Update: Undercover cop cheering for Chargers was who got Jets fan arrested
By Carlos Miller
In a disgusting show of force and intimidation, San Diego police officers arrested a New York Jets fan during Sunday’s playoff game at San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium.
His crime: cheering against the home team.
Even San Diego fans booed the arrest, including one vocal Chargers fan who was standing in front of the Jets fan and continually told the officers that the man did not do anything wrong.
One of the officers responded by saying that the Jets fan was resisting arrest, but that still does not justify why cops manhandled him in the first place.
“I would resist too. You don’t have the right to just arrest somebody for nothing,” the Chargers fan told the officers.
“You don’t have that right. Just because you have a badge, you don’t have that right.”
The Chargers fan ended up getting escorted out of the stadium himself.
Before the arrest, the Jets fan can be seen cheering his team, even though and his female partner were the only Jet fans in that section.
The incident was clearly caught on video, so there is no excuse why those officers, including at least two sergeants, should not be reprimanded.
The video is also a perfect example of why we should not be intimidated to film or stand-up to the police when they are clearly in the wrong.
The Chargers fan could have taken the easy route and kept his mouth shut, but this was an incident that went beyond football rivalries.
The Jets ended up beating the Chargers 17-14 to advance in the playoffs.
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75 responses so far ↓
1 Tom Joad // Jan 18, 2010 at 3:06 PM
Hopefully he will sue for a violation of his civil rights and sue the city as well as the individual officers. Unbelievable…
2 Scott // Jan 18, 2010 at 3:22 PM
A true citizen is one that stands behind the cop and tells him he’s doing something wrong.
Good job for that guy.
3 Gus Moore // Jan 18, 2010 at 4:48 PM
The video starts after the fan is resisting arrest.
For the fans own safety, is it wrong for the police to ask him to stop taunting the opposing team, and if he refuses to escort him off the premises?
The police had to manhandle him because he would not leave the stadium voluntarily, and even still, I felt they handcuffed him with care.
4 JR // Jan 18, 2010 at 5:49 PM
They should’ve just mopped the cops and thrown them out of the stadium. They have no place there if the only thing they do is cause unrest by arresting random people.
5 Wes // Jan 18, 2010 at 6:05 PM
Unbelievable… that’s all I can really say.
6 Hazy // Jan 18, 2010 at 6:14 PM
Gus, do you always play devil’s advocate?
Unfortunately the video has a gap from the fan yelling, “Jets Jets Jets!” to when he gets arrested. I’d like to see how it all unfolded. We don’t see what caused him to get arrested, but apparently the other spectators say he didn’t do anything.
“For the fans own safety, is it wrong for the police to ask him to stop taunting the opposing team, and if he refuses to escort him off the premises?”
Why would there be a question of safety? It looks to be a pretty civil group of fans watching the game.
7 Carlos Miller // Jan 18, 2010 at 6:18 PM
If the fan was in danger of supporting his own team, then police went after the wrong guy.
But he didn’t seem too obnoxious compared to other Jet fans I’ve seen in Dolphin Stadium.
And the Charger fans didn’t seem to hostile compared to fans I’ve seen at Hurricane games.
Furthermore, if he truly did commit an arrestable offense off-camera, then I don’t see why that one guy would be so adamant about him not doing anything wrong.
I also would imagine the cop would have been able to come up with a better reason to arrest him than just the fact that he was resisting.
8 A Different Scott // Jan 18, 2010 at 6:34 PM
Gus, it is NOT wrong for the police to ask him to stop. It IS wrong for the police to escort him off the premises if he refuses. As Americans we have the right to do obnoxious things. As humans we have the unavoidable obligation to live with the consequences. It did seem that they treated him as gently as possible, but the fact remains that he has (or should have) the right to be really, really obnoxious as long as he doesn’t incite a riot or use speech calculated to cause panic. That means I have that right, too.
Someone should give that Chargers fan a medal.
My 2 cents.
9 Gus Moore // Jan 18, 2010 at 6:36 PM
“Gus, do you always play devil’s advocate?”
Hi, Hazy. No, I just try to remain open to both sides of the story.
I would expect the police to do the same thing, had this been a white supremacist mouthing off at a synagogue on a high holiday.
By the way, you remind me of a girl I used to know. Your real name wouldn’t also have a “z” near the end, would it?
