When It Comes to Britney Spears, LAPD Has Two Choices

The first is, be a police officer, do your duty. The second choice is, leave the job, join the the ranks of the paparazzi. From TMZ last night:

TMZ has learned that a message was sent down loud and clear today to LAPD cops working the Britney court beat today -- no photos allowed!

Law enforcement sources confirm to TMZ that an order came down to officers at the courthouse today, mandating that no cell phone photos or video of the popwreck or the ensuing chaos be taken. This command is a direct result, we're told, of reports that last week during Britney's meltdown at her home, several members of law enforcement were seen snapping pics. [TMZ]

To no fault of Spears, it's high profile cases and people like Spears that take away cops from our neighborhood streets. The next time you bitch about response times, blame the Britney Beat.

Previously on LAist

• Paris Hilton, Britney Spears & Los Angeles Politics

Photo by Shay Showden/LAist