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Recording police with your smartphone is a Constitutional right, says DoJ

digitaltrends.com

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Re: Recording police with your smartphone is a Constitutional right, says DoJ

#3
The quality of this memo truly reflects the appropriate attitude of DoJ in regards to First (Speech), Fourth (Search), and Fourteenth (Due Process) Amendment rights.

> E.g. "Officers should be advised not to threaten, intimidate, or otherwise discourage an individual from recording police officer enforcement activities or intentionally block or obstruct cameras or recording devices."

Re: Recording police with your smartphone is a Constitutional right, says DoJ

#4
post #2

I'm wondering is there a Wikipedia article on this issue, I was interested to get more background on this, especially the status in other countries.

Radley Balko has written extensively on this topic. It is also a frequent topic @ Reason.com. Carlos Miller maintains a blog called "Photography is not a Crime" that deals with this issue. Those sources are good places to start learning about the ongoing issues of photography in public spaces & of police actions.

Re: Recording police with your smartphone is a Constitutional right, says DoJ

#5
Just copied this to my smartphone so I have it on hand.

For years I've been in the habit of just hanging around for a bit if I come across cops when they're dealing with citizens. I encourage everybody to try it from time to time. Worst case, you learn something. Best case, you subtly remind the police who they work for: their fellow citizens.

Re: Recording police with your smartphone is a Constitutional right, says DoJ

#7
post #6

Why aren't the police equipped with recording devices that are active whenever they are interacting with the public? It seems that anyone with that sort of power should have an audit trail for their actions.

Because people with that sort of power don't want an audit trail of their actions.

Re: Recording police with your smartphone is a Constitutional right, says DoJ

#10
post #7
post #6

Why aren't the police equipped with recording devices that are active whenever they are interacting with the public? It seems that anyone with that sort of power should have an audit trail for their actions.

Because people with that sort of power don't want an audit trail of their actions.

That's pretty darn cynical, I think people in general want their privacy respected, regardless of power level.
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