10 MacK // Jan 18, 2010 at 6:54 PM
Carlos you should let every know about this.
I got the link from Radley Balco’s site The Agitator.
http://www.gizmag.com/md80-micro-video-camera-helmet-cam-cheap/13877/
11 Carlos Miller // Jan 18, 2010 at 6:55 PM
And if arresting that first guy wasn’t enough, why did they have to escort the second guy out of the stadium when all he was doing was complaining about the rest, which by way, is protected speech as long as you don’t threaten the officers.
It just goes to show you that some officers expect us to just let them do whatever they want without questioning them, including asking for their name.
12 Pinandpuller // Jan 18, 2010 at 8:07 PM
You don’t think much of Jews and Chargers fans, do ya Gus?
If you said a Jew mouthing off outside a mosque you might have a point.
In fact, these police were closer to inciting a riot than the Jets fan. Have you ever seen footage from the UK?
Somewhere, someday-a bunch of cops are going to go crowd surfing.
13 Theywantyoufired // Jan 18, 2010 at 8:55 PM
Cops arrest people for all sorts of harmless things. Taking pictures, taking notes, even looking at the wrong thing can get you busted. Now we even have politically correct football etiquette. Now this poor man will get pulled into the HR office at work and sacked for the incident. Cops not only throw people in jail, kill them, and send them to the hospital, they also get them fired. If you get arrested don’t tell them where you work. No job, no attorney, plea bargain.
14 Cops_are_power_hungry // Jan 18, 2010 at 9:35 PM
There are probably some provisions (probably printed on the back of the tickets) that allow security to eject anyone for any disruption. In other words, if security doesn’t like someone then they can be tossed for what would normally be perfectly acceptable behavior.
If a fan has had a beer, then any normal fan behavior can instantly become public intoxication.
I’m in no way defending the cops, but the video doesn’t show the fan the entire time, and the fan defending the guy was sitting in front of him, and therefore couldn’t see him the entire time (assuming he was actually paying attention to the game).
However, if the guy was booted by police for the type of behavior the video shows, then the cops involved are the typical meat heads who abuse their power. Of course what cop doesn’t abuse his power on a day to day basis? Everyone sees them turn on their lights to go through stop lights just so they can get to the donut shop quicker (I’ve actually witnessed this– yes to a donut shop and there was no call for them to come there, as I was going their myself)
Thankfully everyone now has portable video cameras (phones), and I’m surprised they didn’t confiscate the person’s phone/camera and say they needed it for evidence.
15 Bentor Tazenda // Jan 18, 2010 at 10:41 PM
Here is another very nice, very little HDTV video camera. It is meant to be a helmet camera but being so small, it is not obvious. It weighs just over 4 ounces. It is however a lot more expensive. I keep mine handy. See: http://www.vholdr.com/contourhd/features
16 discarted // Jan 18, 2010 at 10:57 PM
@:43
“somebody threw something at him. he didn’t do anything” said the chargers fan.
17 the bulldog // Jan 18, 2010 at 11:20 PM
its nice to know that cops suck in other cities too!
18 Johnny Law // Jan 19, 2010 at 12:42 AM
The police have a job to keep the peace and maintain order. We didn’t see much before the arrest so who knows what kind of reactions the fan was getting from others around him. If he was being vocal to the point that officers thought there would be a problem, they have every right to remove him. Sure there were boos but that only started when the vocal Chargers fan started yelling. I also hear cheering when the police started to detain the guy. So what? It’s typical mob mentality and doesn’t mean a thing.
The stadium is not a public venue in the same sense as a street corner. If you check the back of your ticket, you can be asked to leave at anytime. The subject was obviously resisting arrest. You can see the officers have to physically force his arms behind his back and you can see the guy trying to keep this from happening. This is resisting arrest so that charge is appropriate. The officers used great restraint and I think they let the tussle go on too long. The longer you do the handcuff dance with someone, the more chance some drunk asshole decides to get involved.
Speaking of drunk assholes, you can hear the Chargers fan getting himself worked up and grandstanding for the crowd. I would have kicked him out as well before he started a disturbance.
There is no constitutional right to watch a ballgame. You act like a clown and the organizers and their agents can ask you to leave at any time. You refuse to leave and you commit the criminal act of trespassing.
