By Carlos Miller
Claiming to be on Homeland Security Detail, Miami-Dade police officer James Hanna found it suspicious that a St. Thomas University professor was taking photos in the university parking lot.
Hanna approached adjunct English professor Lamont Missick who was photographing a dent on his car and asked for his university ID.
Missick, who had just been hired, said he did not have university ID, but provided his driver license instead.
When Missick asked to see Hanna’s badge and name tag which were covered by a patrol jacket, “Hanna objected and threatened to take his camera,” according to the Independent Review Panel complaint, which discussed the matter during last week’s meeting.
During the confrontation that took place on Jan. 30, 2007, Hanna suggested that Missick could be a member of Al-Qaeda, according to the report.
He also demanded to know where Missick was born. Missick, a Miami native, was offended by these questions and comments.
“It was a very tense situation,” Missick said after last week’s meeting. “He was somewhat imposing and very aggressive.”
And to top things off, Hanna has never been on Homeland Security Detail, confirmed Miami-Dade Sergeant Jose Lugo, who attended last week’s meeting.
But Hanna went as far as confirming this allegation during the Internal Affairs investigation, in which he stated that he was “observing the gentleman taking pictures of a building, either dormitory or people, of students, and I thought about questioning him why he was taking the pictures since we are in Homeland Security.”
However, he denied the Al-Qaeda remark.
After the confrontation, Missick drove to a nearby precinct and showed officers Hanna’s picture until finally somebody recognized him. He then filed an Internal Affairs report alleging that Hanna refused to identify himself and that Hanna made offensive remarks to Missick, specifically the Al-Qaeda comment.
Not surprisingly, Internal Affairs decided both allegations were “not sustained”.
However, the Miami-Dade Independent Review Panel investigated the incident and “sustained” the first allegation; that Hanna refused to identify himself and had his badge covered by his jacket, which is evident in the above photo that Missick took.
But the review panel found “insufficient evidence to support or refute” the allegation that Hanna made offensive remarks to Missick.
To file a complaint with Miami Dade contact Major Donald Rifkiin
9690 Northwest 41st Street
Doral, FL 33178-1500 USA
Phone: 305-599-3550
Fax: 305-470-1629
Email: pcbinfo@mdpd.com
Major : Donald Rifkin
Site: http://www.miamidade.gov/mdpd/BureausDivisions/bureau_Profession…
Popularity: 11% [?]
41 responses so far ↓
1 jorge // Jun 30, 2008 at 7:41 AM
Lets talk about this instead. I mean what is the world’s infatuation with this guy?
http://www.miamiherald.com/457/story/587889.html
2 B // Jun 30, 2008 at 10:10 AM
well, Carlos, don’t you know that 9/11 changed EVERYTHING? … everything except for cops penchant for abusing authority, apparently.
keep up the good work!
3 Mike // Jun 30, 2008 at 10:16 AM
I really hate the fascist police state this country has turned into.
4 mad hatter // Jun 30, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Carlos,
I’ll give it to you on this one, at least the cop appears to be acting in a menacing manner toward the photog.
What’s up with the Escobar theme park? That’s outrageous! I can’t believe that people actually buy into that whole benevolent thug persona that he’s been cast into. Furthermore, I can’t believe that anyone would injest cocaine after watching this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sVGOw0g0BA
The irony is that some of the same people that use cocaine are also into that whole “health kick” BS and they watch their carbs. Talk about a load of crap.
5 jorge // Jun 30, 2008 at 10:55 AM
I know, and they finally killed him in 1994! But what is this fascination that people have with Pablo Escobar? I mean the guy killed more than a hundred people and he looked upon as a hero?
These Fascist police must look into this!
6 Jim Goldstein // Jun 30, 2008 at 1:56 PM
How very “Monsters on Maple St.”
When police start accusing citizens of being part of terrorist activity for mundane actions such as taking photos then we’ve hit a new low in our society. I look forward to the day that sanity is restored. Personally I find Momoko Sudo’s story more alarming.
7 jorge // Jun 30, 2008 at 2:24 PM
I heard that they are not allowing photographers to take pictures inside of the theme park! The nerve. Those cops down there in Medellin are terrorist themselves for doing that!
8 Carlos Miller // Jun 30, 2008 at 2:51 PM
jorge,
What’s the world’s fascination with Fidel Castro? Powerful men have the ability to blind people.
mad hatter,
The irony is that I could probably walk down the street snorting coke and get less hassle from the police than if I walked down the street taking photos.
