Is it legal to record the cops?

[Matt Collins]

The answer might surprise you:
http://reason.com/blog/2010/07/12/more-on-recording-on-duty-poli



.

[BlackTerrel]

I posted this in another thread but it's relevant here as well.

These guys weren't even committing a crime and had their camera confiscated:

YouTube - Dearborn Police: Defending Islam against the Constitution (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Smw9QuH1xkA)

It is scary stuff. If they aren't doing anything wrong why do they mind cameras?

[aravoth]

YouTube - Secretly Record Anyone - Spy Sunglasses (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iygrNjQ7Cdc)

[Matt Collins]

YouTube - Santa Fe Police Confront Man for Open Carring Legally (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BwQQSo9YX4)

[heavenlyboy34]

Another reason why the government is not your friend or protector. :P

[Soca Taliban]

YouTube - Santa Fe Police Confront Man for Open Carring Legally (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BwQQSo9YX4)

That ish was great! Stupid officers talking about what do you have to hide?

[Matt Collins]

That ish was great! Stupid officers talking about what do you have to hide?
The guy in that video was a campaign volunteer for Kokesh. He was also part of the MotorHome Diaries too

[TNforPaul45]

No Matt, it's not legal to record them.

They are our gods. Don't you realize this? Piety is required when approaching them. One must avert one's eyes when going before the Tribunals

Bow when you come into visibility with them, approach them and bow at the half way point of distance between them and yourself, keeping your eyes averted, then bow once more when before them, only then making eye contact for the most brief period, and then await your addressment by the most Regal Law Givers.

Failing to do so could induce consequences in your body and person which are most unfortunate. Most unfortunate indeed.


:rolleyes:

[Kregisen]

How would we find out local laws on the subject? I've always wondered this and some states do make it illegal to record a public officer on public property.

[kahless]

They are our gods. Don't you realize this? Piety is required when approaching them. One must avert one's eyes when going before the Tribunals

Bow when you come into visibility with them, approach them and bow at the half way point of distance between them and yourself, keeping your eyes averted, then bow once more when before them, only then making eye contact for the most brief period, and then await your addressment by the most Regal Law Givers.

Failing to do so could induce consequences in your body and person which are most unfortunate. Most unfortunate indeed.

Funniest thing I read all day but so true how some behave like they expect you to act that way.


How would we find out local laws on the subject? I've always wondered this and some states do make it illegal to record a public officer on public property.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_and_Identify_statutes

[BlackTerrel]

How would we find out local laws on the subject? I've always wondered this and some states do make it illegal to record a public officer on public property.

What is the reason they give for this? The way I see it if you aren't doing anything wrong why would you really care?

[coastie]

Funniest thing I read all day but so true how some behave like they expect you to act that way.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_and_Identify_statutes


Thats "stop and Identify", not recording...

Every time I get pulled over, I ALWAYS record. I hit the one touch record button on my phone.

While it may not help you in court, it will, at the very least, get into the public's mind that whatever may have been recorded actually did happen-you never know, the 12 sitting across from you may have heard it...

I've always planned on releasing the video on the interwebs, if that ever occurred. Then what could they say?

[TinCanToNA]

I posted this in another thread but it's relevant here as well.

These guys weren't even committing a crime and had their camera confiscated:

YouTube - Dearborn Police: Defending Islam against the Constitution (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Smw9QuH1xkA)

It is scary stuff. If they aren't doing anything wrong why do they mind cameras?

That man who said he was a former Muslim is especially brave. Insane psychopaths want him dead. Apostates are to be killed, after all...

Ahem, I don't meant to derail this thread. Personally I agree with Judge Nap, that the camera is the gun of the 21st century. If you want to protect yourself fully, you will probably need both...

[osan]

The answer might surprise you:
http://reason.com/blog/2010/07/12/more-on-recording-on-duty-poli (http://reason.com/blog/2010/07/12/more-on-recording-on-duty-poli)
.

All crap. Legal or not, we overwhelm "them" by sheer numbers and posting directly to sites such as YouTube. These are some of the best weapons we have at our disposal against these pigs who deem themselves somehow superior to the rest, when in fact they are usually significantly inferior, personally and positionally.

Record them randomly and often overwhelm them with such numbers that they have small choice than to either go further in their outrageous behaviors or get right-sized. We are at a point in our lives now where we have to shit or get off the pot. We either fight these bastards or we capitulate to them. I'm not much for capitulation.

