Two Officers Benched in Probe of Leaked Rihanna Photo

By PopEater Staff Posted Sep 11th 2009 03:59PM

A pair of Los Angeles police officers have been placed on paid leave as part of the investigation into the leak of a photo of a bruised and battered Rihanna, the Los Angeles Times has learned. The image, which shows the shocking aftermath of an altercation on Feb. 8 with her then-boyfriend Chris Brown, was first published by TMZ.

Rebecca M. Reyes, a nine-year veteran of the force, and rookie Blanca Lopez have been "assigned to home" pending the outcome of a probe into their conduct, according to anonymous sources within the law enforcement apparatus.

The LAPD declined to discuss the investigation as well as the following questions:

Who took the photo?
How did it find its way to TMZ?
Was money exchanged?
Was the pic taken by a camera phone or with official police equipment?

According to the Times, a California state law would make it a misdemeanor for police officials to profit by leaking confidential images.

Tags: chris brown, ChrisBrown, rihanna

Comments

(14)

Friday 11 September

By mcrforeverr

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ok this new is so old. blah blah blah:(

By tresa8685

These officers were put on paid leave. They should be fired, or at least on unpaid leave during the investigation instead of a paid vacation. If they are found innocent, back pay could always be reinstated....

By Bill Heath

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It wasn't a fake picture so the truth wasn't hidden behind lawyers, maybe some other young girl will not suffer the same fate! They have to be punished but they are not the criminals.

By John0516

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Mr. Heath, You are a first-class JACKASS. Do you drive on the freeway while talking on a cell-phone? I would hope not. In her own statement, Rihanna maintained that she started the fight by physically assaulting him while he was driving his car. She initiated the physical altercation. It could have stopped then but it didn't. You cannot possibly run to the aid of one, when both are equally to blame. We do not live in the 1800's or the early 1900's we are now in a portion of history where men and woman are viewed as equals. I would suggest you review all the fact's of the matter at hand. Instead of spouting your ill advised, uneducated rhetoric. And when you make a decision, if you can manage that on your own, stick with it and don't ask your Mother for her opinion, and then simply align yourself with it.

Saturday 12 September

By Robin

No Mr Heath the only ones who needed to view those pictures were the people involved, judge, lawyers, prosecuters and jury. Because of what those officers did those pictures could have been removed from the evidence and there would be no visual proof. We all know they were paid and I think obstructing justice should be more than a misdemeanor. What if that teenage girl who was going to go to the police to report her boyfriend because Rihanna did it, and so maybe it isn't okay for him to hit her changes her mind because she doesn't want the world to see her like that. It is obvious that police do what they want with the evidence it isn't secure. Therefor the system is tainted.

By Marie

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"A picture is worth a thousand words." Those words truly resonate in this case. Without those pictures, Chris Brown might have gotten away with it, being the "celebrity" that he is. Those officers should be commended for bringing the truth to light. I hope they enjoy their paid leave and return to work even more on fire for justice.

By Jasmine

I completely agree.

By Lauri

Total sexual discrimination on the part of the LAPD. If they were male officers, they would have been assigned to desk duty. In all the stories I've read about male police officers under investigation, they're always assigned to desk duty. But the women got "assigned to home." What a farce the LAPD is...and worse, they have a snitch among them!

Sunday 13 September

By Heidi

Well, I think these female officers decided that it was worth risking even their careers to ensure this severe instance of domestic violence could not be swept under the rug. Not this time. After those photos leaked, publicists and fellow artists couldn't so easily shrug off, downplay, or excuse what Chris did, the way they had all been trying to do up to that day. Publicists made it seem like it was a minor altercation that was a private manner. While I know Rhianna was embarrassed and her privacy was compromised, and it was clearly illegal for these officers to leak those photos, I think it might have helped Rhianna herself in the long run to really look and see what he did to her. I hope it also helped Chris 'get it' though I fear he hasn't learned much yet.
I find it hard to fault the two officers who made the decision to put the photos in TMZ's hands, and hope they don't lose their jobs because of it.

By JazzyGuy126

You won`t be saying that is something like this happen to your wife, mother or girlfriend. Then again, maybe it has...by you! As for the n-word comment, it trailer trash like yourself that prevents this country from getting past all that garbarge. Your probadly get your punk ass kicked by some brothers on a daily basis which is why your so bitter. Next time they see you, they need to do a better job!!!

By Erin

People should get to see what an animal Chris Brown is. People should get to see what men do to women all the time. Yes, that is ALL THE TIME! Domestic violence is rampant in this country and it's time women stood up to fight it. Note that the two officers who supposedly leaked the photos are women. Considering the reports of young women saying that this is normal I can see why they'd want to point out that it's not!

Your rationalizaton is skewed. If you want these animals prosecuted then plastering the pictures of the victims on the internet is not going to help you cause. I think you might be one of those people who enjoys viewing others suffering. Should rape victims be photographed in the stirrups and those pictures plastered over the internet. NO!!! HELL NO!!! If you are victimized once and have the courage to go for help you should not be victimized again by having your most private and degrading moments plasterd across the the internet for the world to see. You hear of cases of teens killing themselves over pictures they sent to a loved one becoming public knowledge and you think it is okay for people who are suppose to be there to help you sending pictures out. Get real there was no right to know. The only ones who had a right would have been judge and jury.

I agree

And BTW, yes Rhianna was wrong to smack him, she needs to work on her temper and jealousy and also impulsiveness. I hope she does recognize she played a part in the situation. But a slap does NOT excuse a severe beating, choking her until unconscious, and then leaving the scene with her laying on the ground not moving, only for him to take off in his bodyguards car which had been following them. Its disgraceful.

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