What's the Crime? Where's the Reasonable Suspicion?

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Surveillance CAN work both ways and that's good.

In fact, sometimes Surveillance can be used against the Surveillor, as it seems to have been in this case.

Two Fort Meyers Police Officers responded a local 7-Eleven at 12:39 p.m. on April 15th, 2018, in response to a disorderly, intoxicated male, where they encountered Holley Jones who was shopping in the store. (https://amp-news--press-com.cdn.ampproject.org/…/2972065002…). Holley appeared neither drunk, nor disorderly.

No reference was made to Jones being that person prior to their contact with him. Moreover, when the Officers asked the store cashier if she wanted Mr. Holley removed, she answered, "No."

Despite that, the Officers asked to speak with Jones outside, a request to which he initially complied, but he apparently became suspicious of the Officer's intent when they demanded he stand in front of the bumper of their Police car, at which point, he re-entered the store, with the two Officers in pursuit.

At this point, Mr. Jones was NOT under arrest. He'd committed no crime, nor did there appear to be any reasonable suspicion on the Officer's part, as Holley Jones DID NOT appear to be neither drunk, nor, in any way disorderly.

Once back inside the store, one of the Officers tased Mr. Holley and he was arrested on disturbing the peace, resisting arrest without violence and possession charges, which were all subsequently dropped.

A court has already ruled that the use of the taser was unnecessary and the arrest improper.

Mr. Jones is suing Fort Meyers and the two Officers for excessive force, wrongful arrest and malicious prosecution.

Sometimes Police make mistakes. Sometimes they act improperly, but that job is like that of a Surgeon's - there are no "Whoops!" You can't make errors when making life and death decisions.

This is also proof as to why AVOIDING any confrontation with Police is ALWAYS best. Once an individual confronts a cop, that confrontation easily escalates and once a civilian physically fights with a cop...they're in the wrong.

Had Holley Jones sought to fight with the Police, he'd have lost all legal standing in this incident.

Surveillance CAN cut both ways and if increased surveillance keeps more people on their "best behavior," that's a good thing all around.