[Anti Federalist]

No Matt, it's not legal to record them.

They are our gods. Don't you realize this? Piety is required when approaching them. One must avert one's eyes when going before the Tribunals

Bow when you come into visibility with them, approach them and bow at the half way point of distance between them and yourself, keeping your eyes averted, then bow once more when before them, only then making eye contact for the most brief period, and then await your addressment by the most Regal Law Givers.

Failing to do so could induce consequences in your body and person which are most unfortunate. Most unfortunate indeed.


:rolleyes:

YouTube - Kringle Fights the Power! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWQu_et0VHc)

[Anti Federalist]

All crap. Legal or not, we overwhelm "them" by sheer numbers and posting directly to sites such as YouTube. These are some of the best weapons we have at our disposal against these pigs who deem themselves somehow superior to the rest, when in fact they are usually significantly inferior, personally and positionally.

Record them randomly and often overwhelm them with such numbers that they have small choice than to either go further in their outrageous behaviors or get right-sized. We are at a point in our lives now where we have to shit or get off the pot. We either fight these bastards or we capitulate to them. I'm not much for capitulation.

That +1776

[Slutter McGee]

I have always been very reserved in my responses to police abuse. I think responses here often go overboard, and that the police force used in some of examples that get posted here are justified.

However, recording police is an issue that is well worth fighting for. And it is absolutely integral to liberty. We must have the power to watch, observe, record, and share the actions of those in positions of authority. Otherwise, liberty is worthless.

This is an issue I personally want to get behind and do something to support.

Sincerely,

Slutter McGee

[Matt Collins]

YouTube - Cop: "You can't record audio" (Concord, New Hampshire cops) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0GWhR-FE64&feature=player_embedded)

[heavenlyboy34]

All crap. Legal or not, we overwhelm "them" by sheer numbers and posting directly to sites such as YouTube. These are some of the best weapons we have at our disposal against these pigs who deem themselves somehow superior to the rest, when in fact they are usually significantly inferior, personally and positionally.

Record them randomly and often overwhelm them with such numbers that they have small choice than to either go further in their outrageous behaviors or get right-sized. We are at a point in our lives now where we have to shit or get off the pot. We either fight these bastards or we capitulate to them. I'm not much for capitulation.

That's the spirit! :cool::)

[Justinjj1]

I posted this in another thread but it's relevant here as well.

These guys weren't even committing a crime and had their camera confiscated:

YouTube - Arab Festival 2010: Dearborn Police Defending Islam against the Constitution (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Smw9QuH1xkA)

It is scary stuff. If they aren't doing anything wrong why do they mind cameras?


Those guys weren't committing a crime, but they were being huge fucking douchebags. Imagine how they would feel if Muslims started handing out copies the Koran at a Christian church function.

[libertybrewcity]

What kind of law makes it illegal for people to not hand out literature at a festival? That seems highly unconstitutional and beatable in court if it came to that.

[james1906]

Those guys weren't committing a crime, but they were being huge fucking douchebags. Imagine how they would feel if Muslims started handing out copies the Koran at a Christian church function.

This is what the 1A is designed to protect

[libertybrewcity]

Those guys weren't committing a crime, but they were being huge fucking douchebags. Imagine how they would feel if Muslims started handing out copies the Koran at a Christian church function.

It's not about being a douchebag or not. It is the fact that it is ILLEGAL to hand out literature at the Arab festival.

[Anti Federalist]

Always left unaddressed by the apologists for the state enforcers when this subject comes up, is this question:

If it is illegal to record, audio or video, of a person without their consent, under state or municipality's privacy laws, then when are all the government spy cameras coming down?

[Justinjj1]

It's not about being a douchebag or not. It is the fact that it is ILLEGAL to hand out literature at the Arab festival.

I agree that the 1st amendment should protect these guys and they should not be harrassed by the police, but this video was just made to stir up more islamophobia. Evangelical idiots who try to stir up trouble and shove their beliefs on people really piss me off.

[libertybrewcity]

Yes, how else would you bring attention to it to the issue specifically. To almost 300k people.

[angelatc]

Those guys weren't committing a crime, but they were being huge fucking douchebags. Imagine how they would feel if Muslims started handing out copies the Koran at a Christian church function.

I agree with you, and they don't even live here. They flew in from other parts of the country just to do this. However, they have a clear right to do it. The Constitution protects douchebags too. If they want the law to change, they have to be willing to get arrested and take it all the way to the SCOTUS. And sadly, even that's no guarantee any more.

