In light of the recent shooting of 12 year old, Tamir Rice, amongst a series of other questionable police actions, you are well within your rights to film the police. Documenting their actions will not only offer some protection for yourself and those on the receiving end, but it will also offer an objective viewpoint if a day in court is ever presented. You can’t argue against footage presented in real time.
Police can be held accountable for the actions, just as the ordinary citizen. The misconception that it is illegal to film police is false. Anything on a location open to the public is legal. But be aware, documenting the audio in these situations can lead to charges against you for “wiretapping.” It’s in most legislations, so be sure to inform the party clearly, that they are being taped. This may also de-escalate a heated situation to your benefit.
Footage was submitted to the Free Thought Project recently, in Texas, to highlight the importance of knowing your rights and being prepared to film the police. In the video, a police officer is captured saying to a young man, “What are you going to do if I violate his rights?” It is at this point he sees the cameras on him and returns to his car.
The question then arises, what would have happened without the imposition of the cameras on this police officer? Eventually the situation was resolved and the officers eventually released the young man involved.
Related links: JUSTICE DEPARTMENT URGES MARYLAND COURT TO UPHOLD CITIZENS’ RIGHT TO FILM POLICE
Is filming legal in all states?
The right to film the police is protected under your 1st amendment rights.
Don’t let anyone take that right away from you.
Filming the police is perfectly legal in all states and should be done to protect all involved
I’m growing very tired.
This world is going to shit!
It’s time for an Enlightening Revolution on a global scale.
I understand that filming cops in some situations can lead to a brighter out come but the majority of police bruitality that is filmed does not reach the justice is deserves. It’s not police being watched close enough, the government does notice this police brutality and over the past months it has gone viral over all sorts of media. Recording police is going to help back up the case of evidence of police brutality but the government is doing no thing to provide justice. We need to send a warning some how to provide justice for the victims of police brutality, recording is treaterning enough because half the cops in the police brutality videos are not getting the justice they deserve and getting away with things they shouldn’t be getting away with.