officer returned to his cruiser to write the ticket, only to make a rushed, error-filled mess of it. When the name came up, Officer Piciano immediately recognized it. You >> get him for speeding. >> Yeah. 48. >> What? What was his name? >> Uh, Nathan. I >> think we did. You have a E ticket history? Got an obstruction of one shoot. What was your name? What? >> What was your name? >> He got my ID, didn't he? >> No, I don't think he told me. >> Well, he didn't take it. He wrote down all my information, right? >> Trying to read his handwriting. >> Nathan, >> that'll be correct. >> Nathan. All right. What's your phone number, boss? >> I gave out all the information I need to give. I'm not giving out my phone number. >> All right. Any reason why you're so upset, man? >> I'm not upset. >> All right. Perhaps when you pull someone over, probably should do it for a good reason, not really something that you're lying about. >> You think he was lying? >> Oh, I record everything. >> Okay. >> The speed was recorded. I'll gladly try this in court. >> All right, boss. All right. >> It'd be interesting to see if he shows up. >> He doesn't have to give his phone number or email address. >> Okay. >> Yeah, he doesn't have to. So, do with that information if you want. >> All right. >> Yeah. >> All right, boss. A quick record check showed his only citation was with a department in the next town over. It likely traces back to the first time Nate appeared on this channel when a Cranford officer stopped him for exercising his First Amendment rights and cited him for a window obstruction. That case later unraveled in court after the officer was caught lying. >> You said I was lying? >> Yeah. >> Is the radar going to lie, too? >> The radar logs told a shocking story. The radar wasn't even used during the stop. Yet, rookie officer Taha, certified on radar less than two months earlier, still pushed the speeding claim in what now looked like retaliation. And this incident was far from over. It was about to get even worse. >> You know this guy, >> what's his issue? Like, I don't I don't understand why he's being so rude. >> Maybe he looks familiar, but >> that diner area. What's What's that, >> Elmer? >> No. Um >> St. Paul um St. St. The diner's closer to Elmer. >> Elmer. >> All right. Convenid data in field vehicle make code. >> I mean, if if he doesn't want to give his most updated address, that could be another ticket. >> That is a summon. Yes. But you don't know if he's actually staying. >> Officer Taha later claimed he clocked Nate's speed at the Elmer and North Avenue East intersection, but dash footage showed Nate was driving nearly 10 mph under the limit. That same spot was where Nate had flipped him off. As computer issues delayed the ticket, a third officer was called in, further exposing how weak the citation was. >> Is sir, I'm going to be issuing you a summit for Careless. Um, all the information is on the ticket. It's $88. You just pay it online. You can get um careless. You drive in a careless manner. I observed you driving 48 to 35, sir. And I perceive that as careless. Okay. This is your ticket, sir. You can um >> this is this is what I'm giving you. Okay. Give me a little bit break on the speed and I don't know what's the issue. You know, you seem to be very agitated, but um this um it say you have any more questions for me, sir? >> No, never. >> All right. So, you have a good night. Okay. >> Have a good one. >> Officer Taha issued Nate a careless driving ticket and claimed he had given him a break, but the dash cam did not support the charge, and the ticket quietly listed a higher speed in the notes to match the same penalties. Nate decided to fight the citation, knowing even a win would still leave a record behind. After surviving one reckless rookie stop, Nate had no idea he was about to cross paths with another officer who would make the very same mistakes. >> It said your license expired. So, do you have your license with you? Yes or no? I'm not going to argue with you. I just need your license, registration, insurance. It could be as simple as that and we can move on. Let me talk cuz I'm not here to argue with you cuz I'm not going to do the arguing back and forth with you. Okay. So, let me talk. You drove me You drove past while I was at the gas station. I don't know if you weigh me down if you need to help. On January 2nd, 2023, Nate was driving when he noticed a local police officer heading toward him from the opposite direction. As they passed each other, Nate lifted his middle finger and kept driving, but the officer didn't let it go. After making several turns, the rookie circled back and pulled in behind Nate. What the officer claimed next would immediately raise suspicion. What's up, man? How you doing? You got your license, registration, insurance? What have I been? >> You said what? You went down a little more so I can talk to you, man. >> No, that's good enough for me. >> All right. Listen, you you drove by and you it looked like you needed assistance. I don't know if you wave me on or you was sticking your finger up. I don't know what you was doing, whether you was waving on or you need assistance. Then I look on the registration on your on your tag and it said your license expired. So do you have your license with you? Yes or no? I'm not going to argue with you. I just need your license, registration insurance. It could be as simple as that and we can move on or else >> ago. So what have I been pulled over for exactly? >> You got your license, registration, insurance. >> What have I been pulled over for? >> Did you wave me down that you need assistance? Right there. Look. You me down assistance. And then when I got behind you to run the tag, which I'm allowed to do, it says that your license uh Uh, and tell me what's my name. What's my name? What name came back? >> I will allow you all that. I will allow you all that. I will tell you all that. What's about to happen is you about to you obstructing. You hindering my investigation. >> Obstruction is is from doing my job. So, I'm not going to argue back and forth with you. It's either you going to provide me with the credentials or we going to go in and we going to handle it that way. You got your license in your hand here. Thank you. >> All right. Perfect. >> Yeah. Is it expired? One second. >> The officer said he thought [music] Nate was signaling for help and claimed he stopped him out of concern for his safety. But once it became clear Nate wasn't in distress, the stop should have ended right there. Instead, the officer shifted gears, now claiming Nate's license might have expired. Even after seeing the license was fully valid, the officer still took it back to his cruiser, dragging the stop out even longer. That's when the reason for the stop suddenly changed again. All right, listen. Here's the deal. All right, you drove past me. I don't know if you flagged me down, if you weighed me down, or if you gave me Listen, let me talk. Let me talk cuz I'm not here to argue with you cuz I'm not going to do the arguing back and forth with you. Okay, so let me talk. You drove me, you drove past where I was at the gas station. I don't know if you wave me down if you needed help or you was in distress if you wave your hand or whatever. But listen, here's the deal. Here's your license. My computer is not cooperating with me, but you going to receive a summon. You're not supposed to have nothing obstructing your vision. Can't nothing be hanging from your mirror. So, you won't be receiving a summit in the mail. Here you go. Have a good night. >> When the officer returned, the expired license claim [music] vanished. Now, Nate was being cited for something completely different. An obstruction supposedly blocking his windshield. The obstruction turned out [music] to be nothing more than a small prayer stone that had been in Nate's car for 15 years without issue. But instead of paying the citation and moving on, Nate did something most drivers never do. He took the cop to court and that's where everything unraveled. [music] >> I was positioned stationary uh at the gas station on uh Centennial A at which time