around. Turn around. You're not touching me, bro. Get off right now. I guess you're not wrong with me, bro. >> He said, "Call me stupid one more time." So, I looked at him funny and I was like, "Stupid, stupid, stupid." >> That's the exciting part of policing. It's to make it more peaceful for the community to go about their everyday lives. >> You've heard me talk about corrupt cops, but what about an entire police department? >> He decides to patch me and flip me off. When we think of the worst police departments in the US, names like New York and Baltimore often come to mind. However, Waterberry PD has its fair share of bad apples, too. So, what's the deal with Waterberry PD? In today's video, we're going to dive into that very question. But before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's take a look at how the Waterberry Police Department describes itself and the purpose it's supposed to uphold. Integrity is the foundation of excellence and striving for excellence through continuous improvement. All illustrate the Waterberry Police Department's commitment to community relations. It's a very welcoming, very friendly environment. Everybody's always willing to help you out. I can't say enough how how much this job has actually played a real factor in my life. Scrutiny of police procedures and consequences when an officer is accused of wrongdoing have increased since 2020 after police officers killed George Floyd in Minnesota and Briana Taylor in Kentucky among other people elsewhere in the country. The city of Waterberry established its first official police force on Thursday, July 28th, 1853. This inaugural force consisted of 25 men led by Superintendent Samuel Warren known as constables. These early officers earned between 15 and 25 cents per hour. Old as gold. Couldn't be more accurate in this situation. Cops of the past delivered professionalism for minimal pay. Today, despite all the perks and benefits police officers receive, corruption is more rampant than ever. Complaints against Waterberry police officers since the beginning of 2020 range from the minor examples of cops misbehaving and shouting at citizens to the serious where excessive use of force was unnecessarily applied. Here are just a few of the headlines this PD made. And this is what the chief has to say. I think that this administration does a really good job of policing ourselves. It's a difficult job. Waterberry police chief Fernando Spagnolo. Really? Because our first issue is something America has struggled with for years. Racism. Waterberry, historically a forward-thinking department, employed its first African-American police officer as early as 1946. Sadly, today it's people of color who suffer the most from the brutality of these corrupt officers. The issue of misconduct, misbehavior, racism, and the overall tyrannical nature of these cops reached a tipping point back in 2019. people had had enough, leading to an audit of the Waterberry PD. During the audit, it was discovered that around 311 state troopers were responsible for major recordkeeping discrepancies. These officers filed over 26,000 completely falsified traffic tickets and more than 32,000 tickets with inaccurate information into the racial profiling system. Shockingly, one officer alone was responsible for over 1,350 of these fake citations. Can you imagine that? This led to the Connecticut Racial Profiling Prohibition Project, CTRP3, which is all about tackling racial profiling headon. It started because people wanted to shine a light on what was happening during traffic stops and make sure everyone was being treated fairly. >> I knew there was something wrong when I saw the police officer creeping up beside me, but I couldn't think of nothing that I had did. So, you know, and as I marijuana, >> we don't smoke marijuana. Police are thinking we're criminals and that's not true. >> It's wrong to judge anybody by their skin tone. >> Because you're a police officer doesn't mean you can abuse anybody you want. >> But at the same time, they have officers like this. >> We're in this parking lot right now. >> I'm so sorry. >> Pull over. >> Oh my gosh. Please don't yell at me. >> Pull over now. >> Oh my. Is there someone else with you? >> No. Pull over. God damn it. The project looks at data from traffic stops like the driver's race, age, and gender to see if there are any patterns that suggest bias. This helps identify where changes are needed and keeps police departments accountable. >> You may be thinking here that what's the big deal? We're just talking about traffic tickets, but we're actually not. We're talking about ethics and integrity. >> If they're lying about the little things, what's to stop them from lying about the bigger things? >> The Alvin W. Pen racial profiling prohibition act passed in 1999 is the backbone of this effort. It requires police departments to report this data regularly helping to track progress and address any disparities in treatment. Is that always the case or are these officers breaking their own rules? I think they definitely are. What's worse is that it led to >> you have to tell me why you should stop. And he