Caught on tape: Vegas cop beats videographer

A Las Vegas police officer is in hot water after being caught on tape beating a videographer outside of his home in March.

A police department review found that Officer Derek Colling violated police policies when he used "excessive force" on Mitchell Crooks, reports the Las Vegas Review Journal.

According to the newspaper, the incident occurred on the night of March 20, when the 36-year-old Crooks was in his driveway videotaping police as they investigated a burglary report across the street. Crooks said that when he refused to stop filming, Colling arrested and beat him, with much of the altercation recorded by the camera.

In the video, Crooks can be heard yelling in pain while Colling can be heard telling him to "shut up" and telling him his decision not to turn off the camera put him in "a world of hurt."

Colling has been on paid suspension since April 1 and could be fired pending the outcome of a review by the officer's supervisors, the newspaper reported.

Earlier this week, the Internal Affairs Bureau notified Crooks that Colling was found to have violated Las Vegas police policy - a development which pleased Crooks.

"It seems like they're saying he was guilty, which is what I've been saying," Crooks told the newspaper. "I really hope he gets fired."

In the meantime, Crooks' lawyer, David Otto, said he intends to sue Colling and the police department, the newspaper reported.

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by freechoice4all August 4, 2011 5:54 PM EDT: This happens a thousand times a year in the US but isn't video taped! Police think they have the right to do whatever they want without fear of prosecution, even when caught on tape they continue to deny any wrongdoing and say the suspect "resisted".

Look at the guy in the news today from San Fransico beaten to death by 6 cops. How can 6 cops (with their training to take down an individual alone) not subdue an individual without beating them to death?

America's police are corrupt and it is time to hold them accountable for their actions!; Reply to this comment


by ihatescams August 4, 2011 4:17 PM EDT: as a footnote - i had a friend many years ago who was a police officer on a large metropolitan force for 13 years. 12 of those years he was on the violence prone list, his first year he was probationary.

he had a case where a mugger robbed an elderly lady and knocked her down which resulted in a broken hip. he apprehended the perp, went to court and unfortunately the woman could not testify because she was in the hospital.

the officer found the guy, took him into an alley and knee capped him with his night stick. a little street justice with no cameras or witnesses.

he had to leave the force due to an injury received while on duty.

take it or leave it for what it is worth...; Reply to this comment


by ihatescams August 4, 2011 4:08 PM EDT: you have got to be kidding me... let me see, protect and serve. you cannot legally video police actions in your area of residence. what was this idiot cop's problem? was there something to hide? or did he need to keep up practice with taking people down?

and as a damage control (panic control) response sue your accusers and those whose jobs it is to investigate any alleged wrong doings.

give me a break... my friends in law enforcement cringe at this type of criminal behavior. a normal civilian would have been locked up for assault. a police office is being accused of misconduct. hmmmmmmm... double standards?

good bye officer - you are heading for an early retirement to the relief of the general public put in jeopardy by you.; Reply to this comment


by dlubak007 August 4, 2011 9:48 AM EDT: As a police officer/criminal investigator, this officer should be charged with criminal charges and violation of the victims rights, What is this country comming to? A POLICE STATE WITH NO RIGHTS !!!; Reply to this comment


by lucifersshadow August 4, 2011 12:01 AM EDT: This is not uncommon . . . it is just uncommon that it was caught on video, the cop was extremely stupid.
By the way, even if he was not the home owner, it does not necessarily mean that he was trespassing. It could have been a friends house, and even if not, in order for the trespassing charge to stick, the homeowner would have to press charges.; Reply to this comment


by qrranger August 3, 2011 3:36 PM EDT: To serve and PROTECT! Obviously this SOB of a rogue police officer forgot what his duty was! That cop was out of line! It is law that the photographer had every right to film/photograph any event occurring on public property and it is not the right of a rogue police officer to deliberately interfere and assault him/her. I hope this photographer wins his case and the officer is fired!; Reply to this comment


by anonfromed August 3, 2011 3:04 PM EDT: "Colling has been on paid suspension since April 1 and could be fired pending the outcome of a review by the officer's supervisors, the newspaper reported."

Video taping from his own property, and the cops are only taking about firing him? This is video of a crime, and the officer is the felon. What sort of lunacy is this from the Vegas PD? If you are on the police force, you cannot be a criminal?

Of course, video taping in public is legal, and indeed, protected via the Bill of Rights. It's also a hedge against police misconduct. This officer is a criminal, and he is still on the force. Those that support this officer necessarily hate America, the Constitution and everything it stands for.; Reply to this comment

by bikeboat August 3, 2011 1:57 PM EDT

I don't know, I think this camera guy is partly at fault. First he initially lied to the cop and told him he didn't live there, then he screams and cries like a little kid. Its almost like he was trying to set the cop up. On the other hand if the cop has a previous history of being exessively violent then perhaps he should be prosecuted and the guys suit allowed but if this is the first incident for the cop then I think the whole thing should be dropped. The camera guy is definitely a *****.

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by chihhsing August 3, 2011 2:38 PM EDT: He did not lie to the cop. When the cop asked if he lived there, the cop was across the street at another house and the presumption was that the question referred to that house. When the cop crossed the street, the victim said he lived at that address facing the other house. The issue is not whether the victim sounds like a sissy when he is being assaulted. The issue is that the cop assaulted him and beat him to the ground for exercising his rights in front of his own house.


by netjunkie1 August 3, 2011 4:54 PM EDT: It really didn't matter if he lived there or not, the officer also said he was arresting him on "tresspassing and interfering with an investigation."...both of which obviously were lies from what we see on video. This officer needs to go away for along time...maybe back to Iraq.


by DerpDerpDerpityDerp August 3, 2011 1:38 PM EDT: Wow, that cop is a D-Bag.; Reply to this comment


by 1VNVet August 2, 2011 8:25 PM EDT: UPDATE: The district attorney's office dropped the charges against Crooks and they returned his camera without deleting his footage.

Now Las Vegas police have enough evidence and are going to investigate Colling, who already has a violent history.

Crooks is suing the Department for $500,000 in damages and with this video will probably win without trying.; Reply to this comment