Would you have been happy if the cops had just waited until a fight broke out and someone got injured? The dynamics of large crowds are dangerous and even more so when there is alcohol involved. There is a reason why they typically keep the fans of opposing teams on different ends of the stadium.
Good job by the officers involved.
19 The Boise Picayune // Jan 19, 2010 at 12:55 AM
Johnny Law, et al…
[ insert bemused yawn here ]
The Boise Picayune´s last blog ..Fuck The San Diego Police Department!
20 Johnny Law // Jan 19, 2010 at 1:08 AM
Yawn all you want. It still doesn’t change the fact that the officers were in the right. I doubt this was the first person ejected from a football stadium and it won’t be the last.
Misguided outrage on your part or not, that sure is a professional and adult blog post title you have there! You stay classy San Diego.
21 Jay // Jan 19, 2010 at 1:22 AM
Ok, this hurts. Johnny you *might* be right about the first guy. We don’t know what happened before the video rolled. He is clearly resisting, but that brings up yet again, is it legal to resist an unlawful order — assuming what the cops were doing was unlawful. Not saying if it was or not.
The second guy that gets escorted out was PURELY because the cop didn’t like to be spoken to that way. Contempt of cop. And a trailer load of bullshit. Even in a stadium, as long as I don’t threaten a cop, I’m not breaking any laws. That cop has no right or grounds to toss the second guy. Abuse of power. Period. And that whole thing is on video.
Now I must stick my head in bleach since I almost agreed with Johnny Law.
22 The Boise Picayune // Jan 19, 2010 at 1:30 AM
We can all go home now…
Johnny Law’s apparently got it all figured out.
23 deuter // Jan 19, 2010 at 1:40 AM
So…whats up with the edit at :12 secs? Kinda makes a difference.
24 SorryJohnny // Jan 19, 2010 at 1:44 AM
Sorry Johnny, but you are in fact wrong.
Public/Private, which the Stadium is, still requires the owner to request this person be removed. That is the law. Without that request, he can not be removed, unless he has violated the law. If he has a warrant, he can be removed, if he is breaking the law, he can be removed, but until that time, he can not be removed without the owner asking that to happen. California law.
Sad to see it happen, but as was stated, there is a gap in the footage, for what ever reason, between the ‘Jets’ chanting and the ‘arrest in progress’ going on. We don’t get to see what the ruckus was all about, and the fact that he was resisting is illegal, right or wrong on the police departments fault, the ‘Jets’ fan should have went peacefully and forced their hand.
But Johnny, you need to get your facts straight there. Even if the back of the ticket gives written authorization, they have to get verbal if the owner is on the premises, and guess what, he was.
25 Johnny Law // Jan 19, 2010 at 2:29 AM
SorryJohnny.
What you don’t understand is that the officers are usually working OT for the stadium management. They are still peace officers but are there to provide security. The stadium gives the officers permission to act as they agents in cases like this. Therefore it is perfectly legal for the officers to ask them to leave. Since they are acting as an agent, if the fan refuses to leave it becomes criminal trespassing.
This is a common thing when officers work in large events such as sports games and concerts. You can’t honestly expect the owner of the stadium to run to every disturbance at these huge events.
Perhaps you need to get your facts straight before you jump to conclusions.
26 TheFamilyMan // Jan 19, 2010 at 10:10 AM
Video is a powerful tool. More than once, the police have found they need to have justification for what they do. There are pros and cons to that kind of public scrutiny, but overall it’s a force for good.
27 Andy // Jan 19, 2010 at 10:33 AM
The video cut off and comes on and you can’t see why the officers took him down, so we really can’t say they were or were not justified in there actions
28 John T // Jan 19, 2010 at 1:08 PM
SorryJohnny
The owner is under no obligation to give his personal word to have someone removed. The security at a stadium can remove you for any reason because that is what you agreed to when you purchased the ticket.
If the Jets fan refused to leave he then could be considered trespassing.
I am a season ticket holder for the Patriots and I have seen the police remove people who were do nothing more than being obnoxious.
29 Stella // Jan 19, 2010 at 1:52 PM
What stupidity could justify arresting this guy other than him cheering for his home team and the real thugs, the police objected.
Yes, he does need to sue. This is one of the most absurd arrests I’ve seen, though I’m sure there are far worse.