I saw uh Nathan uh drive. I mean it appeared that he was doing uh like some type of hand gesture. At the time I was unsure of what it was. So I follow uh proceeded to follow behind him uh believing that he was in distress. I did a check of the uh license plate and it showed that his uh license was um his license was expired in New Jersey. As I approached the vehicle, uh I could see well as and I saw that he had um items hanging from his window like um like a necklace. I don't want to say it was beaded, but it was like a like a necklace hanging from his window. As I began to talk to him, it was evident that he was not in distress. It was evident that he was um I guess like flipped like sticking his middle finger up at me for like an extended period of time. But due to the way that I was parked like I couldn't see it so it was as if he was like beating me to like stop him. >> Months later the case picked up again on a Zoom courtroom. The same rookie officer appeared on screen calling in while driving. Barely 4 months into the job. He claimed Nate had been flipping him off for an extended period and insisted he stopped him thinking Nate needed help. But when Nate cross-examined the officer, the courtroom tension spiked. >> Mr. Freeman, let me ask you this. Uh, is flipping off a cop a crime? >> No, it's not a crime. >> It is a First Amendment uh protected activity, correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. And you swore to uphold the Constitution when you took your job, right? >> Yes, I did. >> Okay. So, let me ask you this. Um, you claimed that my license was expired and that you ran the license plate number. Did you run that before or after you pulled me over? Excuse me. >> Did you run the license plate number before or after you pulled me over? >> Before I pulled you over, sir. >> Are you sure? I have your body cam footage, which shows you stopping me at 2:16 a.m. And then on the CAD report, it shows that you ran the license plate number at 2:18 a.m. And that that's also confirmed on your body cam. So, are you telling us the truth? >> Yes, I am. >> Okay. Uh, your honor, is there any way for me to share uh to show the body cam footage uh for us to see it? >> Judge, if I may, if the witness or the defendant rather [music] can profer the um line of questioning because [music] I'm not sure it relates to the violation. >> It does because there is no probable cause for pulling me over. CAD logs and body cam timestamps proved the plate was run 2 minutes after the stop began confirming what Nate already knew. When confronted with timestamps from the officer's own footage, the story fell apart in real time. The judge refused to watch the video. The prosecutor rested anyway and the case went to closing, but the final ruling stunned everyone. >> Prosecutor, uh, Mr. Marinowski, either of you want to make a closing argument. >> My argument is simple, your honor. Um, there was no probable cause. Uh, this officer followed me for.3 miles. He did not observe me committing any uh moving violation. Uh and so I believe that uh the initial stop was unlawful. >> I find that there was a basis to pull the vehicle over. There's no constitutional violation. The police officer clearly unequivocally had the authority under our constitution and under our case law here in New Jersey and federally to pull the vehicle over. When he pulled the vehicle over, he then for the first time noticed that there was this medallion or this bracelet or uh necklace I should say hanging from the window. And we look uh for guidance then to our statute. Uh paragraph two of that statute says no person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sign poster sticker or other non-transparent material upon the front windshield wings, deflectors, side shields, corner lights, adjoining windshield or front side window of such a vehicle. other than a certificate or other article required to be so displayed by statute or by regulation. Uh but the the crux of the statute is that it has to be there. You can't have anything there that might obstruct vision. The statute uh is itself uh uh captioned windshields must be unobstructed and equipped with cleaners. Uh, and it's clear to me that the police officer didn't notice that until he got a very close examination of the vehicle. I can't give advice, but I'll make a suggestion or I'll give you some food for thought. Uh, if you want to attract the attention of police, have stuff dangling from your rear view mirror, you know, uh, and, uh, and that certainly, uh, will, uh, in some instances attract the attention of the police. I don't think that it's been proven beyond a reasonable doubt that that item, whatever it was, bracelet, medallion, necklace, whatever it was, obstructed uh your vision. So, I find you not guilty of the charge of having an obstructed windshield. But I'll reiterate that I do find there was no police misconduct. The police had the authority under our case law and under our constitution to pull your vehicle over and he did so lawfully. In the end, the judge found Nate not guilty of the obstruction charge, admitting it was never proven to block his vision. Moving on to a rookie officer whose first weeks on the job were about to go disastrously [music] wrong. What should have been a minor mistake quickly spiraled into a federal level embarrassment for the Rudoso Police Department. >> How old are you, Ski? >> 21. >> 21. >> You know how long I've been doing this? >> Many years, sir. >> 23. I'm going to take this from you. Okay. On a routine shift, the 21-year-old rookie was sent home to shave before returning to duty. He stopped at Walmart, went back to his apartment, and shaved, [music] only to realize he had left his body camera inside after locking himself out. Instead of asking for help, he kicked in his own door, then called 911, claiming a break-in. But investigators already knew something wasn't adding up and that he wasn't telling the truth. >> Watches 56. We're ser this Katie. How can I help you? >> Hey Katie, this is 622. Um I just got back to my apartment and I think somebody broke in. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah, I just um I need to make a I need to have a unit come out here. >> But yeah, like I said, didn't see anyone go up and down the stairwell. >> So you went to Walmart, your car didn't work, so you didn't buy nothing. Came back home. >> Yeah, cuz you wound up using your electric razor. Yeah, pretty much. I mean, everything's still over there. Um, >> but I used that, got everything done, was going to go back 81 and that's when I realized my body cam is still on on the sink. >> I was going to come back down to get it and the door was wide open. >> Investigators quickly realized that the supposed break-in had been staged and the rookie had painted himself into an inescapable corner. >> How old are you, Ski? 21. >> 21. >> You know how long I've been doing this? >> Many years, sir. >> 23. So, I'm I'm pretty good about reading situations. You know what I mean? So, I want you to know that first of all, you know, I can help you out if there's something else going on here, okay? But I need you as an officer to be 100% honest with me right now. >> Yes, sir. >> 100%. >> Yes, sir. >> Now, it's my understanding you were at when you called your mom, which you say was you were sitting right here was at 6:42. >> At 6:42, you were in Walmart. >> No, sir. If this will load. I have my phone calls right here. Dispatch right there. 6:21 I was at Walmart. Okay. 642 was when I got back here. 6:46ish was when I called dispatch. Okay. Is >> this you leaving Walmart? >> Yes, sir. >> With the bag in your hand? >> Yes. I bought a candy if that's it. >> Bought a candy with your card >> with uh tap. >> Okay. But you didn't use that to buy your razor? >> No, sir. >> No. How come? >> No. But I mean, I realized that I had my electric shaver here, so I didn't really see the need to actually buy that, spend more money. >> Okay. So, listen, Steve. This is this is the time, okay? This is a very important juncture in your life. