CINCINNATI — A freelance journalist has initiated legal action against the city of Cincinnati and a police officer following an incident in which he was handcuffed after refusing to cease filming at the site of a fatal car accident.
Calvin Andrus, a seasoned journalist and videographer with nearly three decades of experience, stated that he was positioned behind police tape and capturing footage of the scene last November when an officer instructed him to leave. Andrus recounted his attempt to clarify the situation by explaining to the officer that he was there as a media representative and offered him a card that outlined the regulations permitting the recording of crime scenes.
Reports from WCPO-TV indicate that video evidence shows the officer initially claimed Andrus was outside the designated crime scene tape, later suggesting that the crime scene boundaries needed to be expanded.
Although police accused Andrus of obstructing official business, the prosecution dropped the charges in June. Subsequently, a lawsuit was filed on October 11, alleging false arrest and malicious prosecution against both the city and the involved officer. Andrus is requesting unspecified damages, claiming emotional distress, pain and suffering, along with medical expenses.
In his lawsuit, Andrus detailed the events leading to his arrest. He reported that the officer not only arrested him but also placed him in handcuffs and confined him in the back of a police cruiser. Andrus endured more than 30 minutes in the vehicle, during which he experienced a panic attack and chest pain, prompting his transport to a hospital for evaluation.