An Atlanta man claims he was arrested for catching an on-duty officer chatting on Facebook.
Chandler Brown told Channel 2 Action News reporter Erin Coleman that he has since filed a formal complaint with the Atlanta Police Department and the mayor's office.
Coleman obtained a copy of that complaint, which makes startling accusations about the officer allegedly chatting on Facebook when he was on the job.
“It was Thanksgiving night … my friend called me and said, ‘I’ve been in an accident,’” said Brown.
Brown said he immediately hailed a cab and went to the scene on Interstate 85 near Cheshire Bridge Road.
Brown said his friend wanted to leave, and as they pulled off, they were stopped by police because she couldn’t leave the scene of an accident. So they were put in the back of an Atlanta police car, and that’s when Brown said he noticed something.
“The police officer was chatting on Facebook,” said Brown. “I think that’s wrong.”
So Brown took out his cell phone and took a picture. That’s when he claims the officer arrested him.
“Pulled me out of the car, grabbed my phone, and I said I don’t think I’m breaking the law here … I’m not under arrest,” said Brown.
Brown said the officer then said “Well, you’re under arrest now.”
Brown said the officer handcuffed him, took the phone and hauled him off to jail.
Brown claims he was never read his rights and the officer wouldn’t give him his name. As for that picture, Brown said when officers returned his phone, the picture was gone.
Brown was charged with giving false information to an officer, even though he wasn't involved in the accident.
Brown went to court last week.
“The judge said, ‘There’s no evidence here, this is a joke and threw it out,” said Brown.
That’s why now, Brown has filed a formal complaint and hopes to shed light on what he calls a misuse of time and taxpayer money.
“I can’t sit on Facebook at work all day and neither can you. Why should someone whose salary is being paid by the taxpayers,” he said.
No one from the Atlanta Police Department would talk to Channel 2 on camera. They did tell us they've forwarded the complaint on to the division of professional standards and are looking into it.
Late Thursday, we learned that Brown, a former Channel 2 employee, got a call from police saying they are taking his complaint seriously.
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