Perspective: Journalist Sues Hamilton Police

POLICE EXCESSIVE BEHAVIOUR

A Global News journalist  Jeremy Cohn who was arrested by Hamimton police
at a fatal accident scene in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada has sued for 1 million dollars. $700, 000 in damages for negligence, false arrest, false imprisonment, assault, battery, mental suffering, and breach of rights, as well as additional $200,000 in damages. Cohen was cuffed and arrested for 45 minutes. Later released without a charge.

The police officer Jeffrey Todoruck was trying to prevent him from videotaping an accident in 16,  2017 where a 10 year old girl was killed in a motor vehicle accident.

The lawsuit claims that Hamilton police Constable Jeremy Todoruck breached his duty by forcefully arresting a clearly identified journalist who was acting peacefully.

The Hamilton Police Service Board has been dragged into the civil suit for failing to property train their officer in appropriate media relations or for permitting a culture of disrespect.

Commentary

In Kingston Jamaica recently, acting Commissioner of Police Clifford Blake complained that journalists were not cooperating with officers at crime scenes especially accident scenes.

There seems to be this power play at crime scenes which is difficult to understand.  There is also a form of love hate relationship.  They want us (journalists) to help them solve crimes but we must stay in our corner when it suits their purposes.  We are trained not to contaminate or compromise the integrity of crime scenes. What do they have to hide or cover up? We never breach taped off areas where the police so cordon off.

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Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is a veteran journalist, senior International Correspondent & Photojournalist for Vision Newspaper Canada.