It does go to show that police officers can stretch the laws to meet their personal agendas. This guy did nothing wrong. Why should an arrest be justified for his own safety. Are we on the same planet? If he was in an unsafe situation, the real thugs should be arrested (there were none other than the police).
30 Thor God of Thunder // Jan 19, 2010 at 1:52 PM
JL,
I hope your last post was “tongue in cheek”, if not you have done nothing but confirmed that the people on here that can find nothing but fault with the police are correct. I have read your blog and the comments here and you seem to consider yourself a professional. Your last post was not the hallmark of a professional but I suspect you posted it simply to cause some of these people to blow a gasket.
31 Johnny Law // Jan 19, 2010 at 2:03 PM
Thor,
I didn’t write that last post. Since there is no login requirement to post here, some clowns like to hijack a commenters name and post rubbish under my name. I suppose that is easier than actually making counter points. It just proves that I am right about this video.
It was kinda funny though.
The Real Johnny Law
32 Carlos Miller // Jan 19, 2010 at 2:12 PM
I deleted the comment. It was not JL.
33 Hazy // Jan 19, 2010 at 2:32 PM
Oh wow, the person who was defending the Jets fan also got thrown out of the stadium? There was no reason to do that. Yup, just another case of cops abusing their power.
34 mepsipax // Jan 19, 2010 at 3:03 PM
Johnny law… you are about the most closed minded person I have seen in here. That was idiotic period. There was absolutely no reason (shown in that video) that he should have been arrested. That “protecting the public” speech has about had it. Played out.
mepsipax´s last blog ..Fuck fuck fuckity Fuck
35 mepsipax // Jan 19, 2010 at 3:13 PM
JL,
This is resisting arrest so that charge is appropriate
Arresting somebody for resisting arrest. That is circular logic. And to say he is trespassing, well, like others have said they twist the law to suit them. Much as lawyers do. It is all a fucking dance and we are the losers.
mepsipax´s last blog ..Fuck fuck fuckity Fuck
36 Michaelk42 // Jan 19, 2010 at 5:34 PM
Johnny Law has no place talking about “classy” blog content.
http://bit.ly/johnnylaw
He just shows up to see himself talk.
Michaelk42´s last blog ..Again with the cluelessness
37 ATruePatriot // Jan 19, 2010 at 7:14 PM
The fact is the fan was cheering an that is all we see.. Of course the other fans are going to cheer as he is removed because their home team is losing. Could something have happened in the middle yes yes it could have. That will all come out in court. It is obvious there about 3 dozen witness so the truth will come out. Because you own a badge does not mean you rule the world. Police officers are here to serve the people they are paid by tax payers dollars. Many of them are as corrupt as politicians. When someone does not do anything wrong why would they go without a fight? I have been in this position myself on my own property. There was no Probable cause for the officer to be there. They knew there was a party because we were a party house. There was no noise compliant just a bunch of cars parked outside. When I told the cop to get off my property cause he had no right to enter my house he got pissed. He knew that I knew the law and was out to get me. He then tried to place me under arrest and gave me know reason. The next thing out of his mouth was I was resisting and yes I was. There needs to be laws in place for the innocent they need to be protected as do the police. Johnny Law if you are a cop and you tried to arrest me for no reason you bet your bottom dollar I would resist. People like you make me sick. You have no backbone and no self respect. If you would have been around in the 1770′s we would still be under the crown of England. This country was founded by criminals if you want to look at it that way. I am glad they decided to commit a crime had they not we would not be free like we are today. I suppose if you were in Germany in 1934 you would have justified the Nazi’s for arresting people because they wore different clothes. Why don’t you get on a plane and go to China Johnny there you will fit right any!
38 Johnny Law // Jan 19, 2010 at 8:03 PM
Ding ding ding ding ding! Bonus points to the previous poster for bring out the Nazi analogy and China all in the same entry.
Sorry but if you have to compare murdering millions of people to ejecting a drunk from a ballgame, you need to work on your debate skills.
39 Carlos Miller // Jan 19, 2010 at 8:10 PM
There is no evidence that fan was drunk. He didn’t seem drunk to me.
Maybe a little obnoxious but that’s how Jet fans are. Doesn’t mean he should be kicked out the game.
40 the bulldog // Jan 19, 2010 at 9:21 PM
“do you wanna go outside and talk to me”? fuck yea, take that fucking badge off first mother fucker!