9 El Pife // Jun 30, 2008 at 4:02 PM
I think that cop is snorting coke… Who the hell wears a jacket outside in a Miami summer?
10 Rafael // Jun 30, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Keep up the good work Carlos. I wonder how many post 911 instances of police abuse towards photographers have gone unreported in the US. It seems like you have Miami covered but is anyone reporting on these stories in other parts of the country? Being able to show a pattern of abuse towards photographers would go along way in ensuring photographer’s rights on the street and in the courtroom.
11 Jeremy Brooks // Jun 30, 2008 at 4:16 PM
Again, thanks for posting. Dugg it here: http://digg.com/people/Miami_cop_accuses_photographer_of_being_Al_Qaeda
12 mad hatter // Jun 30, 2008 at 4:33 PM
Carlos, it’s a shame that you would say that. I’d be glad to hassle you plenty for walking down the street snorting coke.
Have you seen that video? Have you seen the toxic chemicals that go into cocaine? And then you have people blustering against smoking cigars. Please!
Hey, maybe we can have a theme park in honor of Jose Canseco! They can place a replica of the Porche that he used to drive at 140 MPH through Miami’s streets when he got arrested for speeding over the entrance archway.
13 discarted // Jun 30, 2008 at 4:38 PM
it’s great how action wasn’t taken against this out-of-control officer because it couldn’t proven what the professor was claiming was true or not. however, when a cop fills out a report of an incident everything that is written in that report is taken as fact and the subject is automatically guilty before innocent.
14 discarted // Jun 30, 2008 at 4:52 PM
carlos,
please post this info somewhere that people can easily see it. thanks.
To file a complaint with Miami Dade contact Major Donald Rifkiin
9690 Northwest 41st Street
Doral, FL 33178-1500 USA
Map (via Mapquest.com)
Phone: 305-599-3550
Fax: 305-470-1629
Email: pcbinfo@mdpd.com
Major : Donald Rifkin
Site: http://www.miamidade.gov/mdpd/BureausDivisions/bureau_Profession...
15 Carlos Miller // Jun 30, 2008 at 4:53 PM
Rafael,
There are a few other sites that I know of that document these abuses.
Discarted is based out of LA
Thomas Hawk is based out of SF
War on Photography is based out of NY
And LightboxDC is based out of DC
16 Carlos Miller // Jun 30, 2008 at 4:59 PM
El Pife,
This occurred Jan. 30th of last year, so maybe it was cold.
Jeremy,
Thanks.
mad hatter,
Yes, I saw the video. I don’t touch coke. I used to live in Colombia so I know the damage it has done to that country.
discarted,
Thanks, it’s been posted.
17 Carlos Miller // Jun 30, 2008 at 5:50 PM
B,
If I had a dollar every time someone told me that “9/11 changed everything”, I would have some serious telephoto lenses.
18 enhager // Jun 30, 2008 at 6:14 PM
you should always include the link to rate a cop in these stories
And here’s another photo for the show you should curate
19 US of A http://carlosmiller.com/2008/ … | Rantman // Jun 30, 2008 at 6:18 PM
[...] http://carlosmiller.com/2008/06/30/miami-dade-cop-accuses-college-prof-with-camera-of-being-al-qaeda... [...]
20 Jose // Jun 30, 2008 at 6:29 PM
What is this blog about? Colombian cocaine or photography rights? Im kind of digging the whole Escobar thing. I think people from Colombia have more insight into this topic, we should arrange for a photo shoot in Medellin, Colombia.
21 Eric M. Norcross // Jun 30, 2008 at 7:03 PM
Hey,
Thanks for posting this article. Me and my staff have had a lot of problems with sadistic officers taking advantage of their powers and taking it out on us photographers. From LA to NYC, we’ve been harassed and no one seems to care. Even NYC Mayor Bloomberg wants to make it impossible for artists to function in New York.
This needs to be nipped in the butt!
22 Rick Laster // Jun 30, 2008 at 7:08 PM
Jorge,
Excellent posting about Pablo Escobar, I heard that they were not intending to make money from his legacy, but it sure looks like it to me.
23 Paulo Jordao // Jun 30, 2008 at 8:55 PM
I am a Photographer in Fort Lauderdale Miami area http://www.paulopics.com , and sometimes, whenever I am outside taking pictures I feel that some people are afraid of me walking with my camera. Hey… It is a camera, not a gun!!!
24 Alex Cabrera // Jul 1, 2008 at 8:10 AM
Very interesting, but what does Pablo Escobar have to do with this blog douchebag?
