Officer Lambert Detained Him 20 Minutes for Public Photography — Then Couldn't Name One Law!

Added: 2026-05-31

[00:00:01]What's the [snorts] purpose of you taking pictures?

[00:00:03]>> I'm just taking a couple pictures.

[00:00:05]>> Of our equipment and such?

[00:00:07]>> Yeah, anything. Yeah, anything that looks cool is just cool photos and whatever. I sell them and and do what I do all kinds of stuff.

[00:00:14]>> Okay.

[00:00:15]>> What's the What's the problem though?

[00:00:17]>> because obviously >> There's a little COVID issue. Let's get a little back, right?

[00:00:22]>> With our issues with security and and the the issues that we've had with protests and things like that.

[00:00:27]>> Okay.

[00:00:28]>> We don't want people on our premises taking pictures of our equipment and things like that.

[00:00:34]>> Okay.

[00:00:34]>> This video comes from Bay Area Transparency. The incident started when he was simply taking photos around the public area at the Sacramento Security Center. Even though the parking lot and building were open to the public, Officer Lamberg claimed that filming was suspicious, escalating things from an unnecessary ID demand to threats of trespass.

[00:00:55]>> Okay.

[00:00:56]>> So, that's my concern is I don't know who you are or what you're all about.

[00:01:01]>> Yeah. Well, when I'm done, I'll I'll leave and and then >> Okay. What more do you need to do?

[00:01:05]>> Uh you know, I'm just going to walk around and take a bunch of pictures.

[00:01:09]>> Okay.

[00:01:10]Well, then I'm going to need to see some identification and make sure that your purposes are not going to be used for any malfeasance.

[00:01:23]>> So, I don't I'm lost. I like I don't know how my identification is going to tell you that there's no >> Look, it right now it's it's a very >> you're doing.

[00:01:33]>> It's a very sensitive time right now.

[00:01:36]So, if you want to you know, be off the premises and do what you're going to do.

[00:01:41]But, if you're going to be on the premises taking uh pictures of our equipment and things, then that's suspicious to me, okay?

[00:01:48]>> But, how I don't understand how then how does my identification help you figure out whether it's not suspicious anymore?

[00:01:54]>> So, now I'll know who you are.

[00:01:56]>> 11 seconds in and you already have everything you need to understand exactly what kind of encounter this is going to be. A photographer is walking around a publicly accessible area near the Sacramento Security Center. He is taking photos. Not of classified documents. Not of restricted equipment behind secured fencing. Of things, visible ordinary things in a space that is open to any member of the public who wants to walk through it. And Officer Lambert's response to this activity is to approach him with a concern that is not a law wrapped in a justification that is not probable cause and a demand that has no legal foundation whatsoever.

[00:02:34]COVID issues. Security concerns.

[00:02:37]Protests.

[00:02:39]Three separate justifications layered on top of each other in rapid succession because none of them individually is strong enough to hold up. COVID does not suspend the First Amendment. Security concerns do not override public access rights. Past protests in the area do not create retroactive reasonable suspicion against a photographer who is nowhere near them. And then comes the demand.

[00:03:02]I'm going to need to see some identification and make sure your purposes are not going to be used for any misfeasance.

[00:03:09]The photographer asks the question that dismantles the entire premise in one breath.

[00:03:14]I don't understand how my identification is going to tell you that.

[00:03:18]And he is absolutely right. An ID does not reveal intent. An ID does not confirm threat level. An ID is a piece of paper with a name and a birthday. And demanding it without legal basis is not security. It is the appearance of security performed for an audience of one by an officer who is about to learn that the person standing in front of her has been paying attention.

[00:03:41]>> Okay.

[00:03:41]>> And if those pictures lead to anything negative down the road we'll be able to at least contact you and say, "Hey, what's up with the pictures doing this and that?"

[00:03:51]>> Well, I don't know how all that works like with the law. But, like do I have to show you my ID or can I keep my identity private?

[00:03:59]>> Well, you can leave.

[00:04:00]>> Well, I'm not done doing what I need to do though.

[00:04:03]>> Okay, well, what you're telling me you need to do is not acceptable at this point in time. But, then you can leave.

[00:04:09]>> I don't have to leave if I'm going to go do business over there. I don't understand what the problem is.

[00:04:14]>> Okay, walking around our parking lot is not doing business there. So, you need to go do business there.

[00:04:18]>> How do you know what I'm doing or not doing or what's business and not business? I don't understand the issue there.

[00:04:26]>> I just tried to explain what's going on, sir.

[00:04:29]>> but you got to understand just cuz you guys are having a sensitive thing. Thank you for turning your body camera on.

[00:04:34]I'll I'll turn mine on as well.

[00:04:37]Just cuz you guys are having a sensitive situation doesn't mean I can't be here.

[00:04:41]If it's open to the public, I can come around and do whatever I need to do and take pictures.

[00:04:46]Is that correct?

[00:04:47]>> No, it's not.

[00:04:48]>> Why not? All right. Is it Is the building closed to the public? Is the building closed to the public?

[00:04:53]>> Are you going to go deal with city development?

[00:04:56]>> Is the building closed to the public?

[00:04:58]>> is open to the public.

[00:04:59]>> Okay, then it's open to the public.

[00:05:01]>> Right. So, you need to go in there and deal with that and not walk around our parking lot and take pictures. You need to go in there and deal with that and not walk around our parking lot and take pictures.

[00:05:05]>> Then this is also open to the public. I don't understand what the problem is.

