There has been a lot of attention given to the public’s video taping of police in action. In Springfield, MA a police officer was convicted after being videotaped beating a suspect with a flashlight. On the other side of things, people who have done the videotaping of police have found themselves under arrest. I understand that no one wants to be videotaped without their consent. But are police over reacting in arresting those taping what essentially is a public action?
I would not only argue yes, but would go further and say the videotaping protects those officers who are doing things right. Remember that many police cruisers are equipped with dashboard cameras that record traffic stops and provide vital information when things go wrong. I realize that law enforcement often deals with the lowest of low lifes, but it still important to note that professionalism counts no matter with whom you are dealing.
While I am not a lawyer, it does seem that videotaping of police is legal. This makes the actions of police arresting photographers seem at best petty, if not an act of intimidation. Technology has changed the workplace for us all. It is no different for those enforcing the law.
At The Mic 