I do agree though that the guy has been dead for so many years and people are still facinated with him. I will call my cousin so she could do a special in the herald about him. Goodie Gumdrops!
25 Bud Man // Jul 1, 2008 at 12:46 PM
i THINK ITS PEE-WEE HERMAN
26 Magic City Mama // Jul 1, 2008 at 9:53 PM
Racial Slurs=Hate Crime (if you’re not a cop)
& you can walk around Miami snorting coke or selling it…especially if you’re a cop it seems…
Excerpt from drugpolicy.org:
“In February 2001, three South Florida police officers were indicted for drug trafficking, including using their patrol cars to transport drugs for drug dealers. Their actions came to light when one of the officers attempted to shake down an undercover officer posing as a drug dealer. Acting on a tip from an informant
the officer pulled over the undercover officer’s car, seized the $200,000 he was carrying, and split the money with his informant.
In September 2001, nearly a dozen current and former Miami SWAT, narcotics, or special crime suppression officers were charged with stealing evidence, planting guns at crime scenes and covering up their actions in a string of police shootings that killed three people, including the shooting death of an unarmed 73-year-old man in 1996. In that case, officers raided his apartment to serve a drug warrant and
sprayed his bedroom with 123 bullets and then lied and said he had a gun. No drugs were found. The corruption and abuse were reminiscent of the “Miami River Cops” scandal in the 1980s in which more than 100 Miami police officers were arrested, suspended, or punished in a series of drug-related cases.
In October 2001, two current and former Hialeah police officers were charged with protecting and assisting drug dealers, setting up three robberies (including the robbery of a 7-11 store), serving as lookouts, and providing police badges, handcuffs, and pepper spray to robbers.”
also, just last month:
http://www.local10.com/news/16436504/detail.html
and this oldie but goodie:
http://www.nbc6.net/news/8027457/detail.html
27 jorge // Jul 2, 2008 at 1:52 PM
Magic City,
What is your agenda? You posted a few instances were cops have gone awry. In your profession (????write/loafer????) I’m sure there are many dirty people….but we dont label them as “all” criminals. So what are you getting at by posting all of the stories of dirty cops?
I can find you a job if you need one, they are looking for cooks at versaillesrestaurant in Little Havana.
28 discarted // Jul 2, 2008 at 1:54 PM
jorge
why don’t you post with a way to contact you?
29 jorge // Jul 2, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Why don’t you?
You can contact me on this site.
30 jorge // Jul 2, 2008 at 3:07 PM
Discarted,
Why is it that no one reads your blog?
31 jorge // Jul 2, 2008 at 3:08 PM
Discartes,
You can contact me at rosalostimbales@yahoo.com
32 Magic City Mama // Jul 2, 2008 at 9:57 PM
Jorge:
Thanks for stalking me on the other posts so I could repost my answer to you here as well.
‘Wow, me buscas. I’m flattered but still saddened by your lack of knowledge. Those damned semantics keep getting the best of you.
By definition alone, a dirty writer/loafer is not a criminal; a dirty cop however, is.’
I’m curious Jorge- which one of those cops in the header is you?
33 Sparks Fly // Jul 13, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Are you folks even aware the same issues are happening in our Jr. country, Great Britain? They have actually created a citizen police force and these people have been reported for harassing people for taking pictures, putting their hands in their pockets and simply looking suspicious. Seriously, I go to the UK, I expect to take some pictures as a ferking tourist. If I go to Miami, I expect to take some pictures as a ferking tourist.
The Un-Patriot Act is what has given police the authority to do whatever the ferk they want. Until such time as it is completely and totally repealed and the Repuglicans are no longer in any shape, form or fashion in charge a damn thing, expect to live in a fascist state, people. Come to think of it, even the damn Democrats have been rolling like that lately, so wtf, it doesn’t matter. It’s time for a revolution!
By the way, the Jorge dude is the guy in the movie who goes along with the bad guys just to save his own ass while everyone else stands up for their rights or stands their ground, but then gets killed anyway and in a very unflattering way that makes the crowd roar with approval. Every movie has a guy like that and the reason is because there ARE guys like that.
