Controversy Surrounds Law Enforcement’s Celebratory Photo with Captured Fugitive
In a bizarre turn of events following the intense manhunt for Danelo Cavalcante, law enforcement officers were seen gathering around the fugitive, donned in tactical gear, and posing for a photo opportunity. The scene, captured by a news helicopter, has sparked criticism and debate on social media.
Approximately two dozen agents were seen encircling Cavalcante, with one officer gripping the leash of a canine at the forefront. Another knelt beside a recovered rifle, while a third officer handed off his cellphone to a colleague before joining the group’s photo. The fugitive himself appeared expressionless throughout the entire ordeal.
The video of the photo op quickly made its way onto social media platforms, and reactions have been mixed. Some argue that the commemorative photo was unnecessary and unfair, stating that using Cavalcante as an involuntary prop was disrespectful. On the other hand, some defend the officers’ actions, emphasizing their dedication and pride in their work.
During a subsequent news conference, Lt. Col. George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police addressed the controversy. He remarked, “Those men and women work amazingly hard through some very trying circumstances. They’re proud of their work. I’m not bothered at all by the fact that they took a photograph with him in custody.”
This is not the first time such a situation has attracted public scrutiny. In 2021, a photo of white police officers in Mississippi posing with a captured Black bank robbery suspect garnered widespread criticism. Similarly, back in 2015, a Chicago officer was fired after a photo emerged of him and another white officer posing with long guns alongside a Black suspect adorned with antlers.
Parallels can be drawn to the military, where the capturing of such moments is prohibited. The Geneva Convention safeguarding prisoners of war explicitly discourages their display for “public curiosity.” Nonetheless, in the Army and Marine Corps, it is not uncommon for photos to be taken with captured enemies or even deceased combatants, although these occurrences are typically kept low-key.
As the controversial photo continues to circulate, sparking debate across the nation, the conversation around appropriate conduct and the ethics of law enforcement’s public displays is reignited.
Dave Philipps also contributed reporting to this article.