Reason.com - Free Minds and Free Markets
Reason logo Reason logo
  • Latest
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Subscribe
    • Crossword
  • Video
    • Reason TV
    • The Reason Roundtable
    • Just Asking Questions
    • Free Media
    • The Reason Interview
  • Podcasts
    • All Shows
    • The Reason Roundtable
    • The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
    • The Soho Forum Debates
    • Just Asking Questions
  • Volokh
  • Newsletters
  • Donate
    • Donate Online
    • Donate Crypto
    • Ways To Give To Reason Foundation
    • Torchbearer Society
    • Planned Giving
  • Subscribe
    • Reason Plus Subscription
    • Gift Subscriptions
    • Print Subscription
    • Subscriber Support

Login Form

Create new account
Forgot password

Indiana

One Officer Asked Her To Record a Crash Scene With Her Phone. Another Officer Arrested Her for It.

Demetria Brown was handcuffed for helping police.

Zuri Davis | 3.1.2019 5:15 PM

Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL
Media Contact & Reprint Requests
|||Screenshot via Facebook/Asia Miller
Screenshot via Facebook/Asia Miller

Cameras are a great equalizer when civilians encounter law enforcement officers. One Indianapolis woman recently learned how cameras can also make you a target.

According to WTHR, Demetria Brown was stopped near the a scene of a crash when an officer asked if she had a phone. After confirming that she did, the officer asked if she could record the scene for him. Brown made sure to get his name and other relevant information in the process.

As she was assisting the first officer, a second officer approached her and demanded that she stop recording. Brown attempted to explain the situation to the officer, but was placed in handcuffs. Another person was able to take the phone and show Brown being arrested.

At one point in the video, the arresting officer discusses his actions with another officer off-screen. After realizing that Brown was in fact abiding by the wishes of the first officer, the second officer uncuffs her and lets her leave.

A video of the incident was posted on Facebook.

Prior to the incident, the Indianapolis Police Department announced a series of listening sessions aimed at garnering feedback on a proposed body camera program. The department has invited residents in all districts to participate. Perhaps they should hold a session to educate officers on the right to record.

Start your day with Reason. Get a daily brief of the most important stories and trends every weekday morning when you subscribe to Reason Roundup.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

NEXT: Bipartisan Bill Would Stop States From Denying Occupational Licenses Due to Student Loan Debt

Zuri Davis was an assistant editor at Reason.

IndianaIndianapolisPoliceCameras
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL
Media Contact & Reprint Requests

Show Comments (31)

Latest

The Constitution Does Not Allow the President To Unilaterally Blow Suspected Drug Smugglers to Smithereens

Rand Paul | 10.8.2025 5:54 PM

States Are Banning Retail Sales of Dogs and Cats. It's Doing More Harm Than Good.

John Stossel | 10.8.2025 2:50 PM

Supreme Court Declines To Address Section 230 in Two Cases for This Term

Joe Lancaster | 10.8.2025 2:30 PM

Trump Calls for Arrest of Chicago Mayor and Illinois Gov. Pritzker

C.J. Ciaramella | 10.8.2025 1:15 PM

Trump's Labor Department Admits That Trump's Immigration Crackdown Is Causing a Shortage of Farm Workers

Eric Boehm | 10.8.2025 1:00 PM

Recommended

  • About
  • Browse Topics
  • Events
  • Staff
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Media
  • Shop
  • Amazon
Reason Facebook@reason on XReason InstagramReason TikTokReason YoutubeApple PodcastsReason on FlipboardReason RSS

© 2025 Reason Foundation | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Take Reason's short survey for a chance to win $300
Take Reason's short survey for a chance to win $300
Take Reason's short survey for a chance to win $300