WITI Photojournalist Arrested While Filming Behind Police Tape

WITI photojournalist Clint Fillinger was arrested on Sunday night following a confrontation with a Milwaukee police officer who was trying to restrict Fillinger’s access to the scene of a house fire.

Fillinger was shooting video behind the yellow police tape, where a small group of people had gathered to watch.  He says that a Milwaukee police sergeant singled him out and ordered him to move back.

Video inside…

The below video shows the sergeant ordering Fillinger to move well beyond where members of the public were allowed to go.

“If the public is out here, I’m allowed to be out here,” Fillinger is heard saying in the video.

According to Fillinger, who is 68, the sergeant continued to bear down on him so he raised his hand in a defensive motion and touched the officer.  At which point, the officer knocked him to the ground, handcuffing and arresting him.

The veteran photojournalist was cited for resisting and obstructing a police officer.  WITI management has sent a letter to the Milwaukee Police Chief requesting that the citations be dropped.

The NPPA also sent a letter of complaint to the department, requesting that they “commence a full and impartial investigation of this incident and bring disciplinary action against these officers if necessary.”

According to WITI, the police department is currently reviewing the incident.

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