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Where I want you to be 100% straight with me. If you messed up and you kicked your door because maybe you forgot your key, maybe because you were pissed off, stuff happens. If I was in a bind and I had to kick my door, I'd kick my door. Okay, that's when we got to help each other out. If you made a mistake, you made a mistake. But this one, I need you to be straight with me 100%. You don't want to start your career with a blemish. >> During the interrogation, the officer tried to stick to his story, but discrepancies between his Walmart timeline, dispatch logs, and the physical evidence left no room for doubt. Dispatch records showed he left Walmart at 6:42 and called 911 just 4 minutes later, only having bought a piece of candy. The senior officer warned him not to ruin his career and pressed for the truth. That was when the rookie finally admitted. >> Okay, so there there's other things that I haven't told you yet that lead me to believe you're not being 100% straight up with me. Okay? So, I want you right now, put everything aside, all your emotions, any fear you might have. Be 100% honest with me, bud. Okay. I looked at the boot patterns. What do you think I saw there? Okay. It's okay. It's not the end of the world, man. But I need you to be straight with me. Okay. Why did Why did you kick it? Were you locked out? Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. It's all right. But here's the thing, man. When you when you do something like that, especially in this career, you call your buddy Munoz. Hey, dude. I I got locked out. I had to kick my freaking door. Probably going to be in trouble. So, I'm assuming maybe you thought what? That you were going to have to pay for the door cuz you kicked it or what? >> I knew that. Uh >> yeah. So, why did you kick it? I did get locked. >> You got locked out and couldn't find your key or it was in here? >> It was all that was in here. >> It was in here. Okay. All right. Well, listen. What we need to do right now is I need you to uh to take off your gear. Okay. So, you can just put that down. You can put your put your phone down or whatever. But, uh, I'm going to I'm going to take this from you. Okay. Is this a triple? Is it a thumb release? >> Okay. >> The supervisor pressed him to be honest, and the story finally cracked. The rookie admitted he hadn't been broken into at all. He had locked himself out and kicked in his own door. With the lie exposed, supervisors stepped in and ordered the rookie to remove his gear right there on the spot. >> Okay, let's go ahead and take take all your gear off. Okay. Now, keep in mind that this doesn't have to be the end of law enforcement for you, okay? This a misdemeanor. It's not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Okay? You might have another shot in the future, but you can't start your career out with a false report. Okay? It is a crime. All right. I'm going to take all the department issued stuff. So, let's gather that up. Okay. We got patches, purple stripes. >> I got to check your car. >> Oh, okay. Let let me get your unifor one piece at a time. His badge, radio, and duty belt were taken away. He was reminded that filing a false report is a crime, but he had no idea what this mistake was going to cost him. This is for our radio, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. I'm sorry, man. >> You want to keep that belt or you want to just give it back to Pat? >> I'll keep the belt. >> Yeah, cuz you said you didn't want it anymore. So, >> okay. No problem. Oh, wait. That hold. >> You can take your phone with you, bud. I'll let you use your phone while you're there. Okay. All the pockets is your phone on this side and your wallet on this side. >> Your phone on this side. >> Wallet and nothing in the front. Nothing on this side. >> Okay. >> Did you I saw you were getting your mail. Is your house key on that same keychain? >> Yeah. >> Yep. So, you didn't put in your car, right? >> Don't think so. Where' you set your mail down at? >> Uh, back on the TV. >> What did you say? >> 14. Just hang tight for a bit. >> In the end, he didn't just lose his job and credibility. He was arrested and formally charged with filing a false police report. The last case was wild, but next, an offduty rookie sparked a confrontation that will destroy his career before it even begins. >> Just chilling. >> Yeah. You ain't patrolling, no security, no nothing like that. I'm a set of thief. You a cop. What you think you doing? >> Damn, bro. Damn. >> I see this. Okay, that's fine. >> On August 21st, 2025, Ruim walked up to a police cruiser parked outside a Walmart and questioned why the same offduty officer had been sitting there for months. What started as a simple question quickly spiraled into a tense confrontation and an unexpected detention. >> What's up, Bob? >> What's up, Bob? Man, >> what you got going on? >> Just chilling in the parking lot. Just chilling. >> Yeah. >> You ain't patrolling, no security, no nothing like that. >> Uh, so they have us doing uh overtime assignment here. So >> overtime assignment >> kind of assignment like that. >> You need anything? >> Yeah. I'm just making sure you're doing what you're supposed to do. >> Yep. I'm here protecting the folks in this building. So if you need anything, just just let me know, boss man. All right. >> Yeah. So we ain't violating no 15.2-1712. Bob, >> I'm doing what now? >> Huh? >> Ru simply asked what the officer was doing, only for the moment to snap into tension as the officer suddenly accused him of trespassing. >> I'm doing what now? >> We ain't violating no 15.2-1712. I'm I'm going to look it up just make sure I'm giving you the right number. >> Look, man, I'm just sitting here working this overtime assignment, protecting the people in this building. >> So, he ain't on the clock. >> If you need if you need anything, let me know. Yeah, I know. I need to know what you're doing cuz home money. >> So, I work in this overtown assignment and it's a private property. >> This property belongs to these folks. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, again, >> do you need help or do you need assistance? >> No, I got business here. >> What business do you have here? >> That ain't none of your business. See, the difference between you and me, I'm a citizen. You a cop. What do you think you doing? Put this around your back. You trespassing. >> Hold on. My whole lady work in there. I'm recording you, by the way. >> Charlie, give me another unit, please. >> You don't want to talk to me? Damn, bro. Damn. >> Damn, bro. Hold on. Let me turn my camera off. >> As Ruhim approached the offduty officer to ask why he was parked at Walmart, the situation escalated instantly. The officer stepped out and attempted to detain him, prompting Ruhe to activate a camera and set it aside. What began as simple curiosity was about to spiral completely out of control. >> Hey, see I came up here peaceful. >> Now, I'm going to ask you this as a man, man. You uh want to go in there? They about to go on break in 15 minutes, right? >> I don't care. >> I'm here to protect these people. Why are you here? Why you doing all this? >> You want to know why I'm here? I'm meeting my old lady for a lunch break. >> You mean your old lady for lunch break? Why not mean your old lady for lunch break? Why are you over here messing with these folks? >> Cuz I got time before her lunch break. Careful. I got one to 10. >> You said messing with these folks. I'm messing with you. >> All right. Okay. That's about it. >> So, you want to see if she in there and bought us on lunch break? I know what time she's going on lunch break. They get off at 12. >> Okay. So, why why are you doing all this? >> Cuz you're breaking the law. >> Why you trespass on this property? >> I just told you I'm meeting my old lady for a lunch break. What's up? >> Why you trespass on his properties? >> What's up, bro? I just told you I'm meeting my old lady for a lunch break. >> Okay, that's fine. >> So, when she come out, you going to take these off? >> Absolutely not. >> Why not? >> When you get here, I'm going to talk to uh the property manager here and see what they want to do. >> Oh, I would strongly not