Bodycam shows Escambia deputy arguing with man filming in roadway
By: -----
Escambia County, FL - The Escambia County Sheriff's Office says a deputy "has been placed on an administrative assignment and an internal review is currently underway" following an interaction last week with a citizen.
The sheriff's office released bodycam video of the interaction on Wednesday. It took place last Friday afternoon on McLean Avenue near the Islamic Center of Northwest Florida.
In the video, the deputy and a man get into a verbal argument as the man is filming in the roadway. The interactions last for nearly eight minutes. No arrests were made.
The sheriff's office says the interaction involving the deputy "did not meet the standards we expect or the standards our community deserves."
"We take this matter seriously," the sheriff's office says in a statement. "The actions of our personnel must always reflect our core values of Courtesy, Integrity, and Professionalism. That standard was not met in this instance. The deputy has been placed on an administrative assignment and an internal review is currently underway. We are committed to transparency and accountability, and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings. We appreciate the public’s trust and remain committed to serving our community with the professionalism and respect it deserves."
The sheriff's office says the man was taking place in a nationwide trend.
"Nationwide there is an ongoing trend where individuals calling themselves 'auditors' go into public places (police stations, sidewalks, government buildings, public meetings, etc.) and record video to test whether first amendment rights are respected," deputies say. "While the 'auditor' in this case appears to have desired a controversial interaction, we expect a higher level of professionalism from our employees at all times."
No further details have been released.