VENICE, Calif. (KTLA) — An LAPD officer is under investigation after a YouTube video went viral showing him ticketing a bicyclist with little cause on a Venice Beach bike path.
The cyclist turned on his helmet camera and record the incident. The video was posted after Thanksgiving weekend.
The bicyclist, who identifies himself at 34-year-old Chris Jackson of Venice, tells the motorcycle officer that he is blocking the popular bike-only path.
They argue back and forth for several minutes about how Jackson didn’t break any laws by crossing the path’s dotted yellow line.
Jackson points out other cyclists riding on the wrong side, as well as people who are illegally walking on the bike path.
The officer then issues Jackson a ticket under California Vehicle Code 22350, the Basic Speed Law.
The officer says, “Listen to me, sir. The reason why I’m going to write you for unsafe speed is because you are arguing with me.”
The ticket was eventually dismissed and a spokesman for the LAPD now says the department is conducting a personnel investigation into the officer’s conduct.
61 Comments to “VIDEO: LAPD Officer Tickets Cyclist for “Arguing””
January 20, 2013 at 9:40 AM
Another incident of an a–hole LAPD cop harassing someone. Now we all need to wear a camera at all times to combat the unreasonable cops?
January 20, 2013 at 1:32 PM
If people stopped breaking the law, then cops would not be needed anymore, therefore, ANYONE who wants to be a cop WANTS law breakers to exist, therefore ANYONE who wants to be a cop is an advocate of law breakers, therefore, ANYONE who wants to be a cop should be put in prison.
2 + 2 = 4
Unfortunately, someone one day woke up and realized that you could profit from stupidity, thus, people started to defend stupidity, now the stupid rule the world.
January 20, 2013 at 11:06 PM
I'm surprised the cop didn't try to LIE and tell the bike rider that it was "illegal" to video tape the conversation. A Federal Court in New York just ruled that cops there can NOT arrest a person for using a video on cops in uniform.
January 20, 2013 at 9:46 AM
Out of all the things to get angry about, cops killing unarmed kids riding the light rail, pepper spraying protestors it's something like THIS that causes outrage? Really?
January 20, 2013 at 10:42 PM
It's because it's a reflection of an underlying attitude that very well may contribute, on a larger scale, the other issues that you so mentioned. Bob.
January 21, 2013 at 5:29 PM
It's a slippery slope.
January 20, 2013 at 10:03 AM
LAPD should stop hiring people who were bullied in high school.
January 20, 2013 at 10:14 AM
The guys in the cop uniforms are the same ahole bullies in HS. Now they get to wear a uniform and harass people for a living
January 20, 2013 at 10:33 AM
Thank god for video cameras!
January 20, 2013 at 3:35 PM
No, thank science!
January 20, 2013 at 6:25 PM
No, thank the first person to ever define the word "science".
January 20, 2013 at 6:26 PM
Actually no, thank the creator of the Big Bang Theory.
January 20, 2013 at 11:16 PM
IMPORTANT: Google the following story:
A Federal Court in New York State just ruled within the last few months that it is NOT illegal to videotape a cop in uniform. If a cop tries to tell you its illegal, let him arrest you and watch the sparks fly. The ACLU, which won the case back east, will be all over any arrest by dumbos with badges who continue to LIE that we cannot video tape them simply because they don't like it.
January 20, 2013 at 10:42 AM
Now that we know this officer has clearly lost perspective about what he is supposed to be doing, how about firing him and letting it be an example to his fellow thugs?
January 20, 2013 at 10:54 AM
this happens ALL the time. CHP whom are not real law enforcement do this all of the time
January 20, 2013 at 11:32 AM
Officer — the bicyclist should give YOU a ticket for being an a-hole.
January 20, 2013 at 11:38 AM
Wait a sec, the cop is being accused of writing a ticket for the violation of "arguing with him," i.e. making up a charge. I don't think so, he probably meant "I have the discretion to write you a ticket or not for what you did, because you are arguing with me I am going to write it." This is pretty much the situation in all traffic tickets, police have the discretion to ticket or warn and half the time they choose to write them for attitude.
January 20, 2013 at 10:46 PM
So, according to your reasoning, officers of the law do not in fact enforce the law, but rather some form of the law that they see fit upon their perception at the time?
January 20, 2013 at 11:58 AM
This was just crazy.
Google powered safe search engine that pays you for searching the net. Sign up at http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/Tryswagryan
January 20, 2013 at 12:03 PM
Screw you KTLA, the whole story is not here (as usual). And yes, the guy was prob being an A Hole, which tipped the scale from a warning to ticket.
January 20, 2013 at 10:47 PM
Screw you too, Shane.
January 20, 2013 at 12:13 PM
I'm so glad it was caught on tape! The LAPD and the LASD are so out of control and they get off on abusing their power.
January 20, 2013 at 12:25 PM
Good Stuff. Just hope they're not gonna ban helmet camera… kakakak
January 20, 2013 at 11:18 PM
A New York FEDERAL JUDGE just ruled recently that it is NOT illegal to video / audio tape a cop conversation in a lawsuit where the ACLU went to court because a crybaby cop was scared about being recorded and arrested someone.
