Lancaster City Police learned a valuable lesson a few weeks ago when a person videotaped an officer and it ended up on YouTube. And today the department admitted as much on social media to the city.
A few weeks ago a Lancaster City police officer walked away from a man who was trying to report a car accident because he was taping him.
The video landed on YouTube as ” Cop refuses to be filmed”. Legally, you can record in a public place, including police.
“ It was directed to all of the law abiding citizens out there that think that could be a potential problem or if we were violating people’s rights,” says Chief Keith Sadler, Lancaster City Police
The Chief he was also quick to point out distinctions when it comes to using a smart phone.
“ For instance if a police officer’s making an arrest you can’t decide to put yourself between him and the person he’s trying to arrest for the sake of becoming a 15 minute YouTube star. That’s not going to work that’ll still get you arrested,” says Sadler
Because technology aside, the chief says safety is still their first job.
“ I don’t know what the intentions of those people were looking for their YouTube moment and not doing anything for anybody, “ says Sadler