Controversial Group Photo with Recaptured Murderer Draws Criticism for Law Enforcement

Approximately two dozen officers dressed in tactical attire were photographed with the recently apprehended murderer, Danelo Cavalcante, in southeastern Pennsylvania, eliciting disapproval from proponents of police reform and sections of the public.

The photograph was taken by a KYW-TV news helicopter and revealed the officers and federal agents standing semi-circularly around the restrained Cavalcante before he was placed in an armored vehicle.

Experts in policing criticized this act, describing the photo as both inappropriate and dehumanizing, particularly following the arduous 14-day manhunt for the armed individual. However, one high-ranking officer involved in the operation dismissed the concerns.

During a Wednesday press conference, Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens chose to emphasize the challenging conditions under which the officers had worked. “They are proud of their work,” Bivens noted, showing no concern about the photograph taken with the captive Cavalcante.

Experts indicate that while taking photographs following an arrest has become increasingly common due to smartphones, there are often no clear guidelines regulating such actions across law enforcement agencies.

Adam Scott Wandt, an associate professor of public policy at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, remarked, “There is no standardization or consistency in these policies. This act could serve as a catalyst for public debate.” Wandt also highlighted the ethical and legal complications involved. “Creating evidence on the scene and not properly handing it to the prosecutor poses an evidentiary issue,” he added.

The Pennsylvania State Police does have a conduct policy that prohibits social media posts or forwarding of images related to police investigations or operations without official authorization. However, it remains unclear whether this specific photograph violates that policy. A query directed towards a spokesperson for the State Police received no immediate response.

Images of Cavalcante, restrained by a police dog, were widely circulated on social media platforms in the hours following his arrest. However, these photos did not include any attribution and were shot within a secure perimeter restricted to law enforcement personnel.

Messages seeking comments about the controversial photograph were left with various agencies involved in the manhunt, including the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives clarified that their agents were neither involved in the arrest nor in the photograph.

In recent years, multiple officers have faced disciplinary action or termination for taking unauthorized photos during operations. One such incident led to the firing and subsequent murder charges against a Memphis officer for photographing Tyre Nichols after a fatal beating.

Niles R. Wilson, senior director of law enforcement initiatives at the Center for Policing Equity, found these photographs eerily similar to those from the Civil Rights era that depicted police brutality. “It is unethical and inhumane,” Wilson stated, arguing that the heightened adrenaline levels in such operations should not serve as an excuse for such behavior.

Leonard Sipes, a veteran in public affairs and communications for law enforcement agencies, acknowledged the temptation officers might feel to celebrate after intense operations but questioned the wisdom of the act. “If I were the public affairs officer on the scene, I would have advised against it,” Sipes concluded.

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More about Controversial Police Photograph with Captured Murderer

• Policing Ethics and Photography: A Deep Dive
• Pennsylvania State Police Conduct Policy
• KYW-TV News Coverage of the Incident
• Recent Cases of Police Disciplinary Actions for Unauthorized Photos
• Social Media Guidelines in Law Enforcement Agencies
• Center for Policing Equity: Official Website
• John Jay College of Criminal Justice: Public Policy Research
• U.S. Marshals Service: Media Resources
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Press Releases
• Drug Enforcement Administration: Public Affairs
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives: Press Room