looked at me and he said no I don't. by law, I don't have to tell you why I stopped you. So, when I found that out, I was like, "Oh, no. This is a problem. We have to do something about this." I think a lot of times when people are pulled over, they get nervous, they get anxious, they make mistakes, especially in predominantly communities of color where there's tension between the police and civilians at times. So, we just think that it would be a good idea and good safety measure. institutional coverup revealed not just individual misconduct but institutional complicity protecting those involved instead of addressing the issue transparently. The mayor of Waterberry, Neil Oolir, said he believes the internal affairs division does a very good job rooting out bad apples as have past police chiefs. Let me just show you this guy. >> This is a serious matter. Sir, >> you want to talk to the police chief about it? >> He won't he won't release my phone to me. I'm from New York. >> I'm from New York. >> I'm the mayor, not the police chief. But you can you can you can advise the police chief to it's an unlawful arrest. Sir >> mayor does not advise the police chief to bear. >> Does he work at your behest? >> Have a nice day. >> And now take a look at this again. >> That's the exciting part of policing. It's to make it more peaceful for the community to go about their everyday lives. >> I don't need to say anything about these liars. The Waterberry Police Department has nothing to hide. He said, well, except for these trooper names that he tried so hard to protect. We have a high level of confidence that false and inaccurate records were submitted to the racial profiling database. >> The audit found 26,000 false tickets. And while they weren't actually given to anyone, it skewed racial data because most of the troopers put down white for race. What's the push for more tickets? >> You get pressure from your superior. You don't get certain work assignments. You don't get a new car. You get transferred further away from your home. We're talking about hundreds of our officers that's alleged of engaging in this kind of behavior. And if in fact it is true, I think those individuals uh should not be uh in law enforcement. >> A highly detailed report following an independent investigation states that the police ticket controversy was largely a problem of sloppy recordkeeping, mistakes, and lack of training, and not intentional misconduct. while prompting legislative hearings and a federal investigation. These actions are seen as insufficient band-aids on a gaping wound without addressing the root of the problem. >> And will state lawmakers in the Senate unanimously voted last week to advance this proposal, which would require law enforcement tell people why they pulled them over. This bill coming from legislators and residents who say they didn't realize this wasn't already a law here in Connecticut. You have a police officer on the stand who has a tendency to make things up already about the race of drivers that they may or may not have pulled over. Now I can get into that and say, "Well, wait a minute. You are part of this. Maybe you aren't necessarily telling truth. At least it gives me something to go on." But we don't stop with only lying troopers. Here we have angry officers who think they can get away with anything, which I guess you can if you're in Waterberry. On the 13th of December 2022, Officer James Hinkle was in charge of directing traffic at an intersection in Waterberry. This is when he sees a car rushing through the intersection not hailing to his command. And Hinkle went on to do something with a huge consequence. the car. Alpha 3. Give me Pull over. Hle wastes no time and walks straight through the intersection directly towards the car. His blood boiling like never before. >> Pull in the parking lot. >> We're in this parking lot right now. I'm so sorry. >> Pull over. >> Oh my gosh. Please don't yell at me. >> Pull over now. >> Oh my. Is there someone else with you? >> No. Pull over. God damn it. I'm not repeating myself. >> Get out of the roadway and pull over. [Music] Turn the car off. Oh, put your ammo already. I want you to stop. License and registrations now. [Music] >> Even when directing her off the public roads, he has no care for how the woman is feeling scared or worried at this point. If only his tone was less menacing. >> Did you not see this bright yellow vest standing in the middle of the street? >> No, I did. I thought you were leaving. >> No, this means stop. This means stop. I didn't see that until I was already passing >> and then you still drove by me. >> I'm so sorry, sir. I didn't >> License and registration now. >> Hold on. Hold on. Sorry. Give me a second. Okay. >> No. License to registration now. >> Okay. Okay. Okay. >> You almost ran over an officer standing in the middle of the street. >> I I'm so sorry. I didn't realize what was going on. That was very confusing. >> It's a bright yellow jacket standing in the middle of the street. What don't you understand? >> All the other cars were going through. >> No, they weren't. You were the only vehicle coming from that