Metro

Woman falsely arrested after filming cops help homeless man: suit

A Manhattan woman ​is suing the NYPD, saying​ her First Amendment rights were violated when she was arrested for filming cops ​helping a homeless person on the Upper West Side.

Debra Goodman, 53, claims she was using her iPhone to record police and EMS activity from about 10 feet away in September 2013 but was arrested “without reason or probable cause.”

“She was not obstructing or interfering with the police officers or EMS personnel,” according to the suit, filed in Manhattan Federal Court.

It is unconstitutional for NYPD cops to arrest bystanders for recording them if they aren’t interfering with police actions, according to the department’s patrol guide.

Goodman said she regularly records NYPD activity from a safe distance.

“It fosters accountability and I do think it lessens police misconduct,” said Goodman. “When police know they’re being filmed, they’re likely to be on their best behavior and that’s exactly what we want.”

Criminal charges against her, including obstruction of government administration, disorderly conduct, harassment and resisting arrest, were dropped in May.

Goodman, who had undergone surgery for breast cancer prior to her arrest, also claims cops roughed her up that day, slamming her into a police car and throwing shackles on her ankles when they transported her to a hospital so she could receive her prescribed medication.

A lawyer for the city said it hasn’t yet seen the case.

“The NYPD’s policy is clear. Bystanders are allowed to film police officers as long as they’re not interfering with the officers’ duties and/or police operations. People are also allowed to film public officials with the same principles in mind,” said Muriel Goode-Trufant.