Police to citizens: "Stop recording our brutality!"
By Latrivia
@Latrivia (2878)
United States
June 3, 2010 6:49pm CST
And to think they're being backed by courts on this. This is going on in at least three states. If you live in one of them, make sure you don't record a cop in public performing a public duty (an illegal one, to be frank - they don't care if you make them look good, just don't embarrass them), otherwise you might find yourself in legal trouble. We gotta preserve a public servant's privacy when doing public things, after all.
http://gizmodo.com/5553765/are-cameras-the-new-guns
http://gizmodo.com/5553765/are-cameras-the-new-guns2 people like this
7 responses
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
4 Jun 10
He he...let's hear it for NH! We can legally video record cops in the course of their duties with out their consent. there was a bill that was introduced that allowed us to audio record as well with out their knowledge, but it failed by a narrow margin..it is coming up again though and some compromises have been made since it's last introduction that will allow it to pass this time.
1 person likes this
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
4 Jun 10
Wow... that is really freaking scary. I am literally afraid to ever live in those states now. That pretty much gives police a green light to abuse and beat anyone they like with the threat that if you record their behavior, YOU will be tried as a criminal (and I'm sure your video won't be admitted as evidence for brutality charges). This is really in the realm of oppressive, Soviet, or Nazi style government right here. I think this could violate the 1st amendment, but it's frightening that courts have upheld these laws.
On a side note most states have laws that say things that occur in public have no expectation of privacy and as such, consent is not needed. That's the defense that was successfully used by the Girls Gone Wild guy.
@Latrivia (2878)
• United States
4 Jun 10
I foresee these excuses for censorship eventually being overruled by...well... people healthy respect the rights of the citizens in this country. They're too ridiculous not to. Think of how many power tripping cops have been stopped in their tracks (or at least slowed down a bit) by videos like this.
I mean, if you catch a regular crime on your cell phone (with audio capabilities), that's still admissible in court, isn't it? So why not allow us to catch a cop committing a crime the same way? That's one of our best defenses against corrupt officers. These courts are allowing police brutality to continue relatively unhindered by doing this, and any legal infractions by cops on civilians are on THEIR hands.
The whole thing makes my blood boil.
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
4 Jun 10
What's next?
"Stop caring that we're crooked and on the take!"
"Stop whining about being harassed without cause!"
"Stop trying to limit our power!"
How about "Stop being f-ups, do your job as police - nothing more, nothing less"?
Who do they think they are? Politicians?
@ndubose (418)
• United States
4 Jun 10
Wow this is interesting and unfair because they have the right to tape us and even come in our homes when ever they want that is so ridiculous.....Hey if your wrong your wrong whether you take me to court or not I guess they will have to continue to sue us....I hope the people they are suing is appealing it....Like they do when they don't want to resolve other issues....
If the police are acting illigally and treating people in inappropriate ways then they SHOULD be exposed, and for any citizens who are able to prove this on camera to be penalised is SO wrong
is it a police state already!!