Officer Ken Utter of the Danbury Police Department is currently being sued by SeanPaul Reyes, a YouTuber who was filming at the Danbury Public Library in June 2023. Reyes alleges that Utter and other officers violated his First and Fourth Amendment rights by detaining him and demanding to see his identification while he was filming in a public place.
The lawsuit alleges that Utter told Reyes that he would have been “dead” 20 years ago for filming in the library, and that Utter and other officers used excessive force against Reyes. The lawsuit also alleges that the officers failed to properly investigate Reyes’ complaint about Utter’s statement.
The Danbury Police Department has defended Utter’s actions, stating that he was acting within the bounds of the law. However, the department has acknowledged that Utter’s statement was “offensive” and that it is investigating the matter.
The lawsuit is still ongoing, and it is unclear how it will be resolved. However, the case has raised important questions about the rights of citizens to film police officers in public places.
In addition to the lawsuit, Officer Utter has been suspended for eight days without pay for his role in the incident. He has also been ordered to undergo remedial training.
The outcome of the lawsuit against Officer Utter could have implications for police departments across the country. If Reyes is successful, it could establish a precedent that protects the rights of citizens to film police officers in public places.
