On Jan. 13, 2010, I happened upon a felony drug arrest in the parking lot of Von Maur Department Store, located at Eden Prairie Center. I've since learned the arrest included Hennepin County Sheriff's Office undercover officers working in cooperation with the Eden Prairie Police.
When the action was over--with one suspect in a squad car and the remaining female suspect handcuffed and cooperative, I walked deliberately toward the scene--and took a photograph of EP Police Officer Chris Fietek frisking the suspect. No undercover officer was in the photograph.
The police officers expressed rage with me for taking the photograph and for approaching the scene of the arrest--despite the fact that no suspect remained at large.
Afterward, I wrote to the Eden Prairie Police complaining of the officers' unprofessional conduct.
In response, the EP Police provided me with Officer Chris Fietek's report, shown above.
On the positive side, Officer Fietek's report does not falsely suggest that she or any officer suspected me of breaking any law. Her report acknowledges that when I arrived on the scene, both suspects were in custody.
Officer Fietek doesn't mention, however, that the undercover HCSO officers verbally abused me, frisked me, detained me, took my camera and destroyed the single digital photograph in my possession.
Can you think of any reason Officer Fietek might have omitted this information from her report? (Perhaps she has an exceptionally bad memory?) Can you please have the undercover HCSO officers contact Officer Fietek and remind her of these key facts--of which they are completely aware?
My interaction with the officers occurred alongside an Eden Prairie Police squad car which had just participated in a felony arrest--with numerous other police vehicles, marked and unmarked, close by. Surely some audio and/or video recording of the entire event exists?
I'm quite confident that even an audio recording will make clear the truthfulness of my account--and reveal Officer Fietek's dishonesty.
On Jan. 30, 2010, I mailed an FOIA-type request to the Eden Prairie Police, asking that they provide me with unedited copies of any recordings they have of my interaction with them on Jan. 13, 2010. They have not yet responded to my request.
I want to make the same request of the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office--okay? (If you need me to mail you the form letter, please let me know and I will do so.) Please provide me with any recording[s] you have of my interaction with the officers, okay?
Very best wishes,
Gavin Sullivan
Eden Prairie
