Gutsy, Constitution-Literate Man Holds His Ground Firmly Against Reasonable, Albeit Pushy Cops

Aug. 1, 2023.
This video was posted today by Jim Rizoli without attribution, so I don't know where or when it took place. The video was taken in the lobby of a public school district office. The two officers invovled are Officers Dreyfus and R. Pacheko. I don't know who is taking the video, but I give him a great deal of credit for keeping his cool and not knuckling under to police coercion and intimidation. The video guy knew exactly what to say in response to the questions and statements form Officer Dreyfus, who struck me as more cool headed and thinking than Officer Pacheko. Both of these cops had the good sense to not get tough with this guy since he knew his stuff and knew the law and made it crystal clear that he had a Constitutional Right to be in that office and also had the right to take video or photos while he was there -- whether the woman working behind the counter LIKED it or NOT. As the video guy correclty pointed out to her and to the cops, she is being paid to be a Public servant, working in a Public building and is REQUIRED to put up with the Public asking questions, or recording or taking photographs inside that lobby during business hours. If not, as he said, "go sit in the back or get another job." It's videos like this that make it clear to both police and citizens that policemen are not Blue Uniform Dictators with badges who can tell citizens to do anything they say and expect them to yield without question. People who have the strength and commitment to stand up for their rights help ALL of us to retain and exercise those rights against those who would walk over them.

Ken Adachi