41 Jay // Jan 19, 2010 at 9:30 PM
I’m more concerned about the second guy. We don’t see what happened before the video rolled (or during the cut) with the first guy. He didn’t seem drunk in what we saw. The second guy got ejected for talking to the cop. That’s the bigger issue here specifically since the video wasn’t there with the first guy.
42 impaler // Jan 19, 2010 at 10:17 PM
Yeah, maybe asking him to discuss it outside was a way of asking him to discuss it away from cameras and witnesses. Not saying an actual assault took place, but maybe some intimidation.
43 Johnny Law // Jan 19, 2010 at 11:44 PM
Did he get ejected? I’m not sure uf thus is the case. He wanted to yell at the cop in front of an audience. The cop didn’t have to stand there and listen to. The longer he stood there, the greater the chance of catching a bottle upside the head.
He told the loudmouth that if he wanted to talk, they could do it outside. Loudmouth kept on so the cop took him outside. How do we know he didn’t come back after he got done venting?
However I do think the officer would be justified if he did kick him out of the station.
44 Jay // Jan 20, 2010 at 3:31 AM
I’m not sure if the second guy was permanently ejected, but if that guy wasn’t doing anything wrong, why didn’t the OFFICER walk away?
“catch a bottle upside the head”? Seriously? While I submit that that could be possible, that cop was in no more danger from a bottle than if he was standing anyplace else in the stadium. It that was true, no cops inside the stadium could ever stand still.
Right or wrong, once the first guy was removed, there was no reason whatsoever for the cop to continue to engage with the second guy.
And I couldn’t disagree with you more: the officer would NOT have been justified to toss him. All he did was talk to/yell at the cop — which is not illegal and as long as he didn’t threaten the cop, it’s a simple case of “I don’t like what you’re doing, I can toss you and I will” — which is an abuse of power and wrong.
45 Johnny Law // Jan 20, 2010 at 3:50 AM
“While I submit that that could be possible, that cop was in no more danger from a bottle than if he was standing anyplace else in the stadium. It that was true, no cops inside the stadium could ever stand still.”
The crowd was obviously riled up (partially due to the loudmouth) and it would have been foolish to stand there in the middle of them to have a debate with the guy. Getting out of that situation and into a quieter area was good tactics. I have been in similar situations inside crowded nightclubs and I always take things away from the crowd.
I do agree with you that the officer should have just walked away from the loudmouth. There was no point in getting pulled into an argument with the guy. He was not involved with the first arrest and I would have told him that it didn’t concern him. If he didn’t like it, tough. However if the officer felt that he needed to answer the guy’s complaints, it was appropriate to move it to another location.
46 NYCPhotorights // Jan 20, 2010 at 8:11 AM
AFAIAC cops are government officials and criticizing them and their actions is fully protected by the first amendment of the constitution of the United States. So if they are getting yelled at or booed they should either accept it and ignore it or provide full and civil explanations for their actions. At no time should they in any way retaliate against someone who is exercising his first amendment right to criticize the government AND those who represent the government (i.e. police and other government workers)
47 Matty G // Jan 20, 2010 at 9:41 AM
The San Diego police force is a complete joke and an embarrassment to any police force in this country that were to watch this. that officer at the end of the video should be fired. some cops think they can do whatever becuase they have a badge. goes to show you its still people in the drivers seat everyone. stand up for your rights….and F San Diego’s corrupt police force.
48 NEIL & MARILYN // Jan 20, 2010 at 11:06 AM
ONE OF US IS A EAGLES FAN AND THE OTHER A PATRIOTS FAN, AND WE WOULD HAVE FELT THE SAME WAY IF IT HAD HAPPENED TO ANY OF OUR TEAM’S FANS.
THIS WAS A PURE AND SIMPLE UNNECESSARY ACT OF INTIMIDATION AND POWER FROM THESE SAN DEIGO POLICE OFFICERS.
WE HAVE SEVERAL MEMBERS OF OUR FAMILY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND WOULD BE MORTIFIED IF THEY HAD TAKEN PART IN THIS TYPE OF SCENERIO. THERE APPEARED TO BE ABSOLUTLELY NO REASON TO HARRASS OR ARREST THIS JETS FAN, FOR SIMPLY CHEERING ON HIS TEAM. THANK GOD FOR VIDEO. WE HOPE HE SUES THE INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS AS WELL AS THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE TRUMPED UP CHARGE OF RESISTING ARREST. THIS WAS A WRONGFUL ARREST AND A VIOLATION OF HIS CIVIL RIGHTS. HE WAS JUST CHEERING FOR HIS TEAM.