[00:05:09]We're having a very We were having a very cordial conversation.

[00:05:13]And and I don't understand why the the tension's rising or anything. Like I don't get it.

[00:05:19]>> Currently now, you're trespassing unless you're going to conduct your business, okay?

[00:05:24]>> I am. Part of what I'm doing right now is conducting my business.

[00:05:27]>> Okay, walking around our parking lot and taking pictures is not part of >> To you, but it >> No.

[00:05:34]>> Is there a law or something? I don't know how Like I said earlier, I don't know how this works at all.

[00:05:39]Okay.

[00:05:40]Got you.

[00:05:41]>> And I've been instructed to not let anybody walk around the police facility and take pictures of our equipment, okay?

[00:05:50]So, and if you're taking pictures of private cars, I don't know what the purpose of that would be, what a legitimate reason for that would be.

[00:05:57]>> Well, I'm taking all kinds of pictures and and I have business cuz I'm going to the public area where I can go and ask them information.

[00:06:06]>> Okay.

[00:06:06]>> And and based on that, I mean, I think I should be allowed to be here. So, I don't get the issue at this point.

[00:06:12]>> Again, >> Can I ask your name?

[00:06:14]>> Yep. Landburg, l a n e b e r g.

[00:06:16]>> Landburg. Okay, cool. Thank you. Good to meet you. I don't understand the problem.

[00:06:20]>> Okay.

[00:06:20]>> I'm just trying to do my business and go on my way.

[00:06:23]>> Do you have a business card?

[00:06:25]>> Uh no, I don't have a business card.

[00:06:27]>> is.

[00:06:28]>> Well, I just told you I'm taking photos.

[00:06:30]I use them for uh publications. I sell the pictures sometimes. I I do all kinds of things.

[00:06:35]>> I I and I don't >> There's pictures all over the internet and people pay for those cuz they do stories. They want pictures for their stories and you know, it's just a >> on a police facility, we have the right to control your activity here, okay? So, if you want to use the public you know, city development department, you are more than welcome to do that, but you can't just wander around the parking lot taking pictures.

[00:06:57]>> Well, if the parking lot is public and I'm able to go into the public building, >> building and we can discuss this with uh one of my supervisors.

[00:07:08]>> No, I'm not interested in doing that. I want to continue taking my pictures and and maybe not be 6 ft again like we were earlier and just do what I need to do.

[00:07:18]Like, I understand you don't want it, but that's why I'm asking. Like, is there a law? Cuz you asked for my ID earlier and I asked is there a law? Cuz I don't know that stuff. And so, I'm just trying to gauge whether there is a law that says I can't do this and there's a law that says I have to show my ID and I don't know about any of that. So, I'm asking basically as a citizen and I'm hoping you'll be honest and tell me what cuz if there's a law that says I can't be in here and do this.

[00:07:43]>> Correct. Yes.

[00:07:44]>> Then >> Even though there's public access to this property, it is still a police facility.

[00:07:49]>> Right.

[00:07:50]>> And if you're not here on legitimate reasons, then you are trespassing.

[00:07:54]>> Okay.

[00:07:54]>> Okay?

[00:07:55]>> Okay. And I'm here for a legitimate reason.

[00:07:58]>> Which I have yet to determine.

[00:08:00]>> Who gets to choose that?

[00:08:02]>> My supervisors.

[00:08:03]>> Your supervisors get to choose that because it's a police facility?

[00:08:06]>> you want to go talk with the supervisor and have this explained to you?

[00:08:09]>> No, no. I want to continue doing what I'm doing. I I just want to be left alone. Like I I didn't I didn't engage with you. I just was doing my thing and I would hope that you would do that.

[00:08:19]>> Why?

[00:08:19]>> Cuz that would be the dumbest mistake you would ever make.

[00:08:22]>> Okay. So obviously you're doing this for >> I'm not. It's just you can't trespass me if I'm here on public doing something. I mean, I'm in I'm in public. How can you trespass me? That's crazy.

[00:08:34]>> So I'll let you continue with what you're doing. I'll go ahead and get a hold of one of my supervisors and we'll go from there.

[00:08:40]>> Well, why don't you just leave me alone and let me do my job?

[00:08:43]>> You can do your job. I'm not going to interfere with that for now.

[00:08:46]>> Well, I also don't want to be followed around.

[00:08:47]>> Well, that's my prerogative because this is police property, so I can follow you.

[00:08:51]>> This No, this is public property. You're confused about that. Your sense of ownership and entitlement is crazy. Why?

[00:08:58]Am I being detained?

[00:09:00]>> Yes.

[00:09:00]>> I'm being detained right now.

[00:09:01]>> For further Yeah, for further investigation.

[00:09:03]>> Here is where Officer Lambert's position begins to collapse under its own weight.

[00:09:08]And it happens in real time on camera because the photographer keeps asking the one question she cannot answer.

[00:09:15]Is there a law?

[00:09:16]Not a policy. Not a preference. Not a heightened sensitivity due to current events. A law. A specific, citable, enforceable statute that prohibits a member of the public from taking photographs in a publicly accessible space on public property. Lambert searches for one throughout this entire segment. She does not find it because it does not exist. Instead, she pivots. She tries the trespass angle, warning him that he will be considered trespassing unless he goes directly to the development department and conducts only the specific business she has deemed legitimate. The photographer catches this immediately.

[00:09:54]I don't have to leave if I'm going to do business over there. I don't understand what the problem is.

