By Carlos Miller
In what has become a typical blatant show of arrogance, a Newark police officer told a CBS news videographer to stop filming an anti-violence demonstration last year.
When veteran journalist Jim Quodomine continued filming, Newark police officer Brian Shariff placed him in a chokehold.
When Quodomine told him he was not allowed to do that, Shariff responded by saying, “I can do whatever I want.”
He ended up taking Quodomine to jail on a disorderly conduct charge. Surprise, surprise.
The City of Newark told Quodomine it would dismiss the charge if he promised not to file a lawsuit.
Quodomine refused. The city eventually dropped the charge anyway.
Quodomine filed his suit Oct. 22, according to The Star-Ledger.
Can anyone say cha-ching?
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11 responses so far ↓
1 BSmith // Nov 4, 2009 at 4:38 AM
“The City of Newark told Quodomine it would dismiss the charge if he promised to file a lawsuit.”
Should that perhaps read “if he promised not to file a lawsuit.”?
2 Charles U. Farley // Nov 4, 2009 at 5:39 AM
A pat on the back to Mr. Quodomine for not caving to the offer of dropping the bogus criminal charges in exchange for not suing the city. Most people, especially those with limited resources might have accepted the offer. Instead, the reporter stood up for our rights and continued the fight! Good work!
3 EdinMiami // Nov 4, 2009 at 9:37 AM
Cha-ching indeed
4 Simon Jester // Nov 4, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Arrested and choked at a demonstration against violence.
The irony is lovely.
5 Carlos Miller // Nov 4, 2009 at 11:39 AM
BSmith,
Yes, I’ve corrected it. Late night posting sometimes leads to stupid mistakes. Thanks for pointing it out.
6 Ken // Nov 4, 2009 at 12:29 PM
How moronic to pick a fight with a news videographer.
7 mepsipax // Nov 4, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Wow, it’s almost like they are handing out stupid with badges. Power and ignorance is a dangerous combination.
8 Jon Quimbly // Nov 5, 2009 at 1:54 AM
One article says he was working in uniform, but as a security guard for a church! A church that was running a demonstration.
Since he wasn’t actually on the job, maybe the cop will get “disciplined,” though probably not. Anybody else, it would be assault and battery charges.
By my reckoning, they only fire cops for breaking the more serious laws – seems because finding replacements has gotten really difficult.
9 genewitch // Nov 5, 2009 at 9:23 AM
i say this with the utmost respect for marines (because they scare me) …
Aren’t there plenty of marines getting out of contract and itching for jobs in the private sector?
Also, i thought that the PDs were on a lay off frenzy because of “budget cuts”? Maybe if they just fired the officers that don’t know what their jobs actually are, they could save a ton of money on insurance and lawsuits?
10 Keith // Nov 9, 2009 at 11:11 PM
The mayor of Newark needs to spend more time housebreaking his employees and less time jerking around with Conan O’Brien.
That cops talents would be better suited to cleaning restrooms at the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
11 ThisOne // Nov 10, 2009 at 3:47 PM
Foolish abuses of power such as this put all police in much greater danger as they aim for an ‘us against them’ atmosphere for all citizens. This cop needs to be an ex-cop serving actual time in jail to balance the scale.
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