Quoted Text

Troy resident says he was beaten by cop
Published: Wednesday, June 27, 2012

TROY — What started as a Facebook dispute spilled into real life as city resident and freelance photographer Brian Houle claims he was beaten by a Troy police officer early Tuesday morning over the argument.

Houle, who was arrested by police for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, claims the incident was actually instigated by Troy Police Officer Kyle Jones, who disagreed with how Houle administered a Facebook page less than 36 hours before.

Houle had taken to Facebook to tell people about how he put out a fire in a car that had driven into the home at 2 Stow Ave. on June 22. In the statement, the post said, “Brian L. Houle stated that being a hero is something he has never done but now he can cross it off of his bucket list.”

Jones called him out in the comment section, claiming it was merely steam coming from the radiator and that he was no hero. A back and forth discussion ensued between the two on the post, leading to a phone call from Jones. The two talked for nearly 40 minutes about whether Houle should be considered a hero, whether the car was actually on fire, and how both men were upset with what was said on Facebook.

Houle says he was describing the debate between him and Jones to his neighbors outside of his house on First Street Tuesday at about 1 a.m. when he saw a police car driving up the south bound lane before pulling over to his vehicle parked on the other side of the street.

Houle said he then came over to approach the officer he thought was inspecting his car, which is labeled as a Hoosick Animal Rescue vehicle, and yelled out, “Kyle, this is how it’s going to be?” According to Houle, Jones then drove the car two parking spaces ahead and almost hit him.

However, the police report tells a different story, saying Houle tried to obstruct Jones’ car, claiming Houle caused Jones to have to “brake and steer his patrol vehicle to avoid striking the defendant.”

Jones had indicated during their phone conversation, which was obtained by The Record, that Houle had gotten preferential treatment by police at some fire and crime scenes and how he noticed Houle’s vehicle didn’t fit the New York state rules and regulations without citing any specifics. Houle denies these claims......Read More http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/2012/06/27/news/doc4fea9d8d2e8e0242933962.txt

Quoted Text

...reports also reveal a sometimes uneasy partnership with law enforcement agencies, with the carriers frequently rejecting demands that they considered legally questionable or unjustified. At least one carrier even referred some inappropriate requests to the F.B.I. ...