Cato Institute Presentation on US Citizens Rights to Record Police...

[RobsanX]

This is an interesting and clear piece for those who are interested in this matter.

[CoderGuy]

This is an interesting and clear piece for those who are interested in this matter.

That IS a pretty interesting piece, thanks. It's a touchy subject to be sure. I get why the cops don't want to be recorded, not incase they mess up but because so many have it out for them that like the media they post only a piece of the video that makes them look bad. On the other hand it's important to protect the average person from incidents where they are overreacting or misbehaving. It's a fine line but good to hear we DO have the right to do it.

[truthwolf1]

If they are going to record us then we have the right to record them. period!

[lxskllr]

If they are going to record us then we have the right to record them. period!

I don't know why any of this is an issue. If you're in the public, you have no expectation of privacy. If you don't want the possibility of being recorded, don't get a public job. It could hardly be any simpler....

[tom502]

People are getting arrested taping police. They call it an anti-eavesdropping law. It's a way to not have evidence if they do something wrong. But then, some crims provoke the police, just so they can try and tape them.

[RobsanX]

But then, some crims provoke the police, just so they can try and tape them.

Please show us some evidence of this.

Not that it would matter since the police are trained professionals sworn to uphold the law.

[tom502]

I have no idea how often this happens, but with the large anti-law movement, I suspect it does.

http://www.vpr.net/npr/129553748/

Is one case.

[lxskllr]

I have no idea how often this happens, but with the large anti-law movement, I suspect it does.

http://www.vpr.net/npr/129553748/

Is one case.

Irrelevant. He was challenging the restrictions on selling location. The recording was secondary. In any case, recording in public is ALWAYS legal. If the cops don't want to be recorded, I'd suggest an after hours job stocking shelves at WalMart.

[RobsanX]

That's a stretch to say he was provoking police so he could record them. At any rate, the misuse of the wiretapping laws is an abuse of authority. There is no other explanation.

[sgreger1]

Please show us some evidence of this.

Not that it would matter since the police are trained professionals sworn to uphold the law.

Ask nonserviam, he is a cop. My aunt is a cop and I have multiple friends who became cops in the LAPD. Some people break out that camera and then try to get the police to have to hold them down to restrain them etc and then they shout "oh your hurting me, no no don't taser me!" etc to make it look worse. Youtube is filled with these videos of people provoking cops. The evidence is all around you.


Thank being said, Lx is right. I can't believe we are debating the obvious; a public employee, doing a job of public service, in a public place, has no expectation of privacy. End of discussion.

[RobsanX]

Some people break out that camera and then try to get the police to have to hold them down to restrain them etc and then they shout "oh your hurting me, no no don't taser me!" etc to make it look worse. Youtube is filled with these videos of people provoking cops. The evidence is all around you.

I just don't believe that.

[snusgetter]

Irrelevant. He was challenging the restrictions on selling location. The recording was secondary. In any case, recording in public is ALWAYS legal. If the cops don't want to be recorded, I'd suggest an after hours job stocking shelves at WalMart.

I just learned that my infamous state of Myassachusetts supposedly just passed a quick down-n-dirty law against any taping, audio or visual, of any 'peace' officer, regardless of incident or non-incident.

Imagine taping a public function and a cop strolls into view...
It's slammer time -- hit it!!

[truthwolf1]

I just learned that my infamous state of Myassachusetts supposedly just passed a quick down-n-dirty law against any taping, audio or visual, of any 'peace' officer, regardless of incident or non-incident.

Imagine taping a public function and a cop strolls into view...
It's slammer time -- hit it!!

The slaves will have no rights. I believe this started in New York with the assumption "terrorists" were filming buildings. Not sure if they enacted the law but the idea was no video in the city anywhere unless you get a permit to do so.

[raptor]

The reason behind the paramilitarization of police is bloated funding to counter the Drug War, an expenditure mostly agreed to have been a failure. At this point it's obvious that police do not want cameras because that requires them to completely comply with the law, which on many occasions is not the case. No cameras protects the police, and only the police.

The questions that should be asked is why are the police this way.

[tom502]

In some instances I can understand this, many times police are confronted with a total nutjob, and have to overpower them, or tase them, and sometimes shoot them, and if anyone videos it, it's often fuel to agitate the mobs that hate law and dream of a Death Wish 3 society. It's almost like filming the burning of the Koran, knowing it will incite Muslims to rape and kill innocents.