- Police accuse her of obstructing government administration.
Charged: Emily Good arrested after filming police officers
A woman who filmed police officers from her own garden was arrested after refusing to put down her camera.
Emily Good found herself handcuffed after filming police arresting a man outside her New York home.
The 28-year-old was charged with obstructing government administration after officers said she refused a police officer’s order to leave her front yard and go inside.
His arrest in Rochester, New York, has sparked a media frenzy over footage of police officers.
Miss Good’s video, illuminated by police sirens, begins showing a man being questioned by a police officer at around 10pm.
“I just left the house, man, I’m sick, man,” the man who has been arrested is heard saying.
He is taken away in handcuffs and one of the officers turns to the camera and asks, “Do you need anything?”
Just, this is my front yard, I’m just recording what you’re doing. It’s my right,” Miss Good replies.
Caught on Camera: Emily Good Video Captures Transit Police Handcuffing Their Suspect
“Actually, not from the sidewalk,” the officer responds.
The video, posted online this week, more than a month after Miss Good’s arrests on May 12, has raised questions about whether she was within her rights to film or should have listened to the police and entered her home.
Rochester Police Union President Mike Mazzeo said the officer in question repeatedly told Miss Good that he felt threatened by her presence.
‘I see an officer who shows great restraint, maintains his composure, acts professionally and clearly gives very clear and concise orders to an individual who simply did not follow them.
Captured: The moment the officers realize they are being filmed and begin to question Miss Good
Mazzeo says what can’t be ignored is the danger police face on a daily basis and says the fact that she is on his property is insignificant.
“I think he certainly was trying to engage the officers, in my opinion, and that’s what’s so dangerous because it’s a distraction from what these officers are doing,” he added.
They took away: the film shows the treatment that the agents gave to their suspect
The police chief has ordered an internal investigation into the incident.
Mazzeo says the officer told him that Miss Good claimed to know the man being frisked in the video.
He says because she claimed to have an association with the man, the officer had more reason to be concerned about her behavior.
The police chief noted that Miss Good has not filed any formal complaint.
Her lawyers say it’s because Miss Good has been investigating a possible civil lawsuit.