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Man Snaps Pic Of Atlanta Cop Surfing Facebook
wsbtv ^ | 1/28 | wsb tv

Posted on 01/29/2010 4:31:58 PM PST by from occupied ga

ANTA -- An Atlanta man claims he was arrested for catching an on-duty officer chatting on Facebook.

Chandler Brown told Channel 2 Action News reporter Erin Coleman that he has since filed a formal complaint with the Atlanta Police Department and the mayor's office.

Coleman obtained a copy of that complaint, which makes startling accusations about the officer allegedly chatting on Facebook when he was on the job.

“It was Thanksgiving night … my friend called me and said, ‘I’ve been in an accident,’” said Brown. Brown said he immediately hailed a cab and went to the scene on Interstate 85 near Cheshire Bridge Road. Brown said his friend wanted to leave, and as they pulled off, they were stopped by police because she couldn’t leave the scene of an accident. So they were put in the back of an Atlanta police car, and that’s when Brown said he noticed something.

“The police officer was chatting on Facebook,” said Brown. “I think that’s wrong.”

So Brown took out his cell phone and took a picture. That’s when he claims the officer arrested him. “Pulled me out of the car, grabbed my phone, and I said I don’t think I’m breaking the law here … I’m not under arrest,” said Brown.

Brown said the officer then said “Well, you’re under arrest now.”

Brown said the officer handcuffed him, took the phone and hauled him off to jail.

Brown claims he was never read his rights and the officer wouldn’t give him his name. As for that picture, Brown said when officers returned his phone, the picture was gone. Brown was charged with giving false information to an officer, even though he wasn't involved in the accident. Brown went to court last week.

“The judge said, ‘There’s no evidence here, this is a joke and threw it out,” said Brown. That’s why now, Brown has filed a formal complaint and hopes to shed light on what he calls a misuse of time and taxpayer money.

“I can’t sit on Facebook at work all day and neither can you. Why should someone whose salary is being paid by the taxpayers,” he said.

No one from the Atlanta Police Department would talk to Channel 2 on camera. They did tell us they've forwarded the complaint on to the division of professional standards and are looking into it.

Late Thursday, we learned that Brown, a former Channel 2 employee, got a call from police saying they are taking his complaint seriously.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Government; US: Georgia
KEYWORDS: coverup; donutwatch; falsearrest; policeabuse
Once again the heroes of Atlanta show their true colors. I'm just waiting for the jack boot lickers on this forum to come and get boot polish on their tongues defending this one

And as far as taking it seriously, this means that they're getting their stories straight

1 posted on 01/29/2010 4:31:58 PM PST by from occupied ga
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To: from occupied ga
Code Orange Freeper Ping!
2 posted on 01/29/2010 4:35:24 PM PST by IrishCatholic (No local Communist or Socialist Party Chapter? Join the Democrats, it's the same thing!)
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To: from occupied ga
“The judge said, ‘There’s no evidence here, this is a joke and threw it out,” said Brown.

Patiently awaiting the Judge to issue arrest warrants for this officer, for illegal arrest, violation of civil rights and possibly false statements surround the arrest...

Waiting....

Waiting....

Waiting....

3 posted on 01/29/2010 4:38:15 PM PST by The Magical Mischief Tour
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To: from occupied ga

I really don’t see a problem with it, Facebook is like calling your wife from work - just a different form of communication. I’d rather an officer spend free minutes here and there on the web communicating and perhaps learning something than just staring out the window.


4 posted on 01/29/2010 4:42:29 PM PST by Teflonic
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To: Teflonic

His actions are another story though...


5 posted on 01/29/2010 4:43:38 PM PST by Teflonic
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To: from occupied ga

Brown said when officers returned his phone, the picture was gone.
******************************************
Recovering the photo is quite easy to do .. the pointer to the data is just deleted ,, same as on a pc when you delete a file. Any cell phone shop with repair software can do it.


6 posted on 01/29/2010 4:55:01 PM PST by Neidermeyer
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To: Teflonic
I really don’t see a problem with it, Facebook is like calling your wife from work - just a different form of communication. I’d rather an officer spend free minutes here and there on the web communicating and perhaps learning something than just staring out the window.

Maybe for you and me, but if the officer thought there wasn't anything wrong, why did he arrest the guy? Obviously he wanted to cover up his actions and committed a felony to do so (false arrest is a felony). I'm not holding my breath for the cop to get charged with anything however.

7 posted on 01/29/2010 4:56:19 PM PST by from occupied ga (Your most dangerous enemy is your own government,)
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To: The Magical Mischief Tour
Waiting....

You'll keep waiting a LONG time.

8 posted on 01/29/2010 4:57:53 PM PST by from occupied ga (Your most dangerous enemy is your own government,)
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To: Neidermeyer
Recovering the photo is quite easy to do .. the pointer to the data is just deleted ,, same as on a pc when you delete a file.

Here's hoping that the police didn't know that and take more robust measures.

9 posted on 01/29/2010 4:59:06 PM PST by from occupied ga (Your most dangerous enemy is your own government,)
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To: Teflonic

If the police officer thought what he was doing on Facebook was OK, he wouldn’t have reacted the way he did. His reaction shows guilt, IMO. And then they tampered with personal property of a citizen who did nothing!


10 posted on 01/29/2010 5:03:36 PM PST by presently no screen name
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To: from occupied ga

btt


11 posted on 01/29/2010 5:14:36 PM PST by Cacique (quos Deus vult perdere, prius dementat ( Islamia Delenda Est ))
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To: Teflonic

Well staring out the window the cop might see something useful to his purpose.

Staring that the computer certainly wont.


12 posted on 01/29/2010 5:18:53 PM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: from occupied ga

The rule here is: immediately mail such photos to yourself. Most phones can do this.


13 posted on 01/29/2010 5:55:50 PM PST by Little Pig (Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici.)
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To: Teflonic
Facebook is like calling your wife from work - just a different form of communication.

Therein lies the problem. There is no need to call your wife when you are at work. Dinner will be on the table when you get home from work, and you can talk to her then. Now get back to work.

14 posted on 01/29/2010 6:02:00 PM PST by Rodamala
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To: from occupied ga

Why is he dicking around on facebook when he’s supposed to be investigating a collision?


15 posted on 01/29/2010 6:16:18 PM PST by Scotsman will be Free (11C - Indirect fire, infantry - High angle hell - We will bring you, FIRE)
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To: Scotsman will be Free
Why is he dicking around on facebook when he’s supposed to be investigating a collision?

I guess that's what everyone wondered.

16 posted on 01/30/2010 6:25:22 AM PST by from occupied ga (Your most dangerous enemy is your own government,)
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To: from occupied ga

The picture can be retrieved from the phone even if it was deleted.


17 posted on 01/30/2010 6:35:42 AM PST by Sir Gawain
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To: Sir Gawain

I hope the guy gets the picture restored. I heard on the news that the guy was formerly employed at the TV station that ran this story, so maybe he knows about that. I personally would like to see the cop jailed for false arrest, but the odds against that happening are pretty astronomical.


18 posted on 01/30/2010 6:54:00 AM PST by from occupied ga (Your most dangerous enemy is your own government,)
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