My name is Cameron Bybee, I'm new to these forums, but I feel a strong need to get this out.
On Saturday night, June 25th, 2011, I was charged with Disorderly Conduct for doing absolutely nothing by Officer Jeffrey Potter of the Cottonwood Heights Police Department.
I walked to the Target on 7025 S. Park Center Drive, in Salt Lake City, Utah, from my home in Midvale 30 minutes away, at approx. 9:50 PM to walk my fiancee home from work. I arrived at approx. 10:15 PM, I had my firearm (a 1911) on my hip in a holster, strapped down inside it with NO BULLET in the chamber and the hammer forward, in PLAIN SIGHT, as I always do at night when I walk my fiancee home from her night shifts. Upon arrival at Target, I walked to the cafe where she works and sat in my usual seat at the Starbucks Cafe inside the store, waiting for her. At exactly 10:26 PM, June 25th, 2011 (according to the ticket), three officers walked into the store and over to me, Officer Potter began to ask me some questions "hey, how are you this evening?" I looked up from my phone. "Eh, exhausted, but good." Potter gave a false smile to me. "Good, good. Are you armed?" I tilted my head slightly "yes, Sir, indeed I am." I knew what was going on. "Can you stand up slowly and turn so I can see it?" being as respectful as possible, I answered "Yes, sir" and did as they asked, figuring this would be a simple 'check-and-go'. one of the other officers (his name escapes me) took my firearm out of it's holster, checked it, set it on the table I was previously sitting at, and asked "do you have any Identification on you?" I nodded "yes, sir, in my wallet." I took my wallet out and handed them the ID, and put my wallet back. I realize this was a stupid idea, but I figured it would look better should things go awry. The officer (rather forcefully) turned me around and began to cuff me, informing me that I was being charged with Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct, didn't even read me my rights. I was removed from the store by the police officers, Officer Potter escorting me and doing nothing but cursing and personally insulting me the entire time (I think i saw a sailor blushing off by the Deli) while I tried to ask why I was being charged with Disorderly Conduct, and every time i tried to defend myself verbally, he said "Shut up and listen, you can't listen to me when you're talking.", things like that, basically making sure i could not speak. as we made it outside, I counted four police cars (two cruisers, two SUV's) and more cops than needed for something like this. Officer Potter stuffed into the police cruiser, almost hitting my head on the roof unintentionally, and sat there for what felt like hours. As Potter walked away towards the store, I could see my fiancee and three employees (all managers) sitting on a nearby bench as if waiting for me. She looked like she was about to break down into tears, i felt my heart sink and go "plop" right in my stomach. When he came back, he did some stuff on his computer. I saw a picture of me come up and i joked "Not a very flattering picture, eh?" he gave no response. Potter then called another officer in and asked for a cheat sheet, a list of all of Utah's penal codes and statutes. "Have you been drinking this evening?" He asked me, i shook my head slightly and responded "No, I have not." This is where concern kicked in, as that was met with a muttered "Dammit..." from Potter. I shook my head quickly and asked "What was that?" He chuckled lightly and said to me "Oh, only joking." Somehow, I doubted it. I don't think his boss will like it if I file the complaint and put what he said on it. more time passed, more questions asked, and finally, I think the killing blow to his career hit. he said, very clearly, "I f**king HATE Utah's laws!" before getting out of the car shortly after. I sat there as they went into the trunk to lock away my firearm, likely writing things down. "It's a...oh, it's a Citadel. F**king piece of sh*t Citadel." Potter began to mock my FIREARM now. I love my gun, and did not appreciate his constant insults towards me NOR my firearm. Finally, he closed the trunk and let me out, beginning another barrage of insults before un-cuffing me. My wrists were red as blood from the cuffs, my left index finger twitched like it was having a seizure. he looked at me and said something similar to "now, if you do anything stupid, try to run, sudden movements, we're going to beat the sh*t out of you, mace you, taze you, the works, you understand?" a direct THREAT to me. I respectfully nodded and responded "Well, yeah, I kinda figured that, I'm not THAT dumb." he rolled his eyes and said "Okay, now, Mr. Bybee..." and began to explain what I was being charged with and why, the charges making no sense, his explanation was "Causing a Disturbance". I asked him again WHY I was even being charged, and he responded with "f**king gun, f**king store." same story. I began to feel concern for my gun and began to ask for it back. "Now I'm not charging you because of the gun, but I AM taking it." I asked why i can't have it back, he responded "because I'm putting you in 'gun time out' okay?" Of course, some of the time, Officer Potter was much more coarse. he began to lecture me on what HE can do with a gun, as if i have never used a gun in my life, constantly citing his training as a police officer. the same quote running through my mind over and over, "You're a cop, I'M NOT!", but never exiting my mouth. I signed the ticket and they left without a second word, an empty holster on my belt, red, near bloody wrists, and a broken state of mind. We began our silent trek home, my mind a jumbled mess of How's and Why's.
Anyone ever had this problem with Cottonwood Heights police before? I've been OCing for close to a year now and NEVER had a problem until that day.
