Rent-a-cop problems

colyn

colyn

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I was in downtown Fort Worth today doing some general street photography when I was approached by a security officer aka Rent-a-cop (not a real police officer) who told me I could not take photos. I handed him a copy of The Photographers Rights which he tore up and threw in the street without reading it. He then reached for my camera and when I backed away he pulled out his stun gun. I then called 911 while keeping distance between me and his stun gun. The first policeman arrived within a minute and put him on the ground.

He was detained till his supervisor arrived and relieved him of his duties. I now have to go to the security firm's office Monday and file a formal complaint.
 
Wonder how many times he's applied for the police academy and been denied on his phsyche evaluation. My best friend became a policeman years ago and my nephew is currently in law enforcement. I seriously concerned for him, as regards how my best friend changed. However, the much bigger problem is the rejects who make it into rent-a-cop uniforms and get stun guns (and probably a throw down gun on their ankle). You got lucky. Good presence of mind on the 911 call. You were probably about to go down.
 
I should have added.... I might (might) argue rights with a real policeman. Never with a rent-a-cop. They are troubled minds usually. Working for minimum wage to wear the uniform and swagger and intimidate people.
 
It's a scary situation when a minimum-wage uniform is able to go on a power trip and pull a taser on somebody just for backing away from a confrontation.
 
kuzano said:
Wonder how many times he's applied for the police academy and been denied on his phsyche evaluation. My best friend became a policeman years ago and my nephew is currently in law enforcement. I seriously concerned for him, as regards how my best friend changed. However, the much bigger problem is the rejects who make it into rent-a-cop uniforms and get stun guns (and probably a throw down gun on their ankle). You got lucky. Good presence of mind on the 911 call. You were probably about to go down.
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His explanation to the police was that I was the one who was confrontational and had to be taken down but several people who witnessed the event disagreed.

Thankfully police response downtown is quick...
 
erikhaugsby said:
It's a scary situation when a minimum-wage uniform is able to go on a power trip and pull a taser on somebody just for backing away from a confrontation.
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The scary thing about this is he is/was a security guard working at a bank 3 blocks away..
 
These things just don't happen in other parts of the world, where security guards are all pot-bellied, middle-aged men, and where stun-guns are outlawed.

Clarence
 
This is why I get into trouble, because some punk like that gets in myface I don't back down. It's the Marine in me ;)

However I did get into a bit of an argument with a monk at the Tomb of Christ in Jerusalem and I did back down. I mean I can't hurt a monk in his house of worship.
 
colyn said:
His explanation to the police was that I was the one who was confrontational...
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Well naturally, you demanded your rights given to you by law. It is bad enough the (little) people were given rights, but then to expect to exercise them... What is the world coming to?
 
It's the combination of rent-a-cop, uniform, minimum wage and taser in the same posting that scares the crap out of me. Security guards up here in Canada are by and large only armed with flash lights and might be slightly better trained.

If you were confronted on the street off private property, this guy just lost his job.
 
At least you didn't end up on YouTube ("Don't tase me, bro!") :eek: .

But seriously, unless r-a-c was deputized or an off-duty real peace officer, he has no more right to carry a stun gun than you do, and no right to claim that you were confrontational and he was not. This guy assaulted you - the legal definition of assault - first when he tried to take your camera, and again when he pulled a stun gun on you.

If you file the formal complaint the security company will try to get you to sign away your right to legal and tort recourse. Don't sign. Contact an attorney, file a complaint for assault with the real cops, and sue the security company.

- John
 
As someone who has been in the security business for years, this sort of crap really makes me cringe. There are a lot of good people in the business - students, young kids getting experience before they get pulled into an academy, retirees, and so on - and then there are some serious freaks. Heaven knows I've worked with enough of those, and had to fire more than my fair share of 'em.

His authority is derived from his acting as an agent of the property owner of the property he is protecting (at least in most jurisdictions). Off his property, he's got no more or less rights than you do. From the way the incident is described, this is legally no different than a mugger who trying to steal your camera while threatening you with a stun gun. He just happened to be wearing a uniform instead of a ski mask.
 
flippyot said:
However I did get into a bit of an argument with a monk at the Tomb of Christ in Jerusalem and I did back down. I mean I can't hurt a monk in his house of worship.
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This sounds like it could be an interesting story. Please, continue...
 
foto_fool said:
If you file the formal complaint the security company will try to get you to sign away your right to legal and tort recourse. Don't sign. Contact an attorney, file a complaint for assault with the real cops, and sue the security company.

- John
Click to expand...

A few minutes ago I called a friend who is an attorney in Houston. He will handle the situation from here on out and any future communications will be referred to him.

I have no intentions of signing away any of my rights. It takes a lot to anger me but this situation has done it..
 
JNewell said:
You're lucky the real police responded so quickly... :eek:
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Downtown is pretty much saturated with officers on the weekends plus a sub station was 4 blocks away
 
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