do that. >> Yep. >> Cuz that that might go as uh what they call uh uh >> you know when you file a suit against a company and then uh you do something to violate some. >> Yeah. Okay, that's fine. All right. So, what you arresting me for? Cuz I ain't been trespassed from here. So, you got to give me a trespass. >> So, right now you're being detained. So, >> you didn't tell me to leave. >> All right. We're We're not We're not >> You didn't even go there. So, come on. Play your car. Hey, bro. You see that? You to yourself? >> I see this. Okay, that's fine. >> You taking Damn. >> Raheem calmly tried to explain he was only meeting his wife for lunch, but the officer wasn't hearing it, insisting it was trespassing. As the handcuffs came out, what should have ended in seconds suddenly spiraled into a full-blown standoff. >> Hey, these handcuffs kind of twisted up, too, by the way, my guy. >> I'm sorry. Well, I I'll tell you what. How about if you come over here and sit still where you need me to go, >> and then I will adjust them so they're more comfortable for you. Create that violation really got you hurt. All right. So, like I said, man, you're trying to work over time. >> And since we since I'm being the nice one here, since I am being >> I got a lighter in my pocket, right? The shape like your gun. You might want to take that out. >> Okay. This right there. You see the little nude right there? >> Right there. >> Okay. >> No problem. What's your name, boss, man? >> I ain't a What's your girlfriend name? Girlfriend. >> Okay. Are you going through? >> Exactly. I thought I thought you up. >> I hate to see you for least video. >> As three more officers rushed in on the offduty call, Raheem's detention dragged on, his every move under a microscope. And with his cameras still rolling, every second of the tense standoff was being silently locked into evidence. >> He up. >> What did I miss? >> He up. >> You know him. What is he? >> Don't give him too much info. Don't give a >> That's your camera. >> Hey, you got all my down. Oh, you recording them? >> Yeah. Oh, okay. You ain't right. What are you first doing in all of this? >> I ain't fishing for the first fish, man. Yeah. What you fishing for? I fish for every what? Bass, scratches, pipes, bro. >> Oh, it's check me out. Dream fishing. How y'all get a contract with private business? Do y'all the city police? >> What county? Whatever. So, I'll just clarify. We have jurisdiction over the entire county grass in this county. The only difference is there are minute crimes that began in due for so private property would not welcome by the would have been welcomed by the owner through the contract. Therefore, every single crime on this property here, he is minus, you know, trapped. >> During the prolonged detention, Raheem's wife arrived and backed up his account. But the tension didn't fade. With every moment captured by Raheem's cameras, it became clear this encounter was no longer about facts. It was about control and how far it might go before it finally ended. >> So, complaints can be filed online. Uh there will be uh email that you can access on police. I don't know what off the top of that, but it's easy access for a minute. If not, you shouldn't all ask for the supervisor. I don't recommend doing this or not cuz you let it go over what you already said. So, I wouldn't praise the people complaint other people like even though he didn't trust that been ter got out the car arrest. We we can do detention based off of uh an investigation package. >> Is it the cops cuff coming off? >> No, cuz they ain't break no law. You tell me. You ain't tell me to get off property. >> No. >> Yeah. I don't know. None of us know what happened before. I pointed her out. She said that I'm her husband. Ain't no hard face. Well, I know you're her husband, but you don't know what's going on in the background. You know, you have to put the information back. >> Not you and her particularly, but as police, you have to be impartial when we arrive on certain, right? We have to understand that there could be things we don't know about. Uh I um so as a whole, we deal with situations between husband and wife as if um respectfully they're not as right off that, >> right? We make sure she feels safe, you feel safe, everything is is good. >> Um, so that's where where we are at. I don't like I don't know exactly what happened. I don't see the state park. You really want different. She walked out. I was going to walk away. You pretty much did it and you jumped off the cop. >> Outstanding. >> Right there. >> The door open and got hover. After a long standoff, Raheem [music] kept pressing the officers on the legality of his detention, insisting he had done nothing wrong. His own cameras captured every tense exchange, every challenge to their authority. The situation was now at a breaking point, [music] and the rookie officer was dangerously close to crossing a line that couldn't be undone. >> All right, Mr. Barnes, let me get you out the steps. >> All right. >> All right. >> You done? >> All right. Just chill. We'll get it on and All right. [clears throat] cuz I'm pick these off and I'm going to explain something to you. All right. >> All right. I'm smart. So talking to the manager here, she have decided to not press charges against you to trespassing. Okay. >> Right. >> All right. So, but based on that, instead of pressing charges is you for trespassing, what you would like to do is to put a trespass, you know, on. So, basically, you're being banned from the property. Okay. So, if you set foot on this property again, then you'll be charged with procession. >> All right. Easy enough. So, just don't set foot on this property and you're you won't be uh won't be arrested for process. >> All right. All right. You got a car. >> Oh, absolutely. Hold on. >> How did your Go do >> Hey, he had me a handcuff. We going to watch the video, bro. >> We'll talk about it when we get home. >> I lose the light. ain't no telling where I'm last name. >> Oh, all that. >> All right. >> Name. What last name? >> That is my last name. What's the first name? Don't worry about it. >> I need all that. >> You don't need You don't need it. You're lucky you're getting that. Like I said, passing. You will be charged. >> All right. I got you, bro. I see you in court, my [ __ ] >> After a tense back and forth, Raheem was finally released. No charges were filed. No arrest was made. Only a trespass warning was issued, permanently barring him from the property. Next, a routine traffic stop in Ravali County explodes when a driver flipped off a rookie officer, turning a simple license check into a courtroom battle over free speech. >> Hey there, home with the sheriff's office. All right. >> Hey there. Okay, sir. I'm going to give you one chance. >> I'm going to ask for your >> So, I'm going to ask for your driver's license. What is your last name? First Amendment protected speech. That's what this is. >> On April 26th, 2024, what should have been a routine traffic stop in Ravali County quickly spiraled out of control. Rookie deputy Nick Helmer pulled over a driver for alleged disorderly conduct. And what began as a simple license check was about to push the limits of free speech and test the patience of everyone involved. Hey there, Deputy Home with the Sheriff's Office. Reason to stop is the blue license plate lights. Oh yeah, they have to be white, man. >> What? >> So, do you have your license registration proof insurance? Do you have a more current insurance? This one expired in October. >> All right. Here's a warning for the license plate lights. Okay. Drive safe. >> [music] >> 601.8 William license plate light color. I'm going to be trapped with another vehicle here. Burger King. >> Officers were inspecting a parked car when another vehicle drove by. Its occupants shouting insults at the police. In an instant, a routine stop [music] turned tense as the officers abandoned their initial check, returned to their cruiser, and moved in on the suspects who [music] had just provoked them. Hey there. Yep. >> Deputy home with the sheriff's office. Reason for the stop is the disorderly