YOU CAN RECORD COPS ON VIDEO AND AUDIO. DO IT. THE FEDERAL JUDGE RULED YOU CAN. ANY COP WHO MAKES AN ARREST ON THAT ISSUE WILL FIND HIMSELF UP AGAINST THE ACLU.
January 20, 2013 at 12:44 PM
If cops were all nice and sweet gangs would run this world. Don't do stupid ish and you have no reason to be messed with. There's always a reason.
January 20, 2013 at 10:49 PM
So, when did the ideology of public service escape your ideology? The police are public servants and it seems this one officer wants the public to serve him.
January 20, 2013 at 12:55 PM
If people stopped breaking the law, then cops would not be needed anymore, therefore, ANYONE who wants to be a cop WANTS law breakers to exist, therefore ANYONE who wants to be a cop is an advocate of law breakers, therefore, ANYONE who wants to be a cop should be put in prison.
2 + 2 = 4
Unfortunately, someone one day woke up and realized that you could profit from stupidity, thus, people started to defend stupidity, now the stupid rule the world.
January 20, 2013 at 1:15 PM
Sounded to me like like he was just giving him a warning till the rider decided to smart talk.
January 20, 2013 at 1:29 PM
Smart talk = illegal ?
Anti freedom of speech, are we ?
January 20, 2013 at 5:36 PM
Nice try in twisting my words around. How about cops just stop giving out warnings and just give tickets?
January 20, 2013 at 11:07 PM
"Talking smart" is NOT illegal, dumbo. Only low life public employees who worship that silly badge think that way. Stupid fool.
January 20, 2013 at 1:32 PM
If you think Philip`s story is unbelievable…, 3 weeks ago my aunt also made the small fortune of $5476 working fourty hours a month at home and they're friend's sister-in-law`s neighbour has done this for 9-months and brought home over $5476 part time On there laptop. apply the guide at this site… jump15.comCHECK IT OUT
January 20, 2013 at 2:33 PM
Any timed a cop messes with me I fight the ticket and file a Harassment complaint on him with his department.these complaints go in his file permanently .and eventually will get his corrupt butt of the streets if enough people complain.
January 20, 2013 at 3:12 PM
All the cop heaters and other societal malcontents are out of the woodwork on this one. The loud mouth punk gave the officer a lot of lip and the officer got a little sarcastic giving him his ticket.
January 20, 2013 at 6:18 PM
The officer is a homosexual just testing the homosexuality of other people.
The cop's mind :
" If you get a ticket and you don't complain, you are a homosexual. If you give me a lot of lip, then that means you want to be homosexual with me but you don't want to admit it, therefore I will give you a ticket. "
January 20, 2013 at 11:09 PM
"Cop haters" you say?
Oh, please tell us where we, the public, are required or even expected to admire thugs in uniform? You can't, dumbo. Cops are merely former truck drivers hired for muscle. There isn't anything to admire about that. Hence, your comment about "cop haters" is pathetic and stupid. Grow up.
January 20, 2013 at 3:39 PM
How incredible that it was caught on video. Seems like the only defense you have toward someone that is suppose to PROTECT AND SERVE the people. Sadly enough you must fear police and not be able to speak your mind or defend you rights. Any idiot parking a motorcycle on a bike trail should be fired. He is real "stupid".
January 20, 2013 at 6:37 PM
The person that was riding the bike was stopped for a reason and if cooperated with the law enforcement officer could have gotten off with a warning. That is why the officer said he was going to go ahead and write the ticket. I am ashamed of the news report because I know KTLA reps do know not to argue with a police officer and you might get off with a warning. I know there are times the police officers are guilty of violating rights but THIS TIME IS NOT ONE OF THEM. KTLA should be ashamed of the way they portraid this vidieo on the air
January 20, 2013 at 10:12 PM
KTLA is notorious for flawed reporting trying to make the officers out as bad guys. This whole incident is a big nothing. The traffic violator is just a big cry baby.
January 20, 2013 at 10:29 PM
Not necessarily has to be a reason, they have to cover a quota and they could say your outfit is ugly. And is not only LAPD is everywhere, Burbank police is also chasing bikes while Citibank is robed a block away from the police department .
January 20, 2013 at 7:46 PM
Obama's Fault
January 20, 2013 at 7:48 PM
What's a cop "heater"?
January 20, 2013 at 10:14 PM
Someone who doesn't like the cops, usually a criminal, societal malcontent, and/or liberals.
January 20, 2013 at 11:11 PM
A cop "heater" is something they use to keep their lazy, fat buttt warm on cold nights. Its something they learn, usually, while working as truck drivers prior to getting hired for government muscle.
January 21, 2013 at 1:04 AM
It's called 'coffee'.
January 20, 2013 at 9:29 PM
its all about generating revenue people. Crooked LAPD cops…
January 20, 2013 at 11:24 PM
Mitch:
Its not always about "revenue."