[00:10:00]And he is legally correct. You cannot trespass someone from public property by simply deciding their purpose isn't valid enough. Then Lambert makes the move that transforms this encounter from a questionable ID request into a constitutional violation. She detains him. You'll be detained for further investigation.

[00:10:19]The photographer asks what crime he is being detained for. Lambert says trespassing. He points out he is on public property. She insists it is police property. He points out the development department she just referenced is publicly accessible. She has no response. Watch the photographer's body language through all of this. Calm, methodical, precise. He asks Lambert's name. He turns on his camera. He requests to hear what other officers are saying so he can monitor for inconsistencies. He is not reacting emotionally. He is building a record because he already knows how this ends.

[00:10:55]>> Okay. Well, if I if I have to stay here, I guess I'll stay here. Uh I don't You're going to be detained for further investigation?

[00:11:01]>> Yes.

[00:11:02]>> What crime am I being detained for?

[00:11:04]>> I already explained it. We'll wait for the other unit here.

[00:11:08]>> You haven't explained that I'm committing a crime. What what crime have I committed? I don't understand.

[00:11:13]>> that under the circumstances, you are in violation of trespassing on police property.

[00:11:20]>> I'm I'm violating on public property.

[00:11:22]You guys You keep saying police property. This isn't police property.

[00:11:25]You know it's not. [music] >> Yes, it is.

[00:11:26]>> That fence is probably police property cuz it says it.

[00:11:30]>> is police property.

[00:11:31]>> This facility is public property with [music] the development department that I'm going to after this. So, I don't understand the issue.

[00:11:41]>> Is this your car over here, sir?

[00:11:43]>> What was that?

[00:11:43]>> Is that your car, the Honda?

[00:11:46]>> No.

[00:11:46]>> Okay. Can you just have me back up just a little bit? So my partner can talk to you.

[00:11:50]>> Well, I have to be able to hear what they're saying.

[00:11:52]>> Okay. Well, we don't want you getting any closer for their safety, okay? And >> Well, well, got you. Yeah, I'm not getting any closer. I just want to get close enough to hear what they're saying.

[00:11:59]>> Okay. All right.

[00:12:00]>> And talking to you right now is blocking what they're saying. I'm just trying to hear cuz I don't want any weird lies.

[00:12:05]>> into the parking lot. There were no trespassing signs.

[00:12:08]>> Right.

[00:12:08]>> You didn't see those, right?

[00:12:10]>> No. There was no no trespassing signs walking in here.

[00:12:13]>> When you walk up to the gates there, they have the signs posted on on both sides over there.

[00:12:17]>> Uh well, I went through there and it's not posted. I tell you I mean I have >> Okay.

[00:12:20]>> I have pictures of it cuz I took pictures of those signs as well.

[00:12:23]>> You did though?

[00:12:23]>> Yeah, I'm just taking pictures of stuff.

[00:12:25]I don't understand what the problem is.

[00:12:26]Cuz this this is weird.

[00:12:28]>> All right. Thank you.

[00:12:29]>> So, >> What about Can we get a What's your first name, sir?

[00:12:33]>> Uh I mean, I the same thing I asked her, do I have to give my name because if I don't, I don't I don't know how that works, but if I don't have to give my name, I don't want to.

[00:12:40]>> I mean, I have You have my name right here.

[00:12:42]>> Well, what is your name?

[00:12:43]>> Officer Googleman. You can call me Officer G.

[00:12:44]>> Googleman. Okay, cool. Yeah, I mean, >> trying to be respectful. Do you have a first name at least I can call you, sir?

[00:12:49]>> Yeah, just sir is fine. I'm I'm fine with that. Yeah, if I I mean, if I don't have to give my name, I don't want to.

[00:12:54]This is just weird, man.

[00:12:55]>> You know, it would be nice if we know who you are. That way we could say, "Okay, if another officer comes by and say, 'Hey, you know, John Jones here, we already talked to him. He's cool. He can be here.'" But we don't know who you are, so we don't really know what your purpose is.

[00:13:08]>> Well, that's that's another thing I asked. If I have to give my ID, then I will, but if there's If I don't have to, then I don't want you guys all in my business and and, you know, running my name and knowing where I live and all this weird stuff like, for what?

[00:13:22]>> Well, if we kind of knew what business you had on the property, >> I need to hear what they're saying. So, if you want to walk with me over there, that's fine, but I need to be able to be able to make sure there is no lies going on here.

[00:13:34]What are we doing here? I want to get back to work.

[00:13:37]>> We're waiting for a sergeant.

[00:13:39]>> For what?

[00:13:40]>> Just trying to to clarify cuz the the thing that we're we're unsure about right now is due to COVID stuff if this is closed or open and things like that, so I'm just trying to clarify real quick what's if if we're if we're closed, then that's one thing. If we're open, then you're you're good to go.

[00:13:58]>> Yeah.

[00:13:59]>> So >> So I'm going to go see what they >> Okay.

[00:14:04]>> I've already asked the question. Is Is the Is the development department open?

[00:14:09]If so, it's open and you guys can kick rocks. I mean, what the [ __ ] At this point, I'm getting irritated.

[00:14:14]>> that's where you want is the development of the department, then >> Well, but it's none of your business. At this point, I'm getting irritated cuz she doesn't know her job. How long has she been a cop? Like a month?

[00:14:25]Come on, man. This is crazy.

[00:14:27]>> We'll try to get this all sorted out and get you on your way here.

[00:14:29]>> Well, now I've been detained for what?