conduct. So, do you guys both have your driver's license, registration, insurance? >> So, what are you calling me over for? >> So, disorderly conduct and instructing a police officer. >> So, my freedom of speech. >> So, you yelling out the window, flipping me off is distracting me from my job and hindering my investigation that I was roadside with? >> No. >> Okay. Well, that's somewhere else. So, do you have your license, registration, proof insurance? >> Yes, I have everything. >> Okay. Can I have that? >> Um, I would need a lawful reason for the stop. >> Disorderly conduct obstructing a peace officer. >> That's okay. >> You can hand me your license. >> Obstruction is official. >> And now you're obstructing me again. So, do you have your driver's license, registration, and insurance? >> Yes. >> 60128. Can you send me another >> name and badge number? >> Deputy Helmer 1328. You do realize that pulling me over for my freedom of speech is a violation of my first amendment right. >> You will lose your qualified immunity for this. You know >> that's fine. >> And I will take you to court. >> That's fine. >> All right. >> So you should you should read up on the disorderly conduct law. >> I have all my information right here >> and I will be giving it to your supervisor when he shows up. >> Okay. You can hand me your driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance as well as the passenger, please. You are requested by law to do so. >> I have it right. >> I give you a lawful command to give me your driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance as well as your passenger. >> Passengers don't have to ID. >> Yes, they do. Because that's a violation of the fourth amendment and >> and the disorderly conduct. >> There was no disorderly conduct. That's freedom of speech. >> Okay, sir. I'm going to give you one chance. >> I'm going to ask for your >> So, I'm going to ask for your driver's license one more time. If you fail to identify yourself, >> okay, I'd like to have it. I have to present it. I don't have to give it to you. I have to present it. >> And I'm asking for your registration and insurance right here. Okay. I can't read it through the window. >> You know, you're going to lose your qualified immunity for this. >> Okay, that's fine, sir. I don't really care about that right now. Yeah, because it's the taxpayers that pay for the lawsuit that you cause. I know. >> Officers finally stopped the suspects, but the calm didn't last. One passenger erupted in profanity, refusing every command while the driver insisted they'd done nothing wrong. And when a suspect suddenly tried to walk off, officers had no choice but to step in fast. >> What's your name? >> I plead the fifth, sir. Sorry, I >> Okay, you are required to identify yourselves because what I saw on my traffic stop was you flip flipping me off and yelling out the window. I don't know who yelled. I don't know who flipped me off. >> First amendment protected speech. >> Okay. So, sir, please educate yourself on disorderly conduct before you start spouting it. Okay. >> You can't make a law against any of my constitutional rights. >> I need your name and contact information right now. You are obstructing and I'm just going to let you know. >> My name is Ruth. >> Ruth. >> But I refuse to give you my last name. >> All right. What's your last name? Ruth. >> I just told you I refuse to give it to you because you do not need it. Guys, I'm not playing this game over and over with you, okay? I'm telling you, you're obstructing me because you committedly >> You don't know what obstruction is. You don't know what disorderly is. Those are the first >> I'm not arguing with you, sir. We're done with you for right now. I'm going to stop talking to her. >> I did nothing wrong. >> So, Ruth, what's your last name? >> I have done nothing wrong. >> What is your last name? >> First Amendment Protected Speech. That's what this is. >> What is your last name? If you fail to identify yourself to me, I you will go to jail tonight. >> You could get one, too. First amendment protection. Free speech. >> How do you spell that? >> Free speech. First amendment. >> That doesn't bug me. >> That's what you pulled me over for. >> Question. >> Okay. >> I'm not shining my light at you. >> Where's your supervisor? >> He's on his way. I called. >> As the officers pressed for answers, the suspect's behavior only worsened. One man mocked them, laughing through the questioning, while another kept changing his story. >> [music] >> Then a sudden loud outburst from the back seat signaled that this routine stop was about to spiral out of control. >> You realize it's first amendment protected free speech. >> You guys are pulling me over for >> I didn't make the stop. >> Well, you could let him know what first amendment protected free speech is. And you could also let me know what your name and badge number is. >> Yep. Francon 15. >> Name and badge number. Deputy Rollins, badge number 13:15. >> All right, cuz nobody here is stopping him from violating my First and Fourth Amendment rights. Everybody's qualified immunity is going to be up for grabs. >> Everybody's qualified immunity will be out the window. >> As officers tried to wrap up the stop, one suspect suddenly leaned out of the car, holding his phone up as if recording while murmuring something to the second officer. His attitude shifted fast, turning a simple contact into a tense standoff. One that was seconds away from escalating. >> Instead of calling the supervisor asked for, he just calls for more backup. >> I don't know what to stop us for. He never said he just asked. >> He literally said it on my camera. It's because we yelled to police and flipped them off, which is first amendment protected speech and redress of grievance with my government. >> Government. What's your government? >> You guys, your government agents, right? >> Right. But you said your government like you were implying that you had >> No, it's what the wording of the first amendment. Do you know there's five points of the first amendment? >> I know there's probably more than that. It just depends on the state. >> No, there's five points. >> Every state has its own amendments to >> Yeah, but they can't overturn anything in the constitution. >> They don't, but they just add things to it, right? >> Five points. I got freedom of speech and freedom of redress my government, which is everybody's government. The government. >> Okay. and he's violating on both of those. >> While officers worked to maintain control, the suspect grew increasingly defiant, ignoring every instruction and backing away. His voice rose, his movements became sharper, and the tension spiked. One misstep could spark chaos. >> Am I violating your rights right now? >> By opening my back door. >> I didn't open it. >> Um, that right there says that it's open. >> Is it open? >> Yeah, >> it looks pretty close to me. It looks like you tried to open it >> and then you stopped as you were violating my Fourth Amendment right. >> It looks pretty close to me. >> Doesn't look pretty close to me. Looks like you tried to open it and you stopped because I tried it. I would have opened it all the way, right? >> No, because you already heard me talking about this mother violating my rights. Once again, I can only go off what I have and I don't have anything cuz this is not my fault. >> Because you won't ask. >> Cuz what? >> You won't ask him. >> Well, our supervisor's here now, so you can speak with him. >> All right. >> But I'm just going to tell you that like all of this could have been avoided by not doing whatever you did. Listen, >> by not using my first amendment free speech. >> That's why he stopped you, right? >> All of this could have been avoided. all this. >> So, I shouldn't use my rights because I'll get pulled over. >> There's no need. >> So, don't use my rights and I won't get pulled over. >> I'm not saying that. I'm saying don't be ignorant. There's difference. >> I'm not ignorant. He's ignorant for pulling me over. >> I mean, I'm not just going to drive down the road and flip people off. >> I am because it's my free speech. It's my first