Watch the moment when two male police officers intimidate and assault a known police auditor, Koleeberks (from YouTube), for rightfully filming a police station.
Auditor Attacked and Intimidated For Filming Police
Shocking footage has emerged of Thames Valley Police officers intimidating a civilian for filming a police station in Buckinghamshire. Koleeberks, a popular police auditor on YouTube (Koleeberks on YouTube), captured the encounter at High Wycombe Police Station; showing two male officers abusing their powers.
He was approached by uniformed officers in a marked police vehicle, who asked him why he was filming. After explaining his actions in relation to his audit, the officer seen in the passenger seat then asks for his ID and queries about his employer (he works for himself).
"I'm doing an audit of the police station, do you not know what an audit is?" Koleeberks asked the officer. The officer in the driver's seat, for whom we deem the aggressor, then asked the YouTuber to elaborate further by asking what auditing was.
For those unfamiliar with auditing, according to Wikipedia: "It [auditing] is often categorized by its practitioners, known as auditors, as activism and citizen journalism that tests constitutional rights; in particular the right to photograph and video record in a public space. Auditors believe that the movement promotes transparency and open government."
After appearing unsatisfied with his reasons for filming the nick (station), especially after saying, "it's like when you film the comings and goings of a police station", the aggressor then said: "yeah I don't think you can do that mate, literally give me some ID or you need to f*ck off."
Shocked by his response, Koleeberks asked him to repeat himself. The officers then proceeded to exit the vehicle before becoming confrontational. After forcefully removing his phone from him, they then begin to detain him with insults aplenty, under controversial terrorism laws.
"Get your f*cking hands behind your back" the aggressor said while Koleeberks pleaded with them. Several seconds later, the aggressor then knees Koleeberks in his leg from behind. The police didn't refrain from using profanity thereafter, even with a camera recording them.
Including ourselves, social media users took to the internet to share disgust, with many viewers considering their behaviour as "bullying". In a moment in time where police brutality is a hot topic, considering George Floyd, to France's controversial bill that would make it a criminal offence to film or take photos of police (after beating the sh*t out of a black man), confidence in police will continue to deteriorate.
Thankfully in the UK, the Metropolitan Police recognises the "freedom to photograph and film". However, this doesn't stop a certain few from denying civilians their basic rights. According to the Metropolitan Police website: "Members of the public and the media do not need a permit to film or photograph in public places and police have no power to stop them filming or photographing incidents or police personnel."
Then there's the heated debate around photography and "Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000", which is widely abused by such individuals:
"Officers have the power to stop and search a person who they reasonably suspect to be a terrorist. The purpose of the stop and search is to discover whether that person has in their possession anything which may constitute evidence that they are a terrorist."
Tanizzle has asked Koleeberks and the Metropolitan Police for comment. Officers 7351 and 4642 are currently identified.
What Do You Think?
For clarity, Tanizzle isn't anti-police, but we do know a "power trip" when we see one. We wonder what Crimebodge thinks of this, hmm! Know your rights.
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