A longtime reporter for GuelphToday was detained by police on Wednesday while he was taking photos of a fatal crash at the intersection of the Hanlon Expressway and College Avenue.
Richard Vivian, a Senior Reporter and Assistant Editor says there was nothing obstructing the sidewalk at the intersection and was open to pedestrians when he began to take photos.
Vivian says there was nothing out of the ordinary at this crash which would make police detain him.
“The sidewalk was free and clear, no tape, no pylons, no obstructions. In fact there was pedestrians walking through on the sidewalk that seemed cleared and good to go and that’s how I approached the scene. I was on the sidewalk, lifted my camera and within a couple of seconds an officer was yelling at me and detained me.” said Vivian.
Vivian had his camera seized by police and while it was given back, the SD card was kept to be used as evidence in the investigation.
It’s not known as to how news reporting can be used to assist with investigation.
Vivian says this absolutely is an overreach by police.
“I see 0 connection between my photos and the investigation they were conducting. I was back far out their way, I wasn’t obstructing. I can’t see how I hindered their investigation or how my photos are relevant to their investigation in anyway.
Vivian adds there was pedestrians in the area with their cellphones out at the time.
A statement by the OPP says they are reviewing the circumstances of the interaction adding they respect freedom of the press and values its relationships with the media.
Statement regarding incident at fatal collision near Guelph. pic.twitter.com/whqmwyYCbB
— Ontario Provincial Police (@OPP_News) December 20, 2023
Vivian says they are looking at filing complaints and get their concerns addressed but does not expect the incident to interfere with his work or relationship with police.