amendment protected free speech. >> Sheriff's office. You request supervisor? >> Yeah. >> Supervisor on duty. >> What's that? >> What's your badge number? >> 1333. >> All right. Um, so you're an actual supervisor? >> I am the shift supervisor. >> All right. Um, this officer pulled me over because I said the police and I flipped him off, >> which is my first amendment protected free speech. >> Okay. >> U, he is now violating my rights. >> Okay. >> It's also my first amendment redress of grievance with my government. So, he's violating my first amendment right. >> He took all my information, which is a violation of my fourth amendment right because it was against my will. Okay. >> He has no lawful reason for the stop >> and I'm hoping that you'll fix it. >> Otherwise, we'll all be in court and it will be a nice lawsuit. >> Okay. Are you familiar with disorderly conduct, Montana code annotated? >> I know that it can't violate my first amendment right. >> Okay. So, disorderly conduct is when you dis piece up by using profanities and such. So, >> proities are first amendment protected speech. >> Okay. Well, that argument needs to be had in court. Okay. So, he's finishing up some paperwork right now and then we'll get you on your way. >> All right. >> You might want to stop him before it goes to court because you guys are all going to get sued. You're all going to be named in a lawsuit because you guys didn't stop him from violating my rights after every >> He's conducting a lawful traffic stop. So, >> the suspect resisted fiercely kicking and shouting as officers struggled to control him. A supervisor arrived, instructing officers to maintain control and ensure safety while backup stepped in, heightening the tension and uncertainty of the situation. >> Disorderly conduct is punishable by up to $185 fine and up to 10 days in jail. Obstructing a peace officer is up to $500 and up to 6 months in jail. So to the offenses occurring on about April 26th of 24, how do you plead? >> I want to plead not guilty. I was wondering if I could know who the victim of this disorderly conduct was. >> Probably the law enforcement officer. It appears like [music] your honor, the First Amendment guarantees the right to freedom of speech and prohibits the state from punishing the use of words or language not within the narrowly limited exceptions uh that have been carved out uh namely true threats that incite or defame fighting words of sanenity. Even in these classes, the line between speech which may be freely spoken and that which may be regulated is finally drawn. In every case where speech is being prescribed, it must not unduly infringe upon the protected freedom. This means that that the disorderly conduct statute can only punish unprotected speech that falls within these few limited categories and no more. The first amendment is a living, breathing thing which needs that breathing room to survive and the government may only regulate speech within the narrow exceptions. The state and its charging documents are alleging that Mr. Fulton committed the offense of disorderly conduct by allegedly yelling the f-word out of the window at officers. The evidence [snorts] in the record reflects now reflects that Mr. Mr. Fton may not have even been the suspect who yelled the swear word despite the state's assertion in their answer that it was definitively Mr. Fulton. >> The courtroom showdown delivered a shock, shouting profanity and flipping off an officer from a passing car wasn't a crime. The judge ruled the officers had to tolerate offensive speech. >> The conduct being criminalized is pure speech which is staunchly protected by the First Amendment. We will hear evidence today that indicates someone used the word, your honor, pardon, but spoken into the void of the universe from a private vehicle. This expression is constitutionally protected speech because they are not fighting words, true threats or incitement. Fighting words are words that p are personally abusive epithets which when addressed [music] to ordinary citizens are as a matter of common knowledge likely to provoke violent response. So there was no particularized suspicion that a crime had been committed here because there were no fighting words. The missing piece of the puzzle here is that whoever yelled the profanity did not address the expletives towards anyone in particular and shouted into the universe. Deputy Helmer was not in close proximity. The car did not pull up alongside the traffic stop or make efforts to direct such speech at him. By these very conditions, the words spoken by someone in the vehicle [music] do not fall within the realm of fighting words. The word was not directed at any one person and was a singular expression. This makes the statute as applied to Mr. Fton [music] today unconstitutional. >> I was at a traffic stop with uh three juveniles for a separate offense. Uh, while I was looking at their driving documents, the defendant had driven by and yelled when I heard that I heard the f word and then it was kind of coherent as they were driving by. As I looked around, they were flipping me off. I ended that traffic stop and initiated the traffic stop with the defendant. >> And when you you [music] say you heard the word, was it the distinctly male voice, distinctly female? Hard to tell. >> It was a male voice. Is this correct? If you were looking at the other vehicle, you heard a sound, turned around, [music] and saw the Toyota. >> Yeah, I saw the Toyota with their um like the passenger's hand out the window flipping me off. >> Um so what was going through your head at this point? >> Uh well, I knew that I I heard I clearly heard um the profanity. Um especially with the three juveniles I was out with, I didn't believe it was okay, so I did. and that traffic stop to then go after the more egregious violation. >> The court dissected the stop, revealing that shouting profanities from a moving car doesn't count as disorderly conduct. The judge stressed that First Amendment free speech protects these words and the officer's claim that they were threatened simply didn't hold up in court. >> Right there is where he said it and then you can see the hand of the passenger quoted me off. >> There's a lot of car noise in this video. >> Yes. Was that were you able to clearly and distinctly hear the descendant? >> Yes. >> If you review the video, two, two of the passengers also snapped their head towards that field. [music] >> So that is what happened from this point. >> I handed back the driving documents and uh finished and initiated a traffic stop with the defendant. >> And did the defendant make any admissions during the course of the traffic stop? Yes, he requested a supervisor so Mah showed up and he told Pope Mahal that he yelled the police. >> This officer pulled me over because I said the police and I took him off. >> Do you recall asking for the driver's proof of insurance >> during the initial that you're saying was interrupted by Mr. Bolton? That that initial stop you were already on? >> I believe so. Yes. >> Okay. [music] And do you recall him handing you expired insurance? >> Yes. >> Okay. And so to clarify, today you've testified that the swear word was the more egregious violation >> in in my opinion, yes. Um I can always go back and review the NCI records and go talk to the driver after the fact. >> Okay. So again, I just want to clarify. You left a stop where you had not verified that a driver had valid insurance to pursue someone who had said a square word. >> Yes. >> Okay. As law enforcement, how often do you hear swearing? Um while I'm on traffic with roadside with a vehicle very rarely >> on Okay. Um do you cite everyone who swears in your presence? I >> I do speak to them if they're going to be swearing in front of children. >> Okay. But you didn't cite the Mustang driver for his use of profanity? >> No, I did not. >> Okay. >> Do you have a more current insurance? This one expired in October. >> But you would admit then that not all use of swear words is disorderly. Just fine. >> Do you think it would be fair to assume that an average citizen would expect an officer not to