Taking pics of cops means trouble?

[Zantar]

I just read a story about a guy who had the disk from his digital camera confiscated for taking pictures of cops doing their job.

Here's the link:

http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/8082192.htm

I'm interested in reactions to this story. I personally don't think it's right for cops to treat people like they are doing something wrong just for photographing something that's happening in full view of the public.

[Charlie]

I've got to agree with DC Law on this. I suspect there is more to this than meets the eye. Sorry, I've seen too many of these stories of these clowns being some sort of self-made innocent crusader/bystander and the "not doing anything wrong" line. Yeah,....sure.... :rolleyes:

I have a lot of skepticism about some of these characters out there...
--
Charlie

[99TAC]

You technically are not allowed to photograph or video anybody without their consent unless it is for security reasons. When I was doing film and video production, we had to get signed permision to use a persons image in a video. Otherwise, you could get hit with a Cease and Desist from the police. It's one thing if you are filming a building and a car or person goes by, but if you are specifically and intentionally filming that person without their permission then that is a no no. Thats why on COPS you see some suspect's faces blurred out, because they did not give Langley Productions permission to put their face on TV.

[Norm357]

You technically are not allowed to photograph or video anybody without their consent unless it is for security reasons. When I was doing film and video production, we had to get signed permision to use a persons image in a video. Otherwise, you could get hit with a Cease and Desist from the police. It's one thing if you are filming a building and a car or person goes by, but if you are specifically and intentionally filming that person without their permission then that is a no no. Thats why on COPS you see some suspect's faces blurred out, because they did not give Langley Productions permission to put their face on TV.

The Supreme Court has ruled that "there is no reasonable expectation of privacy in a public place". In essence, the cops should have ignored him. They're lucky he wasn't a reporter. That department would be in court for the rest of eternity if he was.


If we are gettin the real story. :D

[jaunt10]

if its illegal someone should talk to copwatch in austin. Those guys have a club that purposefully goes out and videotapes police stops on weekends. I hear its pretty popular.

[JudgeDredd]

Bare is partly right. You can take a picture of anyone in a public place, but the cops have a right to get nervous. There have been numerous instances of people taking pictures of cops doing their jobs and using them for "databases." They have also tried to get cops license plates to track them down and find their residence. A good book on the topic was put out by Lawrence Salk titled "Law Enforcement Counter Intelligence." When I worked for SLDPS (St. Louis, NOT East St. Louis!...lol) My cover got blown while working a sting at a nightclub. The owner had alot of CCTV in the place. The next thing I know, I'm finding pictures of myself in just about every damn club I go into! Also, If I catch you taking pictures at my courthouse, I can/have/&WILL stop you and do a field interview while one of my guys has dispatch send a SA or LESO to check out your story as to why you were photographing the area. I'll also want to see the pictures to make sure you weren't looking for the physical secruity structure or trying to identify any of the cops or agents going in to work a case.

[big2002vic]

Those guys need to be sued. If i was close I would have my right violated by them and sue their asses off...

[Charlie]

The "sue" happy attitude is the biggest problem these days in this country... People with the jackpot jury mentality. And the same people ***** about why their taxes are so high, why their kids aren't getting educated in school, why the cops didn't do 'something' when they should have...

Without a doubt, there are cops out there who tarnish that badge and make us all look bad... AND, there are certainly justifiable situations where suing is a justified and rightious thing to do. BUT, if I read what someone was suggesting here correctly, find it disturbing that there are people out there purposely looking for any reason just to sue someone else.

Bottom line in my book is: Someone's got to pay all that money in these law suits...and WHERE does all that money come from???

No offense to anyone intended...Just my humble opinion...
--
Charlie

[vbgecko]

I've been allowed to take photographs of officers, but at least I asked.

I was on a ride along and the officer was called to a fire. I snapped a couple of photos but was told that I should put my camera away before the fire marshall arrived because they can/will confiscate film taken of the fire.

[Somebody]

I know the Hell's Angels keep tabs on cops, through photos, their own background/records check, etc. They are notorious for keeping files on officers. So far as I know, there is nothing "illegal" about merely photographing incidents, I am guessing something else happened here.

[CA Fuzz]

There is nothing illegal about filming officers. I suspect that if someone got into trouble it was because of two reasons:

1. They interfered with the officers job. 148.1 is a common charge.

2. The officer was overzealous. If this is the case, then the arrestee might have an out in court.