Just this week,..
a federal appeals court in Philadelphia reaffirmed the right of Americans to film on-duty police officers when they are in public.
As it stands currently, there are rulings that have been established in at least half of the states, that seek to protect the right of US citizens to videotape law enforcement. And one who has yet to weigh in on the issue? The Supreme Court
The ruling from the court in Philadelphia just recently, stems from the decision in Fields v. City of Philadelphia. The court reaffirmed that first amendment extends to the right of people filming the police in public. It’s been suggested by legal experts for quite some time now that the police shouldn’t expect any privacy when they are carrying out their duties in public.
This recent decision from the appeals court adds to the consensus among appeals court judges that the right to film is one that should remain protected.
And it isn’t just the public who are filming, a growing number of police departments are also looking to add cameras to the uniform and looking to film their job duties and interactions with the public.
Despite the courts having affirmed the right to film in public for many states, and police departments instructing their officers that they should allow the public to engage in this activity, those who have been filming or photographing police have often been met with harassment, detainment, and arrest.
It's alleged that in at least 38 states now that it has been clearly dictated that citizens do have the right to record the police.
However, along with that right to film doesn't include the right to interfere with any police operations and investigation.
In some states, the rules aren't as clear and in places like Nevada, Michigan, Montana, and elsewhere, it's required that consent be given from all parties first, if their conversation is going to be recorded.
Despite the rules set and seemingly gray area in places that don't have clear legislation in place protecting the right to film, legal experts have insisted that Americans do have a right to film the police in all 50 states; if they do not get in their way.
Pics:
Pixabay
VICE Video
Youtube
This information isn't intended to be any form of legal advice and is posted for information purposes only.
Source:
https://www.rt.com/usa/395680-recording-police-lawsuit/
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/07/a-major-victory-for-the-right-to-record-police/533031/
http://www.rcfp.org/reporters-recording-guide
https://www.copblock.org/filmthepolice/
https://video.vice.com/en_us/video/know-your-rights-filming-the-police/59382564cfefdf393600826e
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/04/what-to-say-when-the-police-tell-you-to-stop-filming-them/391610/
Good post, thanks for sharing
This comment has received a 0.10 % upvote from @booster thanks to: @hamzaoui.
I think the most obvious point of filming police is to ensure that there is a witness if anything overly violent happens.
If the criminal kills the cop, it's recorded.
If the cop kills the criminal, it's recorded.
All police know the importance of a court, and all courts know the importance of evidence.
It's not about the "freedom to film", although that's important too. It's about the most obvious concept of filming a potentially violent confrontation, so that the truth is captured on camera, so that a court can see the truth easily.
@doitvoluntarily - I am happy that the right to film or photograph law enforcement officials in public has been upheld. I have seen some heavy handed enforcement being carried out and upon just being present there, have been harassed. I was not even filming or taking photos. I do understand that law enforcement officials face extreme danger in some situations and would like to get the job done without distraction and would like to do so as fast as possible. Sometimes, in their desire to get things done, they do get a bit intimidating. There are, though, some times, when the use of force is clearly unwarranted. It is at least under these circumstances that, the awareness of their being photographed or filmed, will help to curb over use of force. Thanks for the update. Upvoted
I have 'wasted' my weekend without getting 'wasted' and written a rather philosophical post about my butterfly and bee pictures called Float/Sting..What is your strategy. I request you to see and provide your views if you have time. Your comments will be very welcome. Thanks
Government sucks. Nice post :D
interesting post
thank for sharing
I respect police, but think they should always behave like they are being filmed. Hellx they should encourage being filmed. It creates accountability. If you are executing your duties like you should you should welcome filming. Good post!
@doitvoluntarily it's really great post!! Thanks for sharing it.
Agreed. Thanks for sharing. We should know our rights. We can film things and people in the public. Police are people. Often times, we see police in the public. It is sad when people try to get us even when we did not violate laws.
I think me should be allowed to film wathever we want. Great post! upvoted!
Nice post @doitvoluntarily
Nice post @doitvoluntarily
If only police have the right to film their activities and not the citizens, then don't we have a fascist state?
@doitvoluntarily
Interesting subject. It is human nature to not want to be watched all the time. And cameras have become so prevalent, that nearly everyone has one.
The police know that violence, which for them is sometimes necessary, isn't always well received by the viewing crowd.
In your post, this was written: "police shouldn’t expect any privacy when they are carrying out their duties in public."
Police are trained to take complete control of any situation that gets out of hand and violates public law. Being human, they could add a little more violence than is necessary. That is the part that most citizens don't like.
When we are in the public arena, we can expect to be filmed, whether we be police or private citizens. With cameras and filming today, the person doing the photo taking, doesn't have to be close to us. So expect your photo to be taken while in public. Cameras are everywhere. Even stationary ones.
So, I give a thumps up on photo taking of police. Why not? We all are in the pictures. Ha
Francis
It is essential we remain able to film police, and I think everyone should! Accountability is important, even if the political system needs fixing, without evidence that won't happen
anarchy
Citizens have the right to record. Police expect a safety perimeter. Citizen's primary recording device (a smartphone) doesn't work well at range. That's a recipe for lethal misundetstandings.
Great and informative post! This is great news, people really need to know their rights, especially when filming a cop might be the only way to get out of some sticky legal situations where you're in the right. Resteemed so more people can see this, looking forward to your future posts!
It seems like common sense that police should be filmed, especially on public property. I'm glad to see this continuing to have traction.
Some of the laws are so crazy...
This must be implemented in the developing countries like India very soon, this will eradicate bribe and corruption completely.
Upvoted & Resteemed!
This post has been ranked within the top 25 most undervalued posts in the first half of Jul 09. We estimate that this post is undervalued by $28.74 as compared to a scenario in which every voter had an equal say.
See the full rankings and details in The Daily Tribune: Jul 09 - Part I. You can also read about some of our methodology, data analysis and technical details in our initial post.
If you are the author and would prefer not to receive these comments, simply reply "Stop" to this comment.
The police are YOUR employees. You can film your employees.
I think it's okay (even encouraged) to film when the police are on the official duty. In Korea, when there's a deminstration you can see that both parties(police and the people) film the opposite side, ensuring there's no law-breaking incident.
Interesting post, I think the problem in police (on whole world) is corruption, good cop/ bad cop thing and so on, but still thanks for sharing! #keepsteemin
They are protecting us, but belive me the police is the one doing the dirty work.