WE TOTALLY RESPECT THE CHARGER FAN THAT STOOD UP FOR HIM, AS WELL AS THE OTHER CHARGER FANS THAT MADE THEIR OPINION OF THE SITUATION KNOWN BY BOOING THE OFFICERS. THAT SHOWED REAL SPORTSMANSHIP ON THEIR PART…..AND ISN’T THAT WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT ANYWAY?
IN TODAY’S TROUBLED TIMES, WE ARE SURE THOSE OFFICERS COULD HAVE FOUND A MUCH MORE WORTHY PERSON OR PERSONS TO HARRASS AND ARREST.
49 Paola // Jan 20, 2010 at 11:30 AM
Don’t get me wrong I hate when fans cheer for the opposing teams…but Damn that’s bullshit! Why arrest somebody for not doing anything??
50 james // Jan 20, 2010 at 11:36 AM
75% pigs 25% humans.
what happens when you give pathetic souls a badge. i hope they lose their jobs.
51 ray // Jan 20, 2010 at 12:16 PM
That’s why cops are sometimes referred to as pigs…what does the video gap show?
52 Rail Car Fan // Jan 20, 2010 at 3:53 PM
Once again “Johnny Law” shows us his typical response to situations involving LEO’s and citizens with his “Police Can Do NO Wrong” attitude.
I’ve seen his posts on other web sites.. and it seems like its ALWAYS the same as in his above post. I’ve just gotten to the point where I take what he says “with a grain of salt”, as the old saying goes.
Rail Car Fan
53 Rail Car Fan // Jan 20, 2010 at 3:59 PM
Since when is it against the law to be obnoxious. If that were the case, half the people you see would be in jail. Well you get my point.
Rail Car Fan
54 Rail Car Fan // Jan 20, 2010 at 4:09 PM
I went to the web site. I saw his by-line..
“Good, bad, I’m the guy with the gun!”
It doesn’t take much to figure out where the attitude comes from. I guess you can say and do whatever you want if you’re carrying a piece of tin and a gat to go along with it!
Rail Car Fan
55 Rail Car Fan // Jan 20, 2010 at 4:23 PM
Once again we see from where “Johnny Law” comes.
“The cop didn’t have to stand there and listen to.”
That’s right “JL”. All the cop had to do was turn around, walk away and the whole situation would have been over.. but NO!, he had to show the fan who was boss there, and YOU wonder why people feel the way they do about cops.
Rail Car Fan
56 Johnny_Law_Is_An_Idiot // Jan 20, 2010 at 4:30 PM
Johnny Law sounds like a police officer.
I only hope the jackoff isn’t an officer anywhere close to where I live.
I fear a Rodney King incident in Johnny Law’s jurisdiction.
Hey Johnny Law, how come 69,000 Chargers’ fans weren’t arrested for cheering for their team the same way the Jets’ fan was cheering for his team?
On the other hand, don’t answer. You’ve already proved your a meathead who needs a timeout.
Idiot.
57 David` // Jan 20, 2010 at 5:01 PM
Congrats to the Charger fans for holding there cool. Us Jets fans could never have done that.
58 Jon // Jan 20, 2010 at 6:39 PM
Has anyone heard anything further about this?
I have been thinking this video and event over and expect that the following occurred:
Jets fan cheered his team on (as he has every right to do regardless off what Johnny Law thinks).
Another patron, annoyed at the Jets fan cheering, throws something at him.
Someone else calls security and reports one guy just threw something at another guy.
Security shows up and assumes that it was the Jets fan (you know ‘cause cheering is the same as assault).
Security tells the guy that he is either being ejected from the event, or that he needs to sit down and shut up and if he doesn’t he will be ejected.
Jets fan says “JETS! JETS! JETS!!” followed up with “I ain’t going with you, I didn’t do anything wrong!” (all within his rights).
Cops decide that to try and arrest the man.