abandon his duties and his criminal investigations over something as insignificant as those swear words? >> I think it it all comes down to circumstantial. I can't say for every time. >> Okay. Do you understand the protections of the first amendment? >> I do. >> Okay. Are you aware that fighting words have to constitute a true threat? So, under the disorder of the conduct, it it doesn't I wasn't going under that part of the statute. It was the profane language. >> Okay. [music] And so, are are you aware that profane language is protected speech under the First Amendment? >> Yes. No. >> Okay. >> Deputy Helmer's choice to leave a routine traffic stop over a single expletive sparked courtroom chaos. The driver claimed First Amendment protection, not disorderly conduct, turning the case into a highstakes legal showdown. Just objection, judge, just because there's some he's already clarified that he wasn't cited under the fighting words statute. It was the sanity. >> Would you agree that conduct in constitution? [clears throat] >> Can you explain that? >> It's like non-verbal communication. >> Yes. >> All right. >> Did at any point you want to fight Kenneth or Rudy because of their words? >> No. >> Have you ever experienced as an officer where you've overheard someone say the word And no one has fought them. >> And no one has fought them. Yeah. >> Okay. Is it pretty unusual that someone over the wood would just get into a fight over that? >> No. I wouldn't say it's unusual. I've seen it. >> Okay. Tell me about that. Tell me about when you've seen that. >> Bar fights, stuff like that. Yeah. I don't have a something definitive to get to top my head. >> Okay. Do you think that the f-word that you heard was meant to convey any kind of threat of violence against you? >> I can't say for certain. Traffic stops are one of a dangerous part of my job. Um, those that just start screaming at me out the window could mean a whole bunch of different things. >> Do you think that there was imminent danger to you with this car passing by? >> I I don't know. At that time, the time was stopped. Again, I just want to reiterate that you voluntarily chose to end your investigation into a violation of law to pursue someone who need another violation of law. Yes. >> No further questions. >> During the hearing, the deputy admitted abandoning a traffic stop to chase a car, shouting profanity, exposing flaws in the rookie officer's judgment and the fragile line between law and free speech. >> I just would like to clarify a few points. uh is very made some points about the fighting words, but [music] just to clear up that deputy Palmer made a clear point that he was cited that Mr. Fton was cited under the profanity portion of the statute, not fighting. [snorts] Um so making the argument a bit frivolous. Also, [music] she focused quite a bit on his decision to leave the current traffic stop [music] to pursue another one. That's police discretion that he can absolutely make a choice based on being on the ground of what is the more pressing um matter and again there was the mention of imminent danger. [music] None of that is part of the statute. It is just that they knowingly disturb the peace by shouting and as you saw here. >> So the state has as correctly assessed that he was cited under the [music] profane use of language. The argument that we've made today and in our motion to dismiss is that that as applied is unconstitutional because the words do not rise to the level of fighting words. They are protected first amendment speech. As to the as to Deputy Helmer's choice to leave the traffic stop, this just speaks to the fact that it was not an obstruction of justice. He chose to voluntarily end his traffic investigation [music] to pursue what he perceived to be another violation of law. So there could not be an obstruction of justice where it was a choice voluntarily made by the officer. Again, your honor, I'd like to reiterate that the issue that we've raised today in the motion to dismiss is that this is a first amendment violation [music] as applied. We're not arguing that the Constitution as a whole is unconstitutional, but as it is applied for this instance, it is [music] unconstitutional because it is attempting to punish protected speech. The defense argued the profanity citation was unconstitutional, emphasizing the rookie officer voluntarily left the initial stop and punishing protected speech was legally wrong. Yet the fallout from this decision was far from over. Regarding the motion to dismiss, I would just like to reiterate, I mean, on all the motions we've already submitted, don't want to waste the court's time anymore, but state versus Robinson, um, it was a 2003 case, it was so similar to these facts that it the court, the Montana Supreme Court specifically whether or not this disorderly statute, disorderly conduct statute was constitutional. judge. This is probably just a slow uh paperwork slowdown in our office, but I I filed to submit this this case. Um in the past day or so, you just probably haven't received the motion from us yet. >> Submitted [music] for what? >> That the case was >> Were you aware of that? >> I have not seen an order yet. >> Yeah, I haven't seen anything. >> That's what I told my parallegal. I gave her the case, but she has a stack, so it's probably in her basket. But just want to hold this up here. >> Okay. Can you have it filed by Friday? >> Yes, sir. >> All right, Mr. Fton, it appears that the state has chosen to dismiss this case against you. Um, I did rule against you after that hearing. I suggest you maybe look at the law a little closer about rights and consider that if somebody did something and distracted a law enforcement officer and they were trying to help your family that it could be really detrimental. So, just think about that if if you don't like them or whatever whatever the gig was with law enforcement, just try to consider the whole situation that if they were in the process of helping your family member that needed something or or your family member had just had a problem and law enforcement was trying to investigate that that that could be a distraction that could hurt someone or cause a problem and it would be a real travesty if it happened to be your family. After delays in filing, the judge finally dismissed the case, leaving the defendant free. But a warning lingered, "Know your [music] rights." Meanwhile, the narrator hinted at consequences yet to come. Civil action against the officers, [music] and a reminder that even small distractions can escalate into bigger problems. >> I like to refer to things like this of [music] an ambulance is coming down the road, and people won't pull over cuz they don't think they need to. And it's not a big deal unless it's your dad having a heart attack in the back of that. It's okay. I I don't know what the hangup is or why you're unhappy with law enforcement, but hopefully you can get that resolved. So, we I don't see this and and I hope you understand that those law enforcement officers don't make enough money to be a distraction to people or or they're just trying they're just out trying to do their jobs. Okay? You can probably be a bigger help than hindrance. Okay. In the end, they were initially charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer, but the case was dismissed, moving on to a late night traffic stop that seemed [music] routine until a passenger started filming, tempers flared, and officers escalated the situation in a way that left everyone [music] stunned. >> What is wrong with this? >> Oh my god. What the Oh, hell no. >> Reach around and I'lling smack you. >> Are they drunk? >> You guys are already acting up. Reaching around, you're making people around. >> You're making me feel unsafe. >> Get in the car. On February 20th, 2022, a routine car meet turned chaotic when police officers approached a parked [music] group of friends. What began as a simple ID check quickly escalated into a tense confrontation, [music] leaving one passenger violently removed from the vehicle. >> Talk a lot. >> You want to reach around, >> be quiet. >> You want to reach around