Long Beach Police Chief Confirms Detaining Photographers Within Departmental Policy

http://www.lbpost.com/​life/greggory/12188

It seems this is happening more and more often.

Fortunately, departmental policy doesn't override the constitution of the U.S. After a couple of people who can afford a good lawyer are unlawfully detained, and the city has to pay out a few fat settlements that policy will be yesterdays news.

"1 After running Wolff's driver's license, Kahn left the scene without ordering Wolff to desist."

Sounds like much ado about nothing. The police observed someone photographing a refinery, stopped to ask a few questions and checked the photog's ID. Since the photog obviously checked out and was on the up and up, the police left him to continue doing what he was doing. I don't see what the big deal is...having to answer a few questions isn't a violation of anyone's rights. I wouldn't be surprised if the whole process took no longer than a traffic stop.

So the cop stopped him, asked him to identify himself, asked him some questions, and let him go.

Oh, the horror...

I believe that's something which could have a very successful argument to the contrary.

One of these days, there will be enough outcry about things like this that someone will be seen by a cop, and the cop will do nothing, and the "photographer" will be part of some terrorist plan to kill people. If and when that happens, the people who are crying foul over this will be the same people complaining about the police failing to protect us when it would've been so easy for them to do so...

argyle wrote in post #12969096
I don't see what the big deal is...having to answer a few questions isn't a violation of anyone's rights.

Too many people believe it is...

Don't misunderstand me.... I agree that this case is hardly like others I've read about here.

Though, I found it interesting that the Chief confirmed a departmental policy that could create issues. I thought the article might be of interest to other readers here.

I think I'm a bit sensitive to the camera issue after the Fullerton case.

Ok to photograph and record police in Cleveland.
http://blog.cleveland.​com …e_the_right_to_​video.html

BreitlingFan wrote in post #12969116
Too many people believe it is...

And it's these people who should be educated. There's nothing wrong with being questioned why you're doing something (an innocent person has nothing to hide, anyway).

However, if the photog was told to cease and desist whilst providing no reasonable assumption that he was up to no good and whilst being on public property, and then arrested, there would be an issue.

Nomofica wrote in post #12969367
There's nothing wrong with being questioned why you're doing something

Agree.

Nomofica wrote in post #12969367
(an innocent person has nothing to hide, anyway).

Fail. Would you be okay with the police searching your home any time they felt like it? I wouldn't, and we have laws here that prevent it.

moose10101 wrote in post #12969945
Fail. Would you be okay with the police searching your home any time they felt like it? I wouldn't, and we have laws here that prevent it.

We're talking about the simple act of being asked what you're up to, not having a home searched for evidence.

Try and keep things relevant.

Policing has become so soft here in the UK that the government is bringing in William Bratton, former commander of the police forces in Los Angeles, New York and Boston to show our police how to deal with riots.

You people in the US should be glad you don't have whimps in fancy dress uniforms standing around watching while thugs loot and set fire to property.

Support your police - don't disable them!!!

David

BreitlingFan wrote in post #12969110
One of these days, there will be enough outcry about things like this that someone will be seen by a cop, and the cop will do nothing, and the "photographer" will be part of some terrorist plan

One of these days there will be an outcry as one of the people who refused to have an RFID GPS chip implanted will be part of a terrorist plan.

hollis_f wrote in post #12972662
One of these days there will be an outcry as one of the people who refused to have an RFID GPS chip implanted will be part of a terrorist plan.

The sound you hear are the chances of a reasonable conversation crashing to the ground...

BreitlingFan wrote in post #12972983
The sound you hear are the chances of a reasonable conversation crashing to the ground...

To sum things up BF, there are too many people eager to preach about rights instead of responsibilities.

David

Woodworker wrote in post #12971496
Policing has become so soft here in the UK that the government is bringing in William Bratton, former commander of the police forces in Los Angeles, New York and Boston to show our police how to deal with riots.

You people in the US should be glad you don't have whimps in fancy dress uniforms standing around watching while thugs loot and set fire to property.

Support your police - don't disable them!!!

David

I agree.
Have to say I was amazed & disgusted with how the police stood by & just watched the rioters create mayhem. A strong swift response was called for, but didn't happen. In Northern Ireland, the police would have used rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannons,baton charges & in some cases, live ammunition to deal with this sort of situation.
Public outcry about police doing their job is one thing, but it's worse when they don't do their job. Too many people feel that everytime a police officer asks them a few questions, that their rights are being violated.