34 Sparks Fly // Jul 13, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Been Stumbling since I came by here a while ago. Came across an article on Vincent Bugliosi’s book, “The Prosecution of George W. Bush For Murder” & how it was literally blacked out by the mainstream media. Here you have a well-known, prolific author & lawyer, respected, blah, blah & no one in the mainstream media would talk to him about this book. But it climbed the charts through word-of-mouth & hit the best sellers’ list. After reading the article, I scrolled through some of the comments & found this one: ”
elimination of free speech in USA
By incredible will of the US people, led by social activists of all professions such as Vincent Bugliosi, could very well avert the descent into fascism. At the moment however, the media blackout is combined with incidents of intimidation, harassment and oppression of the principle of free speech on a regular basis. In the last six months I have twice had police seize from me, the first my video camera,( later charges of wiretapping dropped), and recently a banner with a peace through music symbol at a 4th of july event.
Posted by power2change at 9:36 AM Sunday, July 13 2008
_________________________________
People like Jorge will never get it until they or someone close to them are victims of the loss of our civil liberties & our freedoms. People…no, wait, Sleeple like Jorge take our freedom for granted because they don’t consider themselves criminals, therefore, they consider themselves safe. These sleeple are a large part of the reason our country has slipped from free to fascist. We are not the freest country in the world & in fact, are around, if I recollect correctly, 16th. These sleeple are scared. They are inanely scared a terrorist is going to target them or their subdivision. A true Patriot, such as myself, would rather die FREE, as a victim of a terrorist act, than as a coward who allowed terrorist actions & corporate fascists to steal my liberties. Just like the man said, give me liberty or give me death. Jorge, you are a PUSSY & sleeple like you need to wake up & become brave. I don’t expect you to cuz, like I said earlier, you’re THAT guy in the movie plot.
35 briana // Jul 17, 2008 at 9:24 AM
this is a very nice web page you guys have thank you for serving our county and protecting us.
36 Rectal Contaminant // Aug 9, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Here’s the first thing to understand: There are fucking idiots everywhere. Again, FUCKING IDIOTS EVRYWHERE!! Just because some guy approaches you in a uniform, does not mean that the fucker is going to be the next Albert Einstein. It’s not a plot of putting down the people, moron. Its’s just retards acting retardedly. Sure you can argue that they should have been screened, but then again you are probably the type that would have screamed about some socially indiscriminants not get a job just because they have a slightly minor retardation.
Fuck off and quit queefing in my oatmeal.
You are a pioneer in ignorance. Congratulations.
37 Rectal Contaminant // Aug 9, 2008 at 10:18 PM
PS I have had a few cocktails, which have had an impact on my spelling and grammar, not so much on my reason and rationale.
What i meant to make clear in the previous post was that there are clearly some dumb fuckin’ cops. There are some dumb fuckin’ lawyers. But as long as the smart lawyers are looking out for our unified interest, we should be okay.
You will always encounter shockingly dumb, red neck, white trash, imbred, power crazed, (highschool at best) lackluster educated, short-dicked, absorbantly hairied, pock-faced, kitten lover.
No sir. I will not answer any questions, now or in the future.
38 Carlos Miller // Aug 9, 2008 at 11:36 PM
But as long as the smart lawyers are looking out for our unified interest, we should be okay.
What if you can’t afford the smart lawyers?
Fuck off and quit queefing in my oatmeal.
This is actually my oatmeal and you’re the one queefing in it.
39 WOW // Sep 8, 2008 at 12:21 AM
You can tell that none of you guys like cops. You moron have nothing better to do that to b!tch about something stupid. I hope the day that your home is getting broken into you don’t call the cops and I’ll see how good you’re going to handle that situation. Oncw you hold the burglar donw on the ground then have someone call the police for you. Lets see now you super heroes.
40 Scott // Sep 8, 2008 at 7:38 AM
Hey I like cops. Most people like cops. But how would you feel if a cop accuses you of being a terrorist just because you have a camera?
Oh, one more thing. Your grammar is really bad.
41 bob // Oct 2, 2008 at 4:01 AM
in response to “WOW”‘s comment ,
——————
“You moron have nothing better to do that to b!tch about something stupid.”
——————
If these stories are stupid, then do you realize that you are bitching about our posting of the same stupid stories.? Your bitching is clearly more stupid then ours, it serves no purpose other then to bitch you stupid bitch.
——————
“I hope the day that your home is getting broken into you don’t call the cops and I’ll see how good you’re going to handle that situation.”
——————
Yeah cause we all know that 99% of home burglaries start with a professor at the university level taking pictures of your house from a satellite camera he can magically operate from the parking lot of his own university. Please protect us from the burgular-fessor !!!!
—————–
“Oncw you hold the burglar donw on the ground then have someone call the police for you. Lets see now you super heroes.”
—————–
You ARE a super hero “Wow” your typing alone employs a team of experts at keyboard companies, and the software distis that sell Mavis beacon teaches typing.
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