BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — In the latest issue for Florida Atlantic University's Police Department, a police officer has been captured on videotape verbally assaulting a reporter and a cameraman attempting to videotape a publicly advertised presentation by Pro-Palestinan Josh Ruebner.
The camera crew, from self-proclaimed anti-Islam and anti-Obama group “TrentoVision,” was apparently not causing a disturbance at the time of the altercation. While TrentoVision's “mission statement” may be considered controversial, the group has a sizable following for its UStream television program, a radio program, and on FaceBook. The group claims it had permission to be on campus.
However, FAU says that the crew's presence violated school policy. Spokeswoman Lisa Metcalf points to the school's rules — and reiterates that visitors were welcome, but not with recording devices:
Florida Atlantic University Regulation 7.006 states that “Non-University persons are allowed to use the common areas of the University during normal business hours and are allowed to attend lectures, plays and other activities on the University campus in the designated buildings or areas when such attendance is permitted by the sponsoring organization. Non-University persons are permitted in non-common areas of the University, including offices and administrative areas only when invited or on authorized University business. Non-University persons are not allowed on University property except as authorized by this regulation.”According to FAU’s Media Relations policies, media is welcome to its campuses, centers and other locations. However, “permission is needed to conduct interviews, film or photograph inside campus buildings, residence halls, classrooms or other restricted areas.” Members of the press are encouraged to contact the Department of Media Relations at FAU at 561-297-3020 prior to arriving at FAU to discuss this.Consistent with these policies, prior permission must be obtained in order for the SJP event to be filmed. For the SJP event last night and last week, the sponsoring organization requested that no attendees videotape and/or photograph the guest lecturers they were hosting in the Student Union.
The FAU Police Department is currently under investigation by the Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office — a routine measure — following the shooting of a homeless man on a campus roof last week. The man, police say, was armed with a six inch “Gerber” knife which was, police say, recovered at the scene. One officer attempted to subdue the suspect with a Taser while the other opened fire, hitting the man twice.