way. You almost ran me over in the middle of the street. The woman realizing her mistake was trying to talk it out with Hinkle, but he wasn't listening to anything at all. Even when she's trying to apologize and comply, Hinkle maintains the same tone, simultaneously rushing her. >> Out of your car and stand next to the fender. >> Leave your purse in the car. Where you work? >> I work for a clothing company in California. >> What are you doing here today? >> I'm going to Target. >> You're going to Target? >> Yeah. do a pickup. >> What is such an important factor that me standing in the middle of the street stopping you >> and you tried to run me over? >> Sir, I swear I >> And then you looked at me, you waved at me and then you kept going anyway. >> I swear I was not trying to run you over. I thought you were the cars were going. >> I'm telling you to stop in the middle of the street and you wave at me and keep going. >> I I saw your hand before and I it was too late to stop and >> No, it wasn't. You were doing 10 m an hour and you still drove by me. >> You didn't even attempt to stop your car. >> Sir, >> you're lucky you're not in handcuffs right this second. >> If the woman was less remorseful about the whole situation, perhaps this kind of response from Hinkle could be understood. But he keeps bulldozing her, bringing her to the verge of tears. >> I'm very sorry, sir. I really >> explain to my kids why why they don't have a dad a week before Christmas because you're trying to run somebody over. >> Sir, I promise. >> You see the bright lights flashing in the middle of the street? That means you use caution. There's a cop out there. I got kids at home and you almost ran me over a week before Christmas. >> Sir, when I see a flashing yellow light, >> it's not flashing. It's red and blue. That's a cop car standing in the middle of the street flashing lights. >> I promise I was not. [Music] >> No, it's not an accident. You're just being irresponsible. He keeps on shouting at her and some more before backup arrives on the scene. >> And then wave at me and still tries to drive by me. >> Run her, please, and make sure she's valid. >> What is it? [Music] >> I can't believe you. A week before Christmas, I almost get ran over. I got two kids at home waiting for me to come home tonight. >> Sir, I'm very sorry. I saw >> Sorry he doesn't break it. >> You looked right at me and still decided to drive by me. >> I was in the middle of the >> No, you weren't. I was in the middle of the intersection. >> Hle cannot contain himself whatsoever. He takes intervals to rest his throat just so that he can continue to shout at her louder and harder every single time. >> Are you hurt? Emotionally, >> Hinkle keeps seeming to justify his actions and words purely because of how he's feeling right now, which doesn't seem like a valid excuse for the officer of the law. >> Would you mind filling this out for me? My hands are a little shaky right now. >> Failing to be a signal officer. >> Reckless driving. He slaps her with charges of failing to obey an officer and for reckless driving, which seems more like a stretch since the woman wasn't trying to break any laws on purpose. >> See, this is why I was trying to direct traffic because it's >> department coming out here or what? >> Yeah, they've been out. They had to pick up a part. They're going back to get the a new part to fix the light. travel. >> I was out here for 25 30 minutes. Could you get so >> 30 minutes doing traffic and almost got ran over once? >> Yeah, man. >> Everybody else, no problem. No problem. >> Vehicle had a dog and took off neighborhood. >> Anytime you see flashing red and blue lights in the middle of the street, it means there's cops present. >> No, stop talking. Stop talking. And it means you need to pay attention because there's going to be police officers out and about. Okay, this bright yellow vest, it's very, very bright. It's neon yellow because it stands out. Okay, I'm standing in the middle of the street telling you to stop. That means stop. I'm not waving hi, Merry Christmas. This means stop. Listen, this means stop. Okay, when you see me do this and try to get your attention and stop you again, it doesn't mean wave back to me and keep driving by me. It doesn't mean that. I'm not waving merry Christmas. Keep driving. Inkle still doesn't give her the time of the day to let a single sentence out. Instead, he just wants to lecture and bark at the poor lady. Stop >> all of this. I'm sorry. >> Then what were you doing in your vehicle? >> I was paying attention to the cars in front of me. >> There were no cars in front of you. There were zero cars in front of you. You were the only vehicle traveling on that road for 500 ft. There were no vehicles in front of you. >> No, there wasn't. >> Okay. The lady wisely decides at this point that there's no use in trying to fight this uphill battle with Hinkle, but it was not as if she was willing to forget about the whole incident altogether. She proceeded to report him to following the Department of Internal Affairs decided after their investigation to terminate Officer Hinkle for his verbal abuse on that day, but