[angelatc]

I agree that the 1st amendment should protect these guys and they should not be harrassed by the police, but this video was just made to stir up more islamophobia. Evangelical idiots who try to stir up trouble and shove their beliefs on people really piss me off.

Thats very true. His statement about "this is only true in Dearborn" is simply false. We all heard the tales of people getting booted for passing out campaign literature and pocket constitutions at various events across the country.

[DamianTV]

YouTube - Santa Fe Police Confront Man for Open Carring Legally (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BwQQSo9YX4)

Who is supposed to protect us from those that are supposed to protect us? Oh yeah, we have to protect ourselves. Then what fucking good are cops to begin with? They dont do shit except give petty violations, but most anything that is worth while for them to do something about, like the ones where there is a victim, robbery, rape, murder, they dont do a fucking thing. They wonder why there is a lot of anti cop setiment going around? How about they help people that need it for a change?

[lucius]

The answer might surprise you:
http://reason.com/blog/2010/07/12/more-on-recording-on-duty-poli



.

Who f*cking cares; I will do it because I can, not inform their ass that it is happening, and then later sue them individually along with the whole force in civil court...f*ck the police!

Who works for who...remember it isn't justice but--JUST US! '...come-on, come-on, come-on, listen to the money...' :mad:

[BlackTerrel]

Those guys weren't committing a crime, but they were being huge fucking douchebags. Imagine how they would feel if Muslims started handing out copies the Koran at a Christian church function.

I don't see your point. So you justify them being arrested because they were "douchebags"?

[BlackTerrel]

Thats very true. His statement about "this is only true in Dearborn" is simply false. We all heard the tales of people getting booted for passing out campaign literature and pocket constitutions at various events across the country.

See the video I posted. They weren't even at the event in the second video. And even the people videotaping were arrested.

If this indeed happens in other places than that is only more troubling - it doesn't make what happened any better.

[Wesker1982]

don't a lot of police cars have dash cams? if its illegal, someone better let them know :rolleyes:

My phone can record an hour of audio and I have a pocket sized HD camera that was purchased primarily for defense against the police. I record every interaction I have with them.

[BlackTerrel]

don't a lot of police cars have dash cams? if its illegal, someone better let them know :rolleyes:

It's illegal for us. They are allowed to do whatever they want.

[pcosmar]

Legal to record them?

Let me know when it's legal to shoot them. (for violating rights)
:cool:

[Matt Collins]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C70YBDxZS68http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C70YBDxZS68http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C70YBDxZS68
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C70YBDxZS68)

[Matt Collins]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bFl4H-toyU&feature=player_embedded

[AFPVet]

It is your First Amendment right under freedom of the press to record public officers.

[Philhelm]

To answer the original question on this thread, it depends on the cop and judge in question, at least by de facto law.

[tpreitzel]

It is your First Amendment right under freedom of the press to record public officers.

Ah, but one must have some sort of governmental license, e.g. a state issued diploma, to be considered a member of the press ... oh, so the BS argument will likely go....

/sarcasm ...

[tpreitzel]

Ah, but one must have some sort of governmental license, e.g. a state issued diploma, to be considered a member of the press ... oh, so the BS argument will likely go....

/sarcasm ...

However, where's the "freedom" of the press when only state-approved members of the press are allowed? .... good question! :)

[showpan]

You should record them anyway. Buy one of those nifty little cams that are being advertised on tv. and hide it. In Michigan, they can take your cell phone now and dump everything into their data base. All of it's contents can be extracted right there in their car. They are doing it right now to someone as I write this post. This is surely something that will spread. I live in Nevada and last year the police in my town installed all of their cruisers with cams that record you license plate and auto checks it for warrants and such. They leave them on the side of the road and it will record every license plate that drives by and store it on a permanent data base. Now, even though our town is in the red, and everything is getting cut, they are spending $5 million to upgrade their radios so that the public can't listen in. It's ironic that this town happens to also have a $5 million budget shortfall. The most disturbing thing is what ALL of the states have been ordering from the DOD. If you go to their site, and DL the budget's for the past several years, you can get a break down on just what each of your elected officials have ordered for their respective states. Fencing, tents, armoured vehicles, weapons, etc, etc. The list is unbelievable. They are building up their military capabilities right here at home...check it out.

[AFPVet]

I would be interested to see where in the Constitution members of the press are legally defined lol. Furthermore, I wonder if there is any such case law regarding what constitutes a member of the press.