[00:14:33]You guys But you don't know your job. You already said this is open to the public, so what's the issue?

[00:14:40]>> I want clarification from my sergeant.

[00:14:42]>> You So you can detain somebody to get clarification that this place is open even though you said it's open.

[00:14:48]>> [laughter] >> Oh my god.

[00:14:54]Well, if I was gathering intelligence on you guys, I sure ain't finding any.

[00:14:58]>> [laughter] >> So he has he has the ability to be here.

[00:15:02]>> Okay.

[00:15:02]>> So now I've been detained for how long?

[00:15:04]>> We're just getting clarification, so >> But the thing is is you cannot detain somebody unless you have reasonable suspicion of a crime. What was your reasonable suspicion of a crime?

[00:15:13]You had said earlier, and remember, I have it on camera that that the building is open to the public, which means this is open to the public.

[00:15:21]It But that means the the property is open to the public. Hey, keep it down.

[00:15:26]The property is open to the public. Keep it down. The property is open to the public. You hold on. The property is I've been detained for 20 minutes for something that I'm doing that's legal.

[00:15:35]So, you keep it down. No. No. No. No.

[00:15:37]The property be Calm down and be quiet, okay? Pipe down.

[00:15:41]Listen, the property was open No, I I'm free to stay as well. The property is open to the public. This is open to the public and I can be here. That's the thing. I don't know who that is. That's the thing is I can be here and you guys just detained me for over 20 minutes for some [ __ ] And you guys don't even know what you're doing. Now, instead of getting contacted by an officer that I can speak to, they're just giving me a number.

[00:16:04]>> All right, thank you. Bye-bye.

[00:16:05]>> This is the service you get in Sacramento.

[00:16:09]>> So, you can call our dispatch and give my sergeant a message and he will contact you, okay?

[00:16:14]>> Yeah, I'm not giving you guys my number.

[00:16:16]Hey, check it out.

[00:16:18]Public photography is legal. This is public. Go study up on it cuz you can't detain somebody for trespassing on public property. We can take pictures of your car just cuz you guys have a heightened awareness doesn't mean the law changed.

[00:16:33]Uh how long have you been an officer?

[00:16:35]Thanks for turning on your body cam.

[00:16:37]You're horrible. That was horrible.

[00:16:39]Fail.

[00:16:40]>> All right.

[00:16:40]>> I don't know how long you've been an officer, but you need to learn something. That's garbage.

[00:16:44]>> here. So, you can >> So, yep. See you later. Get You're You're dismissed at this point. I would get back to work.

[00:16:50]>> Yes, you are.

[00:16:51]>> You You are.

[00:16:52]>> All right, sir. Have >> You're garbage. You, too.

[00:16:56]>> You going to join me for lunch?

[00:16:57]>> Yeah, I'm just going to hang out. Yep.

[00:16:59]I'm just trying to figure out maybe if I watch what you do for a minute, I'll understand why you don't know the law. Maybe you don't use your time to study it or something. I'm not sure. So, I'm just It's like a experiment at this point like, you know, why is the officer so ignorant of the law type thing.

[00:17:17]>> It's clear that Officer Lambert didn't understand the law. That's why she kept avoiding every request to cite a specific statute. Mere suspicion isn't enough to demand ID, and each of her answers only highlighted the lack of legal basis for the stop. In the end, the officers had to admit there was no violation to act on.

[00:17:36]If you believe Officer Lambert was in the wrong, drop a number five in the comments.

[00:17:41]20 minutes. That is how long Officer Lambert managed to detain a photographer on public property for doing something that carries no criminal penalty under any law she was able to name. And the moment that number is spoken out loud, I've been detained for 20 minutes for something that I'm doing that's legal.

[00:17:59]The entire encounter reaches its legal breaking point. A second officer arrives and attempts to de-escalate. He checks whether the development department is open. He asks for clarification. And here is where the encounter becomes almost absurd because in the process of trying to justify the detention, the officers confirm what the photographer has been saying from the very beginning.

[00:18:20]The property is open to the public. That single confirmation renders every prior justification for the stop legally indefensible. You cannot detain someone for 20 minutes to determine whether a public space is open to the public when you have already told them it is open to the public. That is not investigation.

[00:18:39]That is not procedure. That is holding someone captive while you build a case for releasing them. And it is precisely the kind of enforcement behavior that courts have repeatedly identified as a Fourth Amendment violation. The photographer's exit line is a master class in measured accountability.

[00:18:55]Hey, check it out. Public photography is legal. This is public. Go study up on it because you can't detain somebody for trespassing on public property. Just cuz you guys have a heightened awareness doesn't mean the law changed.

[00:19:10]Then, after Lambert has left, he keeps the camera on her. I'm just trying to figure out maybe if I watch what you do for a minute, I'll understand why you don't know the law.

[00:19:20]Cold, precise, and completely fair.

[00:19:23]>> We had complaints regarding you and how you drive and drive >> I don't I don't know anything. I don't know anything. I don't know what you're talking about.

[00:19:29]>> your license.

[00:19:30]>> I'll give you my license.

[00:19:31]>> to have to have you take come out of the car.

[00:19:32]>> I'm not coming out of the car for nothing.

[00:19:34]>> I I promise you you're going to >> I promise you I won't. I promise you I won't.

[00:19:38]>> What's that?

[00:19:38]>> I promise you I won't.

[00:19:41]I promise you I won't come out of the car. No, you're trying to intimidate me.

[00:19:44]You're talking to me.