they don't seem too keen on their decision. Turns out they want to reinstate Hinkle. The termination of the officer James Hle should be reduced to a 120-day suspension. The State Board of Mediation and Arbitration found on April 5th. Why even punish him? He did nothing out of the ordinary, just something every Waterberry officer does. But Hinkle wasn't the only officer with bad run-ins with citizens. Many have come out with their stories regarding Waterberry and its tyrants. Just take a look at these comments and reviews that people have made regarding the PD. Now to an IT team exclusive. A Waterberry man preparing to file a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Waterberry Police Department. Now, his attorney claims the man was viciously assaulted inside the Waterberry jail. Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Cassidy Williams is here to break down the video of what happened. Cassidy. 25-year-old Elijah Guadalupe was in the jail on an arrest warrant for criminal trespassing and resisting an officer after court records say he was filming inside the parole office and refused to leave. His attorney shared with us two body cam videos of what happened inside the jail. We want to warn you, the video is graphic. >> Turn around. >> You're not touching it, bro. Get off me right now. >> Bro said, "Are you stupid?" I didn't get a phone call. And then when he finally came over to myself, he said, "Call me stupid one more time." So I looked at him funny and I was like, "Stupid, stupid, stupid." And then that's when he grabbed me and pulled me into the bars. lawsuit after lawsuit. These insane strings of scandals have not only drawn the outrage of regular citizens all over the nation, but have also made Waterberry PD one of the best at cover-ups and playing the PR game. During a press conference, police chief Fernando Spanolo said he would welcome a civilian board to review the internal investigations and make recommendations, but he believes the current process of investigators policing their own is working. I think that this administration does a really good job of policing ourselves. Spanolo said, "It's a difficult job. There are 300 police officers and 70 plus civilian employees that my administration is responsible for, and we hold people accountable. We hold people to task. We are very good at communicating what our expectations are." Very wonderful words from the chief who himself was accused of being involved with intimidating and forcing a citizen to admit to criminal liability. With that in mind, we can see the chief's status quo working right here in this very next case. >> Is it in the original dispensary container? No. >> Turn around. >> May 18th, 2020, Waterberry State Trooper Matthew Spina made a traffic stop after the driver, Kevin Jetty, hit 60 in a 40 mph zone. So far, the reason seems fair enough, but unfortunately, Spina was in a bad mood. Could I just ask you why you're riding their butt like that and speeding? Man, >> I'm running his license plate cuz everybody else is speeding. Why are you speeding? >> I was only going 60. >> Speed limit's 40 signs. >> Okay, >> bye-bye. >> Before this stop, Kevin had just watched Spina himself speeding and tailing another vehicle and simply asked how this blatant double standard was fair. >> Oh, give me the weed, too. >> No, I I have a >> marijuana. I have a car. Step out. >> All right. All right. Stop, man. >> One in your mouth. No problem. You came the right guy. Step out. >> All right. All right. Stop. >> Stop. >> Please. Sharp. >> No, sir. >> Where's the marijuana? >> I have it in my car, but I have >> I have a weed card apart. >> Kevin tries to explain he's legally allowed to possess marijuana, but Spina refuses to even let him explain and forces him out of the car. You can tell that this is completely personal. >> See the blue car? >> Yeah. Which one? >> Was tailing me. >> Yeah. >> While I was pacing a tractor trailer looking for a motor vehicle violation because the governor's office has gotten multiple complaints >> on traffic stops. >> I know. >> Okay. >> I know that. >> So, we're all doing our thing. >> Okay. >> He decides to pass me and flip me off. >> All right. I'm sorry. >> All right. >> Yeah. I'm sorry. >> Who the you think you are worried about what I'm doing? Okay. >> You're right. >> I know I'm right. Now everyone's got something to say. Mind your own business. >> You're How would I start with that? >> I'm sorry. >> No, I was following that kid for a reason. And if you hadn't done that stupid stunt, I'd be with him right now. But no, you just couldn't leave it alone, could you? Spina detains Kevin and begins to rant about his earlier road rage incident with a tractor trailer. Since when did cops have the right to turn citizens into their forced therapists? An ironic example of a literal captive audience. >> Is it in the original dispensary container? Then you're How's that sound? >> No. Mind your own business next time. >> Yeah, it's called shut the up. I was driving along. I was going to ask you a simple citation that I keep. But no, you got to just couldn't shut your mouth. Where you going