The fail point in this scenario is that the cops clearly assessed the situation poorly. I base this on the statements by the man yelling at the cops that “he didn’t do anything!” (you know the “loudmouth” as Johnny Law likes to call anyone who doesn’t bend over and take it the way he likes to give it), and the people nearby booing, oh and the guy who hands his information to arrestee’s girlfriend. Overall, it is pretty clear that, regardless of what wasn’t in the video, the officers handled it poorly and most likely got the wrong guy. These officers seemed more concerned with their pride than actually preventing or following up on a crime.
Think about it this way. If someone did throw something at the Jets fan then doesn’t that mean that he was the victim (throwing something at another person is assault). Doubly, this guy then gets pounced on by the police meaning that he was a victim twice over! The police failed in detecting and apprehending the actual assailant.
59 David` // Jan 20, 2010 at 6:52 PM
Unfortunately he has no chance of winning any law suit. The law is so vague that any disturbance by a patron can cause that person to be ejected. Once asked to leave you must or you can be arrested.
60 Johnny Law // Jan 20, 2010 at 7:09 PM
Wow there are some real law enforcement experts on this site! It is a shame you don’t pin on a badge and go do my job perfectly. You will find out real quick that it isn’t as clear cut as you seem to think.
I guess real experience isn’t any near as satisfying as being an Internet expert though.
61 Michaelk42 // Jan 20, 2010 at 8:16 PM
Ah, the ever-popular “you don’t do my job so you have no right to comment on it and your opinion means nothing” defense.
Of course, if ordinary people can’t understand laws or how they’re applied, it’s kind of hard to have a functional society. And everyone that’s part of the society does get a say in, and the right to criticize, how it’s run.
That’s why people here are citizens, not subjects.
62 the lone white boy // Jan 20, 2010 at 8:33 PM
hey, the reson why he was arrested was that an offduty cop was in the stands, got pissed at the guy, then texted his cop buddies & told them he was intoxicated & to come remove him.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/rough_go_for_jet_fan_NB4n6uOatukibfcvmIvz8H
63 the lone white boy // Jan 20, 2010 at 8:43 PM
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/rough_go_for_jet_fan_NB4n6uOatukibfcvmIvz8H
An offduty cop was in the stands, got pissed off at the loud jets fan…. and texts his cop buddies, telling them that the jets fan is intoxicated & to come remove him.
I tried to post a comment in the main section, but it seems my comments wont show up. So I am posting here so it will be seen (if it works)
64 All Be Damned // Jan 20, 2010 at 8:46 PM
OK so JL i have looked into this very carefully.
And as i read the law ( Constitution, Fedral , and California) you May resist arest at any point and it is also the law to FIGHT for ones freedoms against a government and its Reps. However you may be charged with Resisting aresst ONLY if the arest was with in the scope of the charge that was brought against the individual. Example : if i have a sign posted that trespassers will be shot on sight and i shot a cop for trespassing i may not be held acountable if the cop dies that is my right to protect my land, family and other possestions. Now if i shot the cop on the street yes i can be charged with Attempted murder and should be. So the man had every right to resist an unlawful arest acording to the Bill of rights. Its is also Understood that the right of a state to make individual laws is up held by the bill of rights Unless that law infringes on the freedoms of the Bill of rights and the constitution. In my Humble opinion This man had every right to risist aresst. as to the way the california law reads and the back of those tickets ” the OWNER if on the premisios MUST give writen athority signed and dated for its Security ( not the police ) to eject someone and that is ONLY if the person is causeing a ruckess where someone WILL get hurt not the imenant possability of injury. No i am not a lawyer Just a normal citizen of the US who happens to belive in fighting for the freedoms that are given to me by GOD not by man… Reread the bill of rights and the Constituion befor you respond and tell me that those rights can be taken from me. Yes they can try and i garuntie that i will defend those rights tell i die and i have defended them in the past.
I HAVE THE RIGHT TO LIFE LIBORTY AND THE PRESUIT TO HAPPIENESS.
FREE SPEECH AND THE RIGHT TO BARE ARMS AGAINST AN AGRESSIVE GOVERNMENT
All BE Damned
65 Si // Jan 21, 2010 at 12:48 AM
My guess is that the gap in the tape is there because nothing was recorded inbetween because nothing was happening. The guy with the camera probably got a shot of the Jets fan and that’s all he wanted and then started recording again when the cops showed up. Speculation on my part of course. Can’t believe they would eject someone for that. These cops should go to a football or Rugby game in Europe some time. Thanks to the fan who stood up to these cops. More people need to stand up for strangers and our own rights.