[00:19:44]>> to intimidate you.

[00:19:45]>> Yes, you are.

[00:19:46]Being recorded Being recorded, by the way. [clears throat] >> unsafely. She You're being recorded right here.

[00:19:51]>> Cold.

[00:19:52]You almost knocked me off the road. You almost knocked me off the road. Yes, she almost knocked me off the road. You're bullying me from behind.

[00:19:57]>> From behind?

[00:19:58]>> Yes. And a unmarked vehicle. A unmarked vehicle.

[00:20:01]>> sense.

[00:20:01]>> Yes, it does. An unmarked vehicle.

[00:20:03]>> on your license?

[00:20:03]>> My license is valid, man.

[00:20:05]>> Okay, any reason why you're driving on the shoulder of highway? Speeding.

[00:20:08]>> Driving on the shoulder of the highway?

[00:20:10]>> Yes.

[00:20:10]>> I was not driving on the shoulder. I have my dog in the car. What are you talking about? I just got a car wash. I know I got tattoos on my face. I know I look like I know >> I I'm trying to make you that kind of person.

[00:20:18]>> I'm sure I did not.

[00:20:20]Do you have proof of that, sir?

[00:20:21]>> What's that?

[00:20:22]>> Do you have proof of that?

[00:20:22]>> Yes, I do.

[00:20:23]>> Okay, where's the proof?

[00:20:24]>> right behind you is the one that called me in.

[00:20:26]>> Where's the proof?

[00:20:26]>> following you.

[00:20:27]>> Okay.

[00:20:27]>> While you were driving unsafely.

[00:20:29]>> Yep.

[00:20:30]>> All right, cool. All right.

[00:20:40]No. No, my hands are like my hands are like this. Hey, um I want to speak to a supervisor.

[00:20:44]>> Yeah, you're good.

[00:20:44]>> All right, I'm good. I want to speak to a supervisor.

[00:20:46]>> Okay, get in the car, okay?

[00:20:47]>> Don't tell me Don't tell me what to do.

[00:20:49]>> Really?

[00:20:49]>> Don't tell me what to do.

[00:20:49]>> You almost hit that girl.

[00:20:50]>> Don't tell me what to do. I know. I know.

[00:20:52]>> Oh, you do now?

[00:20:53]>> I know. No, I know what he just told me.

[00:20:55]I know what he just told me. You got proof of it?

[00:20:57]All right, just making sure. All right, anyways, I want to talk to your supervisor. Thank you. Appreciate it.

[00:21:01]>> Stay in your car.

[00:21:02]>> Appreciate it.

[00:21:05]>> All [clears throat] right, Andre.

[00:21:06]>> And I'm a correctional officer, also.

[00:21:07]>> Okay, here's the deal. I'm not going to car, I'll you, okay?

[00:21:09]>> I don't I don't I >> Listen, listen. The way you were driving was reckless, okay? You could have hurt yourself, could have hurt somebody else, all right?

[00:21:15]>> Mhm. Yeah.

[00:21:17]>> Why are you driving like that? What's that?

[00:21:18]>> Driving like what?

[00:21:20]>> Driving >> I don't know what >> You almost hit me with that on 59.

[00:21:22]>> I wasn't I'm not going to argue with you. Okay, here's the option.

[00:21:25]>> All right.

[00:21:26]>> Hold on.

[00:21:26]>> All right, good day.

[00:21:29]>> Drizzy Dre Martinez stood his ground after an unmarked patrol vehicle pulled him over and accused him of driving on the emergency shoulder. He demanded proof and refused to be pressured into admitting fault.

[00:21:40]In the end, they had to let him go without a ticket. It's a clear reminder.

[00:21:45]During >> New encounter. New state. And this time, the stop begins with something that should immediately raise every viewer's suspicion. An unmarked patrol vehicle.

[00:21:55]No visible markings. No standard police presence. Just a car that pulls someone over and immediately begins making accusations that the driver flatly denies. Drizzy Dre Martinez is accused of driving on the emergency shoulder of the highway at dangerous speeds. He denies it completely. And then he does something that demonstrates exactly the level of legal awareness this video is built around. He demands proof. Not an apology. Not compliance. Evidence. Do you have proof of that, sir?

[00:22:27]Four words. And the officer's response, pointing to another officer who was allegedly following him, is not proof.

[00:22:34]It is testimony. Uncorroborated testimony from another officer who was following the vehicle, which raises its own questions about why an unmarked car was trailing him in the first place. The driver discloses that he is a correctional officer. The dynamic shifts. The stop, which opened with aggressive accusations, suddenly becomes a warning. No ticket. No citation. No charges. The accusation of dangerous shoulder driving, the entire basis for pulling this man over evaporates the moment he stands his ground and refuses to accept fault he did not have. And the officer's exit, "The way you're driving is rough. You could have hurt yourself."

[00:23:15]Not a law, not a citation, a lecture from an officer who just admitted through his own inaction that there was nothing legally actionable about the stop from the moment it began.

[00:23:26]>> In any traffic stop, you always have the right to ask for evidence.

[00:23:30]>> So, how old are you, sir?

[00:23:32]>> 18.

[00:23:33]>> 18? Where do you go >> Yes, sir. I go to I went to Farmington and then I transferred over to Fayetteville.

[00:23:38]>> Okay.

[00:23:40]You graduate this year?

[00:23:41]>> I do.

[00:23:42]>> I mean, I have my debit card, but >> Okay.

[00:23:44]>> Okay. Lauren Walker is my name.

