Getting arrested for filming/photographing cops ???

Photographers and Videographers getting arrested for filming or taking pictures of law enforcement officers. It happens quite often and it's a very sensitive subject for a few people, as many view it differently from multiple perspectives.
Surely no one wants to go to jail. However you have rights to film/photograph.....or do you ? Well,if you're one of the people in these videos maybe you're rights are not up for a consideration.


How do you turn it off? You better show me before it gets broken!!

"I do what I want to do"

When you are told to move, you simply move?!

Dont laugh ! This guys' filming skills are something lol

hmmm.Open for discussion.

Theese guys all have an attitude, never had an issue here in Sweden or Hungary.

Play it cool and look like a photographer, wear that vest and be humble. If they are out of line obviously I would start shouting back and I would never delete an image because they told me.

But yeah, only once have I had a cop tell me to f*ck off and that was when I tried getting behind them when they were in riot gear and lined up trying to force some football hooligans away, I kinda got stuck in between the police and the fans and wanted a shot behind the police. Tried to sneak through two cops and one guy raised the baton and screamed so I almost shat my pants.

Best part was when I was going to develope the roll, the one with my best shots hadn't been fed properly... Last time I am bringing my analogue out.

I think its a lot like gear or troubleshooting forums. You hear the negative stories and if you look at them, you'll get the impression that whatever gear is being discussed rarely works and is always needing repair.

How many people post "I was taking pictures of X and nobody hassled me." I suspect the percentages of bad vs good encounters between photographers and police aren't nearly as bad as some suggest. There are lots of encounters between photographers and police that the photographer isn't even aware of. A cop notices you taking photos of X and realized "that's fine" and doesn't even approach. You don't even know you had an "interaction" with a cop.

Police officers, firefighters and paramedics are increasingly being bothered by rubberneckers getting in their way while they're trying to do an awkward job. When they tell you to move on, do so and don't argue.

David

spkerer wrote in post #12395020
I think its a lot like gear or troubleshooting forums. You hear the negative stories and if you look at them, you'll get the impression that whatever gear is being discussed rarely works and is always needing repair.

How many people post "I was taking pictures of X and nobody hassled me." I suspect the percentages of bad vs good encounters between photographers and police aren't nearly as bad as some suggest. There are lots of encounters between photographers and police that the photographer isn't even aware of. A cop notices you taking photos of X and realized "that's fine" and doesn't even approach. You don't even know you had an "interaction" with a cop.

Right on point.I agree,but I think in these cases the officers were wearing their "I'm the man thats large and in charge" badge of the day. I think some could have handled it differently IMHO.

Eiro wrote in post #12396497
Right on point.I agree,but I think in these cases the officers were wearing their "I'm the man thats large and in charge" badge of the day. I think some could have handled it differently IMHO.

I agree. In fact, I think that "I'm the man that's large and in charge" mentality is actually encouraged within the departments. That attitude can be invaluable in helping them control a potentially dangerous scene - and that can be a good thing on many of the scenes they deal with. I'm not trying to justify them acting that way towards EVERYBODY at a scene. But challenging their control and authority at a scene is rarely going to lead to anything but escalation...

spkerer wrote in post #12395020
I think its a lot like gear or troubleshooting forums. You hear the negative stories and if you look at them, you'll get the impression that whatever gear is being discussed rarely works and is always needing repair.

How many people post "I was taking pictures of X and nobody hassled me." I suspect the percentages of bad vs good encounters between photographers and police aren't nearly as bad as some suggest. There are lots of encounters between photographers and police that the photographer isn't even aware of. A cop notices you taking photos of X and realized "that's fine" and doesn't even approach. You don't even know you had an "interaction" with a cop.

As a Law Enforcement professional and a photographer I can't tell you how true this is. Howevere there are times when someone taking pictures warrants further exploration suach as someone taking pictures of schools, water plants, etc. I always try to be as polite as I can until the person I am questions turns it into something more.

While everyone has the right to photograph from private property there are times when we ask them to move on. I may have information that the photographer doesn't know and it could be a safety issue if they don't move. I am not trying to violate your rights, just get you to move on without having to have a long drawn out conversation over why you need to move. Arguing with an officer that asked you to move, even if you think that he is wrong, could turn into a criminal violation if the officer can justify the request.

I wonder if they've ever heard or RescuePro??

I don't think the cops have lol, but the photogs should definitely be on top of it.

stang199gv wrote in post #12396937
As a Law Enforcement professional and a photographer I can't tell you how true this is. Howevere there are times when someone taking pictures warrants further exploration suach as someone taking pictures of schools, water plants, etc. I always try to be as polite as I can until the person I am questions turns it into something more.

While everyone has the right to photograph from private property there are times when we ask them to move on. I may have information that the photographer doesn't know and it could be a safety issue if they don't move. I am not trying to violate your rights, just get you to move on without having to have a long drawn out conversation over why you need to move. Arguing with an officer that asked you to move, even if you think that he is wrong, could turn into a criminal violation if the officer can justify the request.

