[Leica] Police arrest of photographer

[lrzeitlin at gmail.com (Lawrence Zeitlin)]

In case any of you were wondering what happened to news photographer Phil
Datz, arrested on a public street for filming a police arrest, here is the
follow up story from the Long Island Press:

- - - - -

Bowing to pressure from the Press Club of Long
Island<http://www.pcli.org/2011/08/pcli-response-to-arrest-of-journalist/>
and
other media organizations, the Suffolk County Police Department has decided
to drop its charges against photojournalist *Phil
Datz<http://www.mediabistro.com/Phil-Datz-profile.html>
*.

Datz was 
arrested<http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/photojournalist-arrested-for-filming-police_b16743>
on
Friday evening as he attempted to film the conclusion of a police chase on
Long Island. Despite his apparent efforts (documented in a
video<http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/photojournalist-arrested-for-filming-police_b16743>
uploaded
to YouTube) to follow protocol in filming the police arrest a group of
suspects, Datz was taken into police custody and charged with obstruction of
governmental administration.

Suffolk County Police Commissioner *Richard Dormer* said in a statement on
Monday that he is working to have the arrest nullified. He also stated that
an internal review is underway and all officers will receive remedial media
relations training.

?The police department believes in keeping an open line of communication
with the media,? Dormer said, ?and we will be reviewing the department?s
policy concerning involvement with the news media.? [Via *Long Island
Press*<http://www.longislandpress.com/2011/08/01/suffolk-cops-to-drop-charge-against-news-cameraman/>
]