[00:23:47]>> Lauren Walker?

[00:23:48]>> Yes. [laughter] >> Okay.

[00:23:51]>> I'm sorry about this. I didn't know this >> I mean, do you think it's funny, sir?

[00:23:55]>> Just >> The officer pulled this couple over and immediately demanded their IDs as if it were a command.

[00:24:01]The woman didn't have her documents on her, only a bank card she offered for identification. But just a little laugh from her boyfriend was enough to hit the officer's ego, prompting him to pull the man out of the car and threaten her with an unreasonable citation. [music] >> Just Just the fact that you're checking those debit cards is pretty funny.

[00:24:20]>> I'm I'm checking it her name. Okay?

[00:24:23]>> Yeah.

[00:24:23]>> Okay.

[00:24:24]Let me Let me tell you how this is going to go, okay? Now that you think it's so funny, I'm fixing to give her a ticket for not having her ID on her. How about that? You think that's funny?

[00:24:32]>> What? How can you >> Because it's a state law.

[00:24:35]>> Mhm.

[00:24:36]I'm sorry.

[00:24:38]>> You're sorry your boyfriend's being an >> What have I done wrong?

[00:24:41]Is this a prank?

[00:24:42]>> for this situation.

[00:24:43]>> Stop Stop speaking. Stop.

[00:24:44]>> Okay, go ahead and pull him out of the car.

[00:24:46]>> For what?

[00:24:48]What am I being pulled out of the car for right now?

[00:24:50]>> Because you think it everything's so funny.

[00:24:52]>> You can't I can I can have an opinion.

[00:24:54]Can I not I an opinion?

[00:24:56]>> You can?

[00:24:56]>> What's your uh name and badge numbers?

[00:24:58]>> Sergeant Collins.

[00:25:00]>> Collins.

[00:25:00]>> Okay, with the Farmington Police Department.

[00:25:01]>> Why am I being pulled out of the car tonight?

[00:25:03]>> Uh because >> Am I being detained? Am I being detained?

[00:25:06]>> Oh, one of those. Well, you're a funny guy.

[00:25:08]>> I'm just >> Stand right there.

[00:25:08]>> I'm I'm scared for my life right now, yeah. I'm going to record it all.

[00:25:12]>> We're going to record it too, so >> Okay, I'm glad. Like, I know you are.

[00:25:15]>> letting you know.

[00:25:16]>> Like this Whatever I'm I haven't done nothing wrong. We're >> This just Okay, can I say something?

[00:25:20]>> Can I tell you something?

[00:25:21]>> Can I say something first and you can respond, okay? The reason that we're here is like Sergeant Collins already told you.

[00:25:26]>> Someone called you.

[00:25:27]>> 10:00.

[00:25:28]>> Someone called you, yes.

[00:25:29]>> Okay. What do you think happens at parks late at night usually? That's why they have an ordinance.

[00:25:32]>> People use drugs and drink, but we're not >> use drugs. Let me finish, okay?

[00:25:36]>> We're not doing any of that.

[00:25:37]>> Let me finish and you continue, okay?

[00:25:39]And the other is people out here underage doing stuff. Can you stop and stand right here like I asked you to, please?

[00:25:45]>> Can you step back? Thank you, I appreciate that.

[00:25:47]So, we're all just going to come check up on you. We're going to ID you, okay?

[00:25:51]>> And I gave you my ID and I laughed and I and I've been pulled out of the >> You're laughing. Is that really necessary?

[00:25:57]>> Yeah, but we can pull you out We don't have to have a reason to pull you out of the car.

[00:25:59]>> Can I not laugh?

[00:26:00]>> And we don't have to have a reason to pull you out of the car.

[00:26:03]>> just I'm just a funny like I'm just I'm nervous, I laugh and I I'm yeah, I'm very nervous right now.

[00:26:08]>> And you fear for your life because we're so intimidating.

[00:26:10]>> This man has constantly pulled me over and harassed me and yes, he has. So, I'm That's why I pulled out my camera instantly.

[00:26:16]>> Why Why did he pull you over in the past? Speeding or something?

[00:26:18]>> no. It's I don't know.

[00:26:20]I don't have to I don't have to tell either of y'all.

[00:26:22]>> Oh, okay.

[00:26:23]>> But, he has.

[00:26:23]>> I could run you very easily.

[00:26:25]>> I know that. I know you can.

[00:26:26]>> Go get your Go get your ID.

[00:26:27]>> He's already doing that.

[00:26:28]>> Good. But, you want some advice? I mean, you're 18, right?

[00:26:32]>> I'm not doing anything wrong. You can arrest me if you want to.

[00:26:34]>> you are because he can very easily give you a citation for being at the park after He said he would, so.

[00:26:40]>> Okay.

[00:26:42]>> In the future, if you don't want tickets, just leave the park. Yes, sir.

[00:26:44]>> No.

[00:26:45]>> Let me If you don't want a ticket, you just be normal. Just be nice. I mean, >> what you >> there's no reason for it.

[00:26:51]>> I know Farmington PD is >> Okay. Well, >> I'm just going to do my thing.

[00:26:55]>> Okay, you can do your thing and you can accumulate some tickets and get enough of them, you know, and you can frame them or something.

[00:27:03]Cuz there's no need for it.

[00:27:04]>> Uh-huh. Yeah.

[00:27:05]But you guys are going to do it anyway.

[00:27:06]>> No, actually we were going to log you and ask you to leave politely and you decided you didn't want to do that.