Yes but rarely are they ever prosecuted, and even less are they ever won by the police departments. I have been an NPPA photographer for quite a few years. This issue usually comes up between hotheads on both sides. The fact is that police officers cannot prevent photography of an emergency scene. It has gone to the Supreme court and state supreme courts numerous times. But the issue now is that cameras are being used by both sides to support their own positions for questionable cases. Everyday MVA's aren't usually the issue. It's the unusual or high impact cases that the questions exist. Not sure about your area, but police cannot come onto private property and tell photographers what they can and cannot shoot. Public property has many of the same rules. Police lines usually cannot be crossed by anyone but emergency personnel and acredited PJ's. But they can be removed too, and often are.

My suggestion to the OP and to LEO's is to take the NPPA's liason course. I also suggest that any photographer that shoots spot news join NPPA and learn the ethics involved as well as actual rights vs imagined ones. Pissing off the press can be just as uncomfortable for LEO's as it is for the reverse. Also find out if your town or area has a press relations packet for LEOs. This will give the policies and enforceable rules for your area. In a nut shell, police cannot force you to stop shooting, erase your images or seize your gear. Those have all been found to be unconstitional here in the US.

LBaldwin wrote in post #12399505
Yes but rarely are they ever prosecuted, and even less are they ever won by the police departments. I have been an NPPA photographer for quite a few years. This issue usually comes up between hotheads on both sides. The fact is that police officers cannot prevent photography of an emergency scene. It has gone to the Supreme court and state supreme courts numerous times. But the issue now is that cameras are being used by both sides to support their own positions for questionable cases. Everyday MVA's aren't usually the issue. It's the unusual or high impact cases that the questions exist. Not sure about your area, but police cannot come onto private property and tell photographers what they can and cannot shoot. Public property has many of the same rules. Police lines usually cannot be crossed by anyone but emergency personnel and acredited PJ's. But they can be removed too, and often are.

My suggestion to the OP and to LEO's is to take the NPPA's liason course. I also suggest that any photographer that shoots spot news join NPPA and learn the ethics involved as well as actual rights vs imagined ones. Pissing off the press can be just as uncomfortable for LEO's as it is for the reverse. Also find out if your town or area has a press relations packet for LEOs. This will give the policies and enforceable rules for your area. In a nut shell, police cannot force you to stop shooting, erase your images or seize your gear. Those have all been found to be unconstitional here in the US.

Some good advise. I personally have never had an incident come to the point where I even thought that I needed to take action against someone photographing. Usually just a quick explanation that someone needs to move, not stop photographing and leave, is enough. Giving a quick and polite request and showing some respect, on both sides, ususally ends up with both sides getting along.

stang199gv wrote in post #12402217
Some good advise. I personally have never had an incident come to the point where I even thought that I needed to take action against someone photographing. Usually just a quick explanation that someone needs to move, not stop photographing and leave, is enough. Giving a quick and polite request and showing some respect, on both sides, ususally ends up with both sides getting along.

AMEN! 99.99999 % of all police/fire/ and EMS persons are always cool. Unless it's a grueseome scene and the NOK has not been contacted. In the old days when there were multiple papers competing against one another, bleed it leads was the rule. But for the most part that has changed. And I am happy for that.

I have run into a few knuckleheads on both sides, and steer away from them. I also usually bring firefighters copies of any shots - if nothing else for training.

Like you I live in both worlds (sort of). Most PD's have a media liason to help out or at the very least a PAO. Asking to see or speak to the PAO or media relations person goes along way.

I tell you one "trick" I do use with newbie, I remind them that images are what makes the story - part of history.

Eiro wrote in post #12394204
Photographers and Videographers getting arrested for filming or taking pictures of law enforcement officers.

I wonder what the rules are for the police photographing the police with a photojournalists camera?

I was covering a rally on Miami Beach and during a lull in the action a Miami Beach Police Officer walked over to me and asked what type of lens I had on my camera which was an older 35-350mmL, I explained the lens to him and handed my camera he tried looking through the viewfinder zoomed fully out and commented "how do you focus this thing," I told him to slightly press down on the shutter, he aimed the camera at a group of other officers and yelled out hey, they turned glared at us and as they did he pushed the shutter a little too far and the camera fired off quite a few shots before he released the shutter.


Wayne

stang199gv wrote in post #12396937
Arguing with an officer that asked you to move, even if you think that he is wrong, could turn into a criminal violation if the officer can justify the request.

As I stated in this thread https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=1039226&page=​3 the street is not the place to argue the law with law enforcement.

The police have a job to do and photojournalists have a job to do and quite often those jobs conflict and on the street the officer wins every time.

It is my opinion it is better to walk away and shoot later than to be taken away and ceasing all photography for what can be a number of long very long hours, if not days...

Jail is not a fun place to be plus the food sucks...

Wayne

LBaldwin wrote in post #12399505
I also suggest that any photographer that shoots spot news join NPPA and learn the ethics involved as well as actual rights vs imagined ones.

If one if a working photojournalist and not a member of NPPA one is what I call a scab…

Almost all departments down here have Public Information Offices (PIO) which also works as a liaison between the press and the department and contacting them when there is a problem versus arguing with an officer on-the-street usually has a considerably more positive outcome. An associate of mine had a run in with the Chief of a major department down here, he was ordered by the Chief not to photograph a group of officers making an arrest during a protest (which he had already done), a call from his office was made to the departments PIO that department contacted the Chief and the matter was resolved to my associates advantage within minutes and a apology from the Chief was issued for the error.

Actually they can do any of the above if the wish, though it will not work to their advantage in the end as it is not legal to do so.

Wayne