Cop Installs Camera in Maryland High School Boys Bathroom

Earlier today I wrote about cops ordering nightclubs to put video cameras in their businesses and supply footage on demand to cops. In Maryland, one bold officer has taken cameras into his own hands--in a high school boys bathroom.

From CBS Baltimore:

A student at Glen Burnie High School finds a camera in the boy's bathroom….The camera was installed without permission by a 14-year veteran with the Anne Arundel County Police Department. What was on the camera and why he installed it remains under investigation…..

Police say the discovered device is a standard sized hand-held camera left in plain sight. Wednesday morning, a male student saw it in the top corner of the restroom, found it suspicious and reported it to school administrators.

"We do not know that the officer's intentions were," said Lt. T.J. Smith, Anne Arundel County Police. "That's an important issue that we're trying to get to the bottom of."

A police investigation revealed a 14-year veteran assigned with the Special Services Bureau purchased and installed the camera on his own without the knowledge of the police department or school officials…

The police officer under investigation has been placed on routine paid administrative leave.

The police are our friends. Our very, very intimate friends.

Reason stories that mention "administrative leave."

Comments

[Fist of Etiquette]

"We do not know that the officer's intentions were," said Lt. T.J. Smith, Anne Arundel County Police. "That's an important issue that we're trying to get to the bottom of."

Suddenly intent comes into play.

[R C Dean]

And, of course, he gets every benefit of the doubt.

"There could have been a good reason for him to put secret video cameras in there. Let's not assume that somebody put secret video cameras into a boy's bathroom for invidious purposes."

If only they gave this kind of benefit of the doubt to "civilians."

[Aresen]

The police officer under investigation has been placed on routine paid administrative leave

So now he can watch videos of young boys at home while on full pay.

[John Galt]

Talk about performing above and beyond the call of duty.

[The Late P Brooks]

Teenage smoking is an horrific crime against society! This man deserves a medal.

[Aresen]

My guess is that the cop was more interested in whether the boys were "hot" than in whether they were using cigarettes.

[sarcasmic]

Hat tip to sloopy?

[Paul.]

The hat tip system around here has gone to hell since Cavanaugh left...

[The Late P Brooks]

My guess is that the cop was more interested in whether the boys were "hot" than in whether they were using cigarettes.

True or not, I would bet a fresh warm Krispy Kreme donut that's the defense he'll use.

And, of course, "How was my client supposed to know a warrant was required in a public school?"

[PRX]

let's wait until the facts are in.

Officer Sandusky may have had a good reason.

[Loki]

And I'm sure commisioner Paterno will waste no time getting to the bottom of it...

[MasterDarque]

No doubt he felt laws are for the common man and he has every right to view dicks without permission - As an added bonus he can now view them at home while being paid

[sloopyinca]

The biggest issue here is this: "Police are not naming the accused officer and say no images have been found on the camera as of yet."

They regularly shame "civilians" that are merely accused of wrongdoing, often well before they are charged. This asshole gets the protection of the thick blue wall of silence because he's a fucking cop.

And don't fucking tell me that "no images have been found on the camera as of yet" and expect me not to laugh. You plug it in and you press play. Voila! The images appear.

This is the biggest whitewash I've seen in hours. And whatever bullshit excuse he, his captain and his union lawyers collectively come up with, you can bet your ass it'll be good enough for the DA. But God forbid a parent do the same thing because his son was getting bullied in that particular bathroom. That guy would have already had his house ransacked and his electronics confiscated.

[Aresen]

"This is the biggest whitewash I've seen in hours."

ISWYDT

[sloopyinca]

Awesome video posted on PoliceOne. Yeah, the cop seems to keep his cool...as he badgers the shit out of people in an attempt to make them do something they're not required to do.

As usual, the commentators think this guy is the greatest.

[Aresen]

On re-reading, I just noticed this bit:

A student at Glen Burnie High School finds a camera in the boy's bathroom...

I really hope* that the school authorities kept this kid's name from the cops. If the cops know who he is, he is going to be in for shit.

*I am afraid that there is really very little hope that they did. And even if they did, his image is probably on the camera.

[Harvard]

Dunphy utilizes these as smokers when the shift is over and the card games begin.

[Willfiredog]

I hope they seized the officers personal computer before they put him on a paid time out.