[00:27:14]>> I laughed because he wanted to read a debit card. We couldn't just say our names or whatever.

[00:27:18]>> Okay.

[00:27:19]But you disrespect it.

[00:27:21]>> I Yeah, I have >> Do you like to be disrespected? Yes or no? Honestly, it's a simple question.

[00:27:24]Say yes or no. You're disrespected right now.

[00:27:26]>> Okay. Well, if you weren't here after hours, you wouldn't be even being talked to us, would you?

[00:27:32]Uh, I don't think so.

[00:27:36]>> This is what happens.

[00:27:37]>> When you break the law, this is what happens.

[00:27:39]>> Yeah.

[00:27:41]Laughing is breaking the law. I'm getting pulled out of the car for laughing.

[00:27:44]>> at the park after hours is a city ordinance. So, yeah.

[00:27:57]And actually, I'll have to double check.

[00:27:59]I'm pretty sure that Supreme Court has ruled that you don't have the right to videotape us.

[00:28:05]>> Go ahead and check cuz I can videotape whatever I want. It's public It's public ground. This is public. I can do whatever I want.

[00:28:11]>> So, actually it's not open to the public right now. That's why we're here, right?

[00:28:15]>> It's Dude, you're not going to tell me I can't record right now. I I'm fearing I'm fearing for my life right now.

[00:28:21]>> life cuz we're out here being sued. I've seen I've seen I've seen thousands of people record this same thing cuz they're scared.

[00:28:27]>> Supreme Court and Supreme Court >> And if anything happens, this is my This is for my safety. That's all it is. Can you respect that?

[00:28:33]>> I don't I don't trust that. Go ahead and Yeah, don't worry about it.

[00:28:36]>> All right. The new generation, you got to love y'all.

[00:28:39]>> Love you, too.

[00:28:39]>> We're We're in for some doom in this world.

[00:28:41]>> Love you, too.

[00:28:43]>> Of every moment in this video, what happens here is the one that will make you stop and replay it. Because the trigger for everything that follows is not aggression, not resistance, not threatening behavior. It is a laugh. A nervous laugh from an 18-year-old in response to an officer reading a debit card to identify his girlfriend. And Sergeant Collins, a man with a badge, a uniform, and presumably years of law enforcement training, decides that laugh is enough to pull the passenger out of the car and threaten the girlfriend with a citation she does not legally owe.

[00:29:17]"Now that you think it's so funny, I'm fixing to give her a ticket for not having her ID on her. How about that?

[00:29:24]You think that's funny?"

[00:29:26]Read that again. A ticket, not for a law broken, not for a violation committed, but as punishment for the emotional reaction of someone else in the vehicle.

[00:29:35]That is not law enforcement. That is ego wearing a badge. The young man is pulled from the vehicle. He asks why. Collins says they don't need a reason. The young man invokes his right to film. Collins claims the Supreme Court has ruled against recording police. A statement so legally incorrect that it serves as its own evidence for everything being argued in this video. The Supreme Court has never ruled that citizens cannot record police in public. The opposite is true.

[00:30:04]The young woman is 17, shaking visibly on camera, and she is watching her boyfriend stand outside a car in the dark, surrounded by officers, for laughing. Because laughing made a sergeant feel disrespected. And in that moment, disrespect outweighed the Constitution.

[00:30:21]>> I really do love you. That's why I do the job I do.

[00:30:24]For people just like you.

[00:30:27]Because guess what? You go home, someone breaks in your house, you can call 911, regardless of what you think of me, I'm going to show up and I'm going to do whatever I can to protect you.

[00:30:35]Even though you're in fear of your life with us.

[00:30:37]>> This ain't being protectful at all. This is harassment. Very much harassment.

[00:30:42]Yeah, I don't know why I'm out of the car right now because I giggled and he got >> You're out of the car for your safety.

[00:30:46]>> His ego was extremely offended. This isn't I feel like if anything this is more unsafe.

[00:30:51]>> More unsafe for either of you?

[00:30:53]>> I'm just going to keep my back turned to you so you can't say you're >> Okay, that's fine.

[00:30:56]>> But yeah.

[00:30:58]He started screaming and cursing and getting >> Screaming and cursing? Who was screaming and cursing?

[00:31:02]>> He started yelling and cursing and getting very >> we're lying so we can post it on YouTube?

[00:31:06]>> getting so I have him on video.

[00:31:07]>> I have him on video, too.

[00:31:09]>> He was He literally >> and cussing and yelling at us.

[00:31:11]>> or cussing, dude.

[00:31:13]>> I could stop it and pull it up, but I'm not going to.

[00:31:15]>> Go ahead. Go ahead and post it on YouTube and I'll post ours right next to it.

[00:31:18]>> even I don't even need to post it on YouTube. I just want to protect myself right now.

[00:31:22]>> Okay.

[00:31:25]I protected you a lot and you don't even know that.

[00:31:27]>> I don't know you.

[00:31:29]>> Yeah, you don't have to know me.

[00:31:30]I went to Iraq to fight for people like you that are over here with people >> sir. I appreciate it. We're not doing Sorry, we were about to leave. We got ice cream and we came right back.

[00:31:38]>> And y'all would already been gone if you would have just been compliant.

[00:31:43]>> We were I get He asked for my ID. I asked him why and I pulled it out. She didn't have hers.

[00:31:47]>> Then you started becoming >> I giggled cuz I'm nervous.

[00:31:50]>> You were being rude.