the car. >> You want to re, bro? Record all you want. >> What's your badge number, please? >> Badge number 89. Officer Kfel Shbury Police Department. You understand? Don't put I'll break this. Don't >> What is wrong with this? OH MY GOD. What the Oh, hell no. >> Put my life in danger. Get out of the car right now. Reach around and I'lling smack you. >> Are they drunk? >> Get out. Get out. Don't reach around. You understand me? >> Don't reach. >> What are they doing? >> They're recording this. Are you guys drunk? Stay in the car. >> I'm a girl. You stay away from me. >> Stay in the car. >> I hear him. >> Don't listen. Don't. Why you grabbing your gun for? >> Don't be acting up. You guys are already acting up. Reaching around. You're making people >> around. >> You're making me feel safe. >> Get in the car. >> The hell? Don't touch me. You're a whole male. >> The is wrong with him. >> One thing at a time. >> I've never seen cops do that. >> Officers escalated quickly when they noticed a passenger filming, [music] claiming he was reaching around, yanking him out of the car, breaking the window to justify their use of force, [music] and setting the stage for a confrontation that would escalate beyond anyone's expectations. In the end, the man was charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. But with the investigation [music] still unfolding, officers were far from finished digging into the group's actions. Next is the case of a rookie officer whose routine traffic stop unleashed years of accusations and exposed a pattern of misconduct darker than anyone imagined. >> No, I I SWEAR I >> seizure mining seizures. On February 26th, 2017, a routine traffic stop led to a woman, Patricia, accusing a state trooper, Lloyd, of an invasive search. The first crack in a case that would soon reveal disturbing patterns of misconduct, repeated complaints, and a career spiraling far beyond anyone's expectations. >> I look like I was on, then proceeded to ask me if I was on or alcohol. >> No, I I swear I could. >> No, I'm hell you. >> I told him, "No, no alcohol, nothing. >> No, no, no, no. Sir, >> I AM >> SORRY. I'M THINKING MY MAMA over here. >> No, no, I don't take any kind of narcotic or anything else. >> Lloyd questioned Patricia and the stop rapidly escalated. He claimed her pupils looked pinpoint, pressed her about drugs and medications [music] and pushed the encounter toward a DUI investigation. A shift that left her confused, intimidated, and unaware of how far the situation was about to go. He had me spread my legs, put my hands on the hood of the car, told me to bend and arch my hips down real quick before. >> I was completely humiliated being pulled out of a car for the first time, being touched the way I was touched in the areas that I was touched. He put his hands all the way down in the front of my pants >> and then all the way around. >> Patricia complied with the troopers tests, but as soon as she shared information during the stop, the encounter escalated, leaving her humiliated and exposed in ways she never expected. >> We have a decorated soldier that has been with the highway patrol for a long period of time that's made significant arrest for the population here. uh getting rid of drugs, immigrants uh that are being transported illegal, seizure of money, seizures of uh and now these allegations. Don't condemn this gentleman until you know the rest of the story. He has done nothing wrong and I'm very honored and proud to represent him. >> Despite multiple complaints against him, Trooper Lloyd continued on duty, racking up arrests and maintaining his reputation. But his unchecked actions were setting the stage for an inevitable reckoning. The Lfallet City Council voted 3 to1 to promote Isaiah Lloyd as a full-time patrol officer. >> Officer who was once hailed as officer of the year in 2023 suddenly found his past catching up to him. Years earlier in 2017, he had been accused of shocking misconduct during routine traffic stops. First placed on unpaid leave in January, he ultimately resigned in February, leaving behind a career marked by controversy. Trooper Isaiah Lloyd faced no criminal charges. Instead, he was investigated, received internal disciplinary actions, had his law enforcement certification suspended for 2 years as part of a civil lawsuit settlement, and ultimately resigned from his position. Next up, a standard traffic check spiraled out of control, showing how one rookie officer's missteps [music] can destroy his entire career. >> You don't care about, do you? >> No, I've never had no, >> I know. >> It was awkward. >> Yeah. As soon as I saw it, that's why I stopped. And I want to personally apologize to you. Okay. >> On January 5th, 2019, Kie Coats and her boyfriend were pulled over by Louisville Metro Police for a routine traffic stop until officers discovered Coats had an outstanding bench warrant. Things took a darker turn when rookie officer Tyler Galnet claimed he smelled marijuana and ordered Coats out of the car for a search. What followed next went far beyond protocol. You don't hear about, do you? Do me a favor. Bring her back here. Okay. This is one time it it's best to bring her back here because of the traffic on Greenwood. Okay. >> All right. >> He's got me there. >> Wait. Okay. Go ahead. >> Yeah. >> You don't hear about, do you? >> No. >> Galnet's pat down crossed legal and professional boundaries, prompting a senior officer on scene to immediately step in and stop the search. He personally apologized for the rookie's mistake, ensured the search remained professional, and [music] promised everything was being recorded. >> Hey, hey, hold on. Stop. Stop. Time now. Time now. >> Go back there. Go back there. >> Ma'am, do you have anything on you? >> No. >> Okay. Can you do me a favor? Just hang tight right here. Okay. >> What is the >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You can shut the door and let Is that your daughter? >> He's training. He's >> He's training. >> Yeah. He's supposed to call a woman to really actually pass. >> Actually, it's with with male officers. It's supposed to be the back of the hand. So, as soon as he did the He did it wrong. Ma'am. Ma'am, listen to me. >> Ma'am, can you turn around? >> I'm sorry. >> No, it's just the way he he's he's a new officer. I'm training him. He hold his fingers. I'm sorry. I thought only a female I don't have anything on me. Only a female officer. >> Male males can search females, but we are we are supposed to use the back line. >> There's violation right there. So that's why as soon as I saw him, I stopped and told him to go to the back of the car. Okay. >> Okay. It's all being recorded. I want to let you know that. I want to reassure you of that. Okay. Is that your daughter in the car? >> That's my niece. >> Nice. All right. I know she's probably a little worried. If you want to let her know everything's okay. Go ahead. >> All right. You can. All right. Now, I need to check just make sure that there's no car. >> He already told me that y'all smoke earlier. Okay. I want to reassure you. Once we do that, be on your way. Okay. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. You okay, ma'am? >> Listen, >> it was just I've never had no >> buddy. I know. >> It was awkward. >> As soon as I saw it, that's why I stopped and I want to personally apologize to you, right? >> Despite the initial reasons for the stop, Coats was released without a citation. But the incident didn't end there. She later filed a lawsuit claiming Galnet had violated her rights by inappropriately touching her during the [music] search, a case that included allegations of assault, battery, and constitutional violations. The city eventually settled for $50,000, leaving a permanent mark on Galnet's record. The rookie officer's troubles didn't stop with this case. [music] By November 2020, he faced unrelated charges, including official misconduct and trafficking. Accused of misappropriating Mar for a personal [music] connection. Galet ultimately resigned and pleaded guilty to official misconduct in 2021, turning what began as a routine traffic stop into the unraveling of a career.