66 Carlos Miller // Jan 21, 2010 at 1:22 AM
Thanks for update, LWB. Sorry it got stuck in my spam folder.
67 Jon // Jan 21, 2010 at 3:17 PM
Fair enough – hindsight is 20/20 and all that.
Johnny Law – you are no expert on the law or law enforcement. Your knowledge is limited to the law as it applies to your job and your ability to manipulate the law in support of yourself or your brothers-in-blue. Not justice, not right-or-wrong, not as a proud public servant, just as a CYOA necessity. Further you are a single opinion, no more or less valuable than anyone else here. You wrongly assume that because you are an officer you have some valuable insight that supersedes the experiences, knowledge, and opinions of everyone else here. You don’t own the badge you wear, you don’t represent all law enforcement (I know a few who would cringe at your posts here and on your personal blog), you don’t get respect just because you put on the uniform – police abuses have pretty much destroyed any chance at that. As for pinning that badge on myself and doing your job perfectly- I would consider it if not for the fear of having to work with people like you. I readily concede that your job is hard, frustrating and mistakes happen. In my opinion the police would get a lot further (and maybe that respect that you feel is automatically deserved) with the public if they took less of an ‘us vs you/them’ approach when dealing with grey area situations (like the one depicted in this video).
From my perspective (admittedly only 1 opinion, no more or less valuable that anyone else’s here) you do more damage for the image of LEOs than many of the officers that wind up having their stories posted on Carlos’ site. The cops getting busted by videos, photos, and the like are usually just dumb or ignorant. You show up here to reinforce that perspective on purpose with a self-righteous atitude that is truly scary.
68 Lis // Jan 21, 2010 at 9:32 PM
That guy did nothing WRONG!!!! Where is CHUCKY FLYNN!!!!
69 Peter // Jan 23, 2010 at 5:49 PM
Scott,
BRAVO! The problem is actually a First Amendment issue re: Speech. The police resonably should know that they cannot arrest someone based upon the message. That’s what happened here. Was this guy causing a riot? NO!
The NFL has rules re: taunting, a.k.a. sportsmanship. They established those rules because than can. Otherwise, and prior to their establishment, player statements were governed by the same rules that govern fans’ remarks – NONE.
At a time when California NEEDS tourism’s $$$, we’re best served by letting them know that absent the officers’ leave w/out pay while investigating, and a thorough conclusion, we won’t be vacationing in a Police State.
I’ve already written on Mayor (not Colonel) Jerry Sanders’ website asking for an explanation, and will be snail mailing both he and Chief William Lansdowne of the S.D.P.D.
I encourage all Americans who are concerned about the erosion of their civil liberties to do the same.
Peter
70 Peter // Jan 23, 2010 at 5:55 PM
WRONG! In this country, you don’t punish the message.
THE SPEECH IS PROTECTED. (Period.)
We’ve all heard it – unless one is yelling, “Fire” in a crowded theater (where there is an obvious risk of imminent, serious physical damage or property damage). This was none of that!
71 Brian Wells // Jan 24, 2010 at 5:14 PM
I wish you hippie’s would stop whining when you get arrested. This video is incomplete.Look at it again ,he starts out with a long sleve shirt then suddenly he has a short sleve shirt.WTF happened to the missing video .When you take swing at cop there going to fuck you up and its legal.So shut up and obey the law. Fuckin Hippies!!
72 Brian Wells // Jan 24, 2010 at 5:34 PM
Qualcomm stadium has a rule under fan conduct. That says he could be removed and arrested .
73 Brian Wells // Jan 24, 2010 at 5:43 PM
Crowd control 101,Thank you SDPD for doing your job.
74 joker // Feb 10, 2010 at 7:12 PM
lol. Brian, you are either a cop or don’t live in SD. Pretty much everyone in this city knows how SDPD is a f up. I would never, ever, ask them to help me nor my kids cuz they might arrest me for asking them to help us. lol. They are truly low life cops and I would never tell my son to be a cop nor have respect for any cops in this county. Oh and the mexican race cops are the worst here. They think everyone is after them or something. We’re just human you dumb asses.
75 Rusty Carr // May 5, 2010 at 12:21 AM
I agree with you Brian, all them fucktard people in the stands wearing tie-die T-shirts shudda been arrested!!
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