anyway? >> Where do you work? >> Where? >> It's called the American P. >> What's that? >> It's a >> paper. >> Yeah. You know, like the liquor bottles and stuff that comes in like the trains. I promise you I only have weed in the car. Honest to goodness. and it's all right here in my box right here. >> Kevin at this point is terrified of this guy and just doing whatever he says, which is completely understandable. Spina begins searching through his car and his belongings. Mind you, Kevin is still only detained, so this search is completely illegal. I cleaned him off. [Music] Why am I speed? I'm doing my job. Canada General Statute 14-298 allows law enforcement officers to disregard the traffic laws in the performance of their duties. How the am I going to catch a speeder if I'm not speeding? >> You like for your job at NASA with physics? >> Right, man. >> Where do you want this to get trashed? >> I can I can tell >> I don't want to get ruined. It's unbelievable. It just never ends in thising job. I got 14 months. I can't wait to be done. This ought to tell you why our department instead of having 1300 has 850 right now. There's a clue to the public. What a bunch of you are. [Applause] Right there. You want it on paper or not? >> Well, >> is it in the original dispensary container? Turn around. Every little You think I'm kidding? You think? Look at me. I don't think I'm happy with you right now. Shut your mouth, mind your own fingers, and be on your way. Don't you ever me again. >> This officer's deescalation skills are phenomenal. 14 years of pentup aggravation come out in one traffic stop on one poor lucky sap. After such blatant abuse caught on camera, not even the higher-ups at Waterberry could cover that up. Spina never lost his job and instead got reassigned. Despite the PD being given a warning in 2020 by internal affairs, this PD would inevitably find itself into more scandals. So much so that the cop turnover rate increased drastically. And here they are asking us to join them in helping terrorize locals. No thanks. Being born and raised here in Waterberry, graduating from the local public high school, I knew a lot of people within the community. I use my position as a police officer to help in any way that I can. Especially the kids. I drive by my old neighborhood often and I see all the kids playing outside in the park. I'll pull over, have some conversation with them. I take a couple shots of basketball with them. I want to change some kids' mind about police officers and welcome them into this profession. Waterberry is the best department to come to. There's just numerous opportunities for advancement divisions you can go to, not just patrol. So you get to experience a lot more that you wouldn't be able to at another department. >> Yeah. Experience corruption more like >> my favorite aspects of the job probably coming to work every day going on the road and helping other police officers with their cases that they're working on. Utilizing my dog when I can. To me that's the most rewarding part about it cuz it it ends up helping the community out and that's what it's all about. [Music] Are you ready for an exciting, rewarding, and challenging career? >> Alpha 2 in a motor vehicle accident with injuries. Head over to West Main Street and Thomasson Avenue. Code three. >> Alpha 2. Copy. Then the Waterberry Police Department has an opportunity for you. >> Well, at least they're doing what they do best, act. But the civilians who do go head-on head with this PD are brave auditors who know their rights. Take a look at this interaction and you'll have an idea of the type of cops that are bred in Waterberry CT. >> We own this building. >> It's not a public building. >> This is not a public building. >> You can't go in and walk around. >> On October 30th, 2018, a popular auditor and YouTuber known as Northeast Auditor operating in Connecticut had also come to do a First Amendment audit of the infamous Waterberry PD when he was suddenly apprehended and unlawfully charged for interfering with an officer. I am in the city of Waterberry, Connecticut, and uh we're going to perform a First Amendment audit on the Waterberry Police Station. See if they uh respect our right to film. Officer coming out right there. That's pretty good. No issues so far. So, obviously someone walked uh drove out, saw us there, didn't say anything. So, that's what we want to see. Always say in my videos that, you know, I'm not one of those that's out trying to stir up trouble. Um, you know, if if I had it my way, it wouldn't make for the best videos, but we would have no contact and people would just leave us alone cuz at the end of the day, that's what we're all going for. just the ability and the idea that, you know, we're not going to get messed with when we try to film. >> The audit surprisingly starts off pretty good so far. As we can observe, he's peacefully filming on public property and not harming or interfering with anyone's business. And no one is interfering with his, but unfortunately, it wouldn't stay this way. >> What are you um what are you taping? >> Just getting footage. >> Oh, like just about the building or >> Yeah. >> Any specific reason? >> Just getting content for a story. What kind of story? >> Well, it's not published yet, so I'm not going to divulge what it is. What's your name and badge number? >> Sergeant Frank Leon. >> Thank you. What's your uh badge number? >> 738. >> Thank you. >> You got You got ID on you? >> Yeah. >> No. >> Yeah, we need ID. We need ID >> for a First Amendment protected activity. >> Well, it's actually security issue. >> Security issue? >> Yeah, you're videotaping the police station. >> I'm getting I'm a journalist getting content for a story, >> which is fine. So, you'd have no problem on giving us >> Why would I have to give you my ID for performing illegal activity? How do we know it's legal? >> What's always a shock is how little these cops often know about their own statute of laws, leaving it on the citizens to school them about First Amendment activities. >> That's the beauty of the Constitution. You don't need to know that, right? I'm filming on a public legally asking for your ID. >> And that's is that that's a lawful order? >> That is >> Are you sure? >> Yeah, I'm positive. >> Okay. Well, I'm not going to provide my ID. >> Okay. >> There's no reason I haven't performed any illegal acts. I'm on a public sidewalk as you can see. Yes. Filming the police department supposed to be secure. We don't want people coming here. This is a place building. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. That that in there is very public. It's not public. >> We own this building. >> It's not a public building. >> This is not a public building. >> You can't go in and walk around. >> In the lobby? In the lobby? >> In the lobby? >> Yeah, you're This is a public building. I'm filming from outside on a public space. >> You're not allowed to videotape the police station. >> You most certainly can. >> No, you're not. I can't. Actually, >> you most I'm a thousand% sure you can film anywhere outside. You sure about that? >> Yeah, I absolutely >> I am. >> You're sure about that as well? >> Okay. >> Well, I'm not going to provide my ID. I haven't performed any illegal activity. >> Can you articulate a crime I've committed or >> reasonable suspicion? >> Of what crime? >> I don't know if you're about to blow up the building. If you're setting fire >> can you articulate a crime I've committed? >> You're videotaping secure areas and places. >> That's not a crime. >> So, I'm going to need you to let me know what crime I've committed. >> Reasonable suspicion. You do not have to commit a crime. >> Am I being detained right now or am I free to go? Yes. Okay. On what? Under what suspicion of what crime? >> Reasonable suspicion. I don't know. >> Are you sure about this? >> I'm positive. >> Okay. >> I would I would ask for a supervisor to come out at this point because you provide identification or not. >> I'm not providing any identification. That's >> behind your back. You're being detained. >> Okay. That's fine. >> Just like that for simply inquiring about the specific law that he was breaking. He straight away gets detained for reasons that are wholly unconstitutional since the auditor wasn't getting in any officer's way. What's interesting is that today these cops would still defend their actions. There is no law that prohibits you from filming a police department. It only alters into a crime when you're impeding or getting in the way of officers going about their duties. This makes the officers guilty for falsely charging the auditor with interfering with an officer. Connecticut statute 53A to 167A. A person is guilty of interfering with an officer when such person obstructs, resists, hinders, or endangers any peace officer or firefighter in the performance of such peace officers or firefighters duties. But he isn't the only auditor who has had a bad runin with Waterberry CT. Our very own Shawn aka Long Island Auditor has called out the mayor on his lies. What lies? I encourage people if they have an issue to share it. I also encourage people if they have a positive interaction with police officers to share that as well. Waterberry Police Chief Fernando Spanolo. This >> live stream for those of you that were uh there in the uh my previous live stream, the video got taken down. I'm not really sure what happened to it. Um I I I really have no idea. So, I decided to go live again. We're gonna um I'm gonna explain everything again because I'm not going to be silenced and I'm not going to be censored. So, basically, two days ago, right now I am in Waterberry, Connecticut. Two days ago, I was filming in the Waterberry Post Office. My last live stream got taken down. I'm not sure why. >> I'm really not sure what why. So, uh, basically two days ago, I was unlawfully arrested by the Waterberry Police Department. [Music] I was peacefully peacefully filming in the Waterberry post office when the uh, clerks got real belligerent, real rude, told me to turn off my camera, that I wasn't allowed to film in the post office. You know, I deal with that on a regular basis. you know, the uh postal employees, they don't seem to uh understand the law, but um you know, that's what I deal with. Waterberry