See my comment below about the San Diego cop just criminally convicted and sent to prison after a dozen female tourist women stepped forward to testify that he gave them a choice, " drunk in public arrest or allow him to finger them." Yep. A sexual predator with a badge.
Best part of the story? Google the video… the tough guy cop cries TEARS in court because HE was the one going to jail. After 18 years of harassing innocent people… HE goes to jail and he cried like a baby.
January 21, 2013 at 9:12 AM
The cop was a homosexual, he WANTED to get caught because he wanted to "prove" to the world that he wasn't a homosexual. He thinks that because he's being put in jail, people are NOT advocates of homosexuality, THAT'S why he's crying.
January 20, 2013 at 10:27 PM
How come all of these moron 'motor' cops have mustaches?
January 20, 2013 at 10:47 PM
While I feel that the majority of cops are flatout scumbags, this idiot on the bike was running his mouth and was asking for the ticket as opposed to a warning.
January 20, 2013 at 11:13 PM
"running his mouth" is not illegal, dumbo.
Only fools think that cops should be able to penalize the public for verbally challenging them. Who are they, anyway? Nothing but former truck drivers hired as government muscle. Nothing to admire about that.
Most importantly, always use a video cam on every cop confrontation you find yourself in. A federal judge in New York just ruled that it is LEGAL to videotape and audio tape cops on the job because the cops back there were sniveling that it "wasn't fair" which simply meant they were scared about being caught like this cop did on video.
January 21, 2013 at 9:15 AM
ScottyBoy = A homosexual
He's anti freedom of speech because he doesn't want other people to spread the word about his homosexuality.
January 20, 2013 at 11:21 PM
I just watched a documentary on a cop in San Diego, downtown, was was just convicted of multiple sexual molestations and sent to prison. Know why? He targeted drunk female tourists, told them they could avoid jail if they "cooperated," and then sexually molested them. It took 12 different victims to step forward before the criminal cops buddies made any effort to arrest him. THAT is what cops are all about. "DO AS I SAY… or I will use the law to harass you."
January 20, 2013 at 11:38 PM
This is just harassment by the cop. It's a big pain to have to go to court to fight a ticket and in L.A., expect to pay fees upfront for the privilege of fighting a ticket. I hope the cop is squirming over this.
January 21, 2013 at 7:10 AM
As a merchant in the Studio City area for the past 12 years, I've never had a truely bad experience with any law enforcement. Was I happy with their responses to a break-in or a shop lifting, not so much. That being said when you deal with roughly 12,000 sworn officers and support staff we may likely have an experience such as this. We are lucky that that exchange was caught on video. Hopefully, this video will result in an appropriate punishment, whatever it may be.
These people are first and foremost human, which subjects them to the same emotions, successes and failures as the rest of us. What sets them apart is that on a daily basis they face dangers that puts their lives on the line. Many times they see what the worst of humanity has to offer. This is bound to affect their demeanor. Who knows, maybe this cop was having a bad day like we all have, he exercised extremely poor judgement, he got caught now lets see what happens.
By and large I think most cops are good people.
January 21, 2013 at 9:02 AM
I bet there is a lot more to this story than what you read here.
Me? Hah! I am glad the cop gave this bicycle nut a ticket. Most bicycle riders I come across are arrogant, rude, and hog the road.
The 'intitiled bunch'.
My hope is that some day all cyclists are required to have a license and registration to ride the same road with vehicles.
January 21, 2013 at 9:04 AM
The guy on the bike got what he deserved you act like an idiot then get ready to accept the consequences…….you ever hear of picking and choosing your battles? Never argue with a cop no matter what you will never win, just move on or fight it in court.
January 21, 2013 at 10:09 AM
California is a police state.
January 21, 2013 at 10:50 AM
Really? A majority? And you get this from where? You meet 5 cops and that's a majority? Out the the times you've come in contact with cops, how many we're things you brought upon yourself? Were you mellow or a jacka**? How do you respond to people who talk to you like an assh***? Are you Mr. Cool and objective when people talk crap to you doing your job?
Yep cops are held to a higher standard, for sure, but you will not catch a break with any if you are an idiot. And if you don't get a break, then you judge everyone else and not yourself and complain. Why me- you all suck and I'm a victim. Look in the mirror be honest and then decide if you have any guts to realize where the scumbag really resides.
January 21, 2013 at 7:14 PM
It probably makes more sense if you watch the full video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXI7170ahNI
The officer was blocking the bike path, so the cyclist went around him, and was ticketed for the offense. The officer is creating a more dangerous situation than is necessary by blocking traffic in the first place. Police are often helpful in preventing crime, but sometimes they don't seem to have any sense of why they are employed. The officer was wasting our time and money in having an oversized vehicle in the area (downtown L.A. is patrolled by many officers on bicycles, so why not Venice?) and harassing a man who was posing no danger to others around him.
Yes he could have gotten out of a ticket by kissing up to the officer instead of arguing. Should he have had to?