New footage has emerged of NBA star Cameron Payne’s arrest, which arresting officers described as the “dumbest possible way” to be taken to jail.
The 30-year-old man was arrested in Scottsdale, Arizona, after he called police shortly before 3 a.m. on June 14 after arguing with his girlfriend.
However, the real reason the New York Knicks guard was ultimately arrested and taken to jail was easily avoidable.
The exchange between Payne and the officers, who were left in disbelief at the ordeal, was captured in new body camera footage released by the Scottsdale Police Department this week.
When police arrived at Payne’s property in response to their 911 call, the former 76ers player is seen telling them that he and his girlfriend “just had a disagreement, going back and forth.”
New footage has emerged from the arrest of NBA star Cameron Payne earlier this year.
Payne insisted that the fight did not turn violent, apparently suggesting that the officers’ help was no longer needed.
One of the police officers began asking Payne for his information while his partner entered the property to talk to his girlfriend.
However, Payne refused to reveal his name, saying he did not have to tell the officer and would “prefer not to.”
The police officer calmly explained that they needed the correct names and personal information of the parties involved when responding to a domestic violence call.
“You can do it, but if you prefer not to, I would have to arrest you,” the officer said.
But Payne continued to resist providing his identification until his girlfriend intervened.
Despite referring to him as ‘Cameron’, his girlfriend told him: ‘Follow what you wear, Terry Johnson.’
Payne eventually provided his alias, ‘Terry Johnson’, as a name to the officer, who proceeded to ask him his date of birth.
New York Knicks Guard’s Arrest Called “Dumbest” by Arresting Officers
Payne was arrested after telling police his name was “Terry Johnson.”
Similarly, Payne again refused before finally relenting and hesitantly telling the officer that his birthday is January 1, 1998.
“I’m going to check this out because it looks like you just made up a birthday,” the officer said.
Payne then became irritable and argued with the officer inside his home who had entered to check on his girlfriend. He demanded that the police officer leave the property while they explained that they had to stay because they might have to arrest him for providing false details.
The basketball player finally snapped, repeating his real name three times along with his correct date of birth.
“Okay, you’re under arrest for giving a false name,” the officer responded as the other officer handcuffed Payne. “That was stupid.”
“That was the dumbest way to get him arrested,” the second officer said. “I’ve arrested people for stupid things and this is at the top of the list.”
The 30-year-old signed with the Knicks this offseason in free agency.
“Dude, do you realize that you could have told us your real name and we would have left five minutes ago and now you’re going to jail,” the second officer said as he was led to the police car.
Payne’s girlfriend reportedly later defended him, claiming that ‘Terry Johnson’ was an alias he used when dating or booking hotels as an NBA player.
Payne was eventually taken to jail, where he was charged with refusing to provide a truthful name and making a false report to authorities. He was reportedly released shortly after.
Payne was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 14th pick in the 2015 NBA draft. He played for the Bulls, Cavaliers, Suns, Bucks and, most recently, the 76ers before signing with the Knicks this summer in free agency.