Police Department came out, started giving me a bunch of unlawful orders. You know, you know, they weren't being too uh too disrespectful, but uh bunch of unlawful orders. They came out, told me that I need to leave. I told him I was engaging in a First Amendment protected activity. They didn't want to hear it, you know. So, uh, told me put my hands behind my back. I, um, immediately complied, put my hands behind my back, told the officer I was not resisting. He said, "Yes, I know you're not resisting, and you've been very respectful to me. That's why I'm not charging with uh, disturbing the peace or disorderly conduct." So, uh, basically I was arrested, taken into custody, and the reason why you're watching this and instead of watching, you know, the actual video is because they stole my camera and they stole my cell phone. They took it in as evidence, if you can believe that. >> Knowing the chief and the mayor, of course, they'd be hiding their dirt tracks. Take a look at this video. >> Mr. Mayor. >> Hi. Nice to meet you, sir. I'm sorry to bother you like this. Uh, I was unlawfully arrested yesterday and my my my phone and my GoPro was was seized from me for a trespass, sir. This is this is a serious matter, sir. You >> going to talk to the police chief about it? >> He won't he won't release my phone to me. I'm from New York. >> I'm from New York. >> I'm the mayor, not the police chief. You got >> But you can you can you can advise the police chief to It's an unlawful arrest, sir. >> Mayor does not advise the police chief to bear. >> Does he work at your behest? >> Have a nice day. >> Does he work at your behest? >> Have a nice day, my friend. >> I'm coming inside, sir. What? What is What does pointing your finger mean? What does that mean? >> They will just make this disappear. They'll break my phone. Break my break my GoPro. Oh, we lost it in evidence. All this other, you know what I mean? No. Release the video. Why? Why'd you take my phone? I'm a businessman. I need my phone. You're trying to hurt my my livelihood. You took my phone. All my information is on that phone. Yeah. You know, if if I could understand I could understand a police officer who's ignorant and doesn't know the law. We all know police officers don't get a lot of good training, right? It's unfortunate, but I could understand a police officer arresting me, you know, because he's ignorant and he lets his ego get involved. I explained to the police officer, I showed him poster 7. I explained to him I had a constitutional right. I explained to him, "Do not violate my rights, sir." He did it anyway. And I guess, you know, there's cops out there that, you know, they don't they don't really care about the rule of law. They don't really care about the Constitution. And that's really sad. I'm not antagonizing. I'm not antagonizing anybody. Come on. All I'm trying to do is peacefully exercise my rights. This is the United States of America. We need to understand that. Just obey, right? Yeah. Mhm. That's never going to happen. I don't obey anybody but God. What are you going to You're going to make me disappear. Like, what? You're going to So, you're going to break my phone, right? Cuz you can't erase it. It's locked. You're going to break my phone. You're going to delete my GoPro footage. What about What about the post office footage? H What about that footage? You going to make that disappear, too? Come on. They can't hide from this. Go watch the short. You're going to see the mayor laugh in my face. Laugh in my face. Sir, I was just there was an injustice that happened in your city and you're going to laugh in my face. Come on. That's how you That's how the mayor treats treats the people. He knew he was being recorded, too. He don't care. These guys don't care. They don't care. None of them care. They don't care. Yeah, record me all you want. I'm going to act like an and then you know what? They don't have consequences, right? But you know what? They're going to have consequences for this one. There's going to be no plea deals, none of that unlawful arrest. Period. There you go. Posting the Waterberry Police Department number. No warrant to steal. No warrant. No warrant to take my to take my possessions. They violated my Fourth Amendment right. >> While many got their rights walked all over by these corrupt Waterberry cops, Shawn did end up winning the case in 2022. >> This happened last May of 2021. You know, I was about one or two months into auditing and uh you know, I went to the Waterberry Post Office in Waterberry, Connecticut, exercising my First Amendment right peacefully like I normally do, I was arrested for criminal trespass. >> And there you have it. Waterberry PD, a reputation of controversy and corruption. And while there are many crooked cops up there, I'd like to believe there are still some honest cops who are just doing their job. However, a lot of work needs to be done. and hopefully this video can raise some awareness of it. Do you think this reputation is undeserved? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. And be sure to leave a like, subscribe, and share this video if you haven't already.