[00:31:51]>> I'm sorry. I giggled out of nervousness.

[00:31:53]>> Out of nervousness you giggled.

[00:31:55]>> Do you not see my Do you not see my arm?

[00:31:57]Do you not see my arm shaking?

[00:31:58]>> No, I honestly I don't.

[00:32:02]>> Yes, ma'am. Thank you very much.

[00:32:04]How old is your girlfriend?

[00:32:05]>> 17, yes, sir.

[00:32:08]>> Uh your mom wants you to hit her home and call her as soon as possible.

[00:32:13]Okay?

[00:32:14]So, you're good to go.

[00:32:16]>> Okay.

[00:32:19]>> You didn't have your phone last time I dealt with you, did you?

[00:32:21]>> Uh you're a little more aggressive this time, so I'm going to pull it out.

[00:32:25]>> For his safety as he's getting >> Yeah, you got You're a You're pretty aggressive every time, so I just went ahead and did it this time.

[00:32:30]>> And that's why I had >> And the curse words and the spitting and yeah.

[00:32:33]>> You wasn't even last time I dealt with you.

[00:32:35]When you had the four girls there?

[00:32:38]Which you was in there?

[00:32:39]>> Yeah, she was. Yeah. It's my girlfriend.

[00:32:44]Yeah.

[00:32:44]>> Where you going to college for?

[00:32:46]>> Uh diesel mechanics.

[00:32:48]>> Diesel mechanics?

[00:32:49]>> Yes, sir.

[00:32:50]>> That's hard work.

[00:32:51]>> Yes, sir, it is. I'm a hard worker.

[00:32:53]>> That's good.

[00:32:53]>> I'm going to Oilfield next.

[00:32:54]>> Really?

[00:32:55]>> Yes, sir.

[00:32:56]>> Where at Oklahoma?

[00:32:57]>> Wisconsin with my father.

[00:32:58]>> Wisconsin?

[00:32:59]>> Yes, sir. I appreciate you not being rude anymore.

[00:33:01]>> I'm not being rude. I wasn't rude to begin with, man. It's just frustrating when people >> I agree.

[00:33:05]>> we're out here trying to do protect people and trying to help you trying to help anyone else and when people get this kind of attitude and start filming stuff cuz they're filmed for their lives, it's kind of demeaning to us cuz we're out here trying to help y'all.

[00:33:17]>> Oh, I just I've just been I've just been in a lot different situations.

[00:33:21]>> Sir, can you get your hand out of your pocket?

[00:33:22]>> Yes, sir. My hands are up.

[00:33:24]>> Here you go. Turn around.

[00:33:25]Here's your ID.

[00:33:26]>> Just go ahead and put it in my two fingers.

[00:33:28]>> Turn around.

[00:33:31]>> I'm scared.

[00:33:32]>> Just I don't >> Well, I mean, you could turn your phone I don't >> Can you just put it in my fingers?

[00:33:37]>> Okay. And now You know, you're trying to talk yourself into a citation.

[00:33:42]>> want to do any I'm just sitting here doing my thing. Just I just want to go.

[00:33:45]I'm I'm going on my way.

[00:33:46]>> to your car.

[00:33:47]>> Can I I have to I have my keys and my stuff in her car.

[00:33:50]>> I'm worried for her safety.

[00:33:53]So, we're going to let you get in your car.

[00:33:54]>> She feels safe around me, not you guys.

[00:33:57]Love you, too.

[00:34:04]>> That ain't very safe.

[00:34:05]Global >> Well, it's better than you guys thinking I'm going to do something.

[00:34:09]>> Okay, you have a good night.

[00:34:11]>> You, too.

[00:34:12]>> Drive safe.

[00:34:13]>> Yep.

[00:34:14]Always do with in Farmington.

[00:34:20]>> The officer completely abandoned the original reason for the stop and overreacted over nothing more than a laugh.

[00:34:26]Instead of assessing the situation, they pulled the passenger out of the car, threw around state law, and tried to turn an ID request into an obligation.

[00:34:36]And when they finally found a violation, they clung to a simple park after hours ordinance just to save face.

[00:34:43]>> And here, in the final segment of this video, the encounter between Sergeant Collins and these two teenagers reaches its most revealing and most uncomfortable moment. Because Collins, having run out of legal justifications, reaches for something else entirely. He reaches for a service record. I went to Iraq to fight for people like you.

[00:35:04]It is delivered as a closing argument, as a moral trump card designed to end the conversation by placing it on grounds where the young man cannot respond without appearing ungrateful. It is also completely irrelevant to whether pulling someone from a car for laughing is a lawful exercise of police authority. The young man's response, "This ain't being protective at all.

[00:35:26]It's just harassment." is the most accurate legal assessment of everything that happened from the moment Collins decided a nervous giggle warranted escalation. A park after hours ordinance is eventually cited. That is the legal basis Collins lands on, not dangerous behavior, not a threat, not a crime in progress, a local ordinance about park closing times applied to two teenagers who were about to leave, who provided ID when asked, who did nothing more than exist in a public space after dark in a way that someone found worth calling about. No drugs, no weapons, no violence, no crime beyond a closing time violation. And for that, they were surrounded, accused, pulled from a vehicle, lectured about Iraq, and released with a warning that amounted to be normal next time.

[00:36:16]Three encounters, six segments, and across every single one, the pattern is identical. Authority asserted without legal foundation, sustained through intimidation, and ultimately abandoned when it cannot survive the question.

[00:36:30]What law did I break?