MartyJ

I used to listen to short wave about 20 years ago. At that time FCC rules said you could not repeat what you here and I believe maybe use the info for personal gain. This may not be the current rules.
It would be a good idea to call the Federal Communications Committee to verify current rules.
Marty

rabbi2 Loc: Lancashire UK

Here in the UK, a scanner is legal providing you don't act on information received.
Anyone who takes a photograph that would help the police and help obtain a conviction or exonerate someone, then I think it would be their civic duty to hand over the photograp to the authorities.

william48 Loc: New Philadelphia,Ohio

It depends where you live. In Chicago Ill it is a felony. With
being said, they are currently tring to get that law changed because they are going to have an internation convention this summer.

russelray Loc: La Mesa CA

I think they are called "ambulance chasers" and "paparazzi." :)

nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

Ah, you just hit the "nail on the head." Even though your state may be wide open regarding what you can do on public property, the use of scanners (which is ok in every state I have lived), and rules regarding expectations of privacy, images for profit (model releases needed), reporting news (model releases not needed)....whatever, the KEY is ...DO THE POLICE KNOW THE LAW? Good chance they do not!....and because of this, they may go from one extreme to another - particularly if you become nuisance, snapping away, during their investigation.

Here common sense must play a role. You surely can't mess up an investigation scene looking for a pic.....but staying away, out of everyone's way is sound advice when photographing about everything.

After 9-11, there were photographers being picked up and questioned for taking pictures of sky scrappers, bridges, and on and on......landscapes that before 9-11 were rather routine photography targets.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Lots of opinions and speculation on this topic. Has anyone actually done what Omnila is asking?

dtcracer

It should not be a problem as long as you are not interfering or impeding the police in doing their jobs, as long as you are on public property and not where you don't belong. As a former officer I never had a problem with people taking pictures or videos of me doing my job because I always tried to act professionally. There are many articles in law enforcement literature and periodocals warning officers of citizens with cameras, and advising them on the laws pertaining to such. Most officers know the laws, and will respect your right to have a camera and take pictures. There are those who will not, and in my opinion are the ones who have something to hide. If they are doing their jobs right and not violating any laws, or anyones civil rights they should have nothing to worry about. However, there have been those videos that have been taken of police actions, and then edited and published to make the police seem to be in the wrong, using excessive force, etc, while editing out the action of the suspect that shows where the officers were justified in their actions. That being said, just keep in mind, if you start showing up at multiple crime scenes, etc, you may get someones attention, and they may start questioning why you are always there and you may bring unwanted attention to yourself.

Al McPhee Loc: Boston, Massachusetts

I often do, as a retired firefighter and freelance photographer for the local paper. I have not been bothered as long as I remain out of the active incident area. I take a few photos that I do not submit because they are gory, intrusive, or sensational without being newsworthy.
It is (in Mass.) legal, can be interesting and on more than one occasion the images have been used by the police or individuals that want them for insurance/legal use.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Do a Search on this site, and you will see lots of discussions about this. Yes, you are allowed to take pictures, and no, the police are not allowed to tell you to stop or to take your camera. That would be theft. In this country and all around the world there are examples of police abusing photographers. The photographers win when the case eventually comes to court, but do you really want to go through all that?

Of course, you also have to realize that with a uniform and a gun, they can do whatever they want, so be cautious.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Thanks Al. So it sounds like you have credentials to shoot crime and or accident scenes through your local paper. Sounds like a great gig.

Al McPhee Loc: Boston, Massachusetts

I do enjoy it, and make enough to support my habit (Nikon Acquisition Syndrome!). Freelancers here do not get police passes, but familiarity, cooperation and respect make for generally good working conditions. Cops and firefighters like to see themselves in action. Don't hesitate to send a few along to your local workers. They sometimes put them on the department websites and professional forums. They seldom have an opportunity to get the shots themselves.

rainbowstew Loc: Park Hills KY

Some of this will depend on state law of the state you are in, probably. I personally think anybody should have the right to photograph or video-record any public employee doing their job, since their salary is being paid with taxpayers' money. It might be that the best way to do this is to have one of these ball point pens with a video camera built into it and have it in your pocket, where it would hardly be noticeable, and discreetly turn it on at the right time.

Darryl88 Loc: New Zealand

Over here in New Zealand you can legally own/listen to a police scanner (tow truck vultures do it all the time) but you are not allowed use or repeat any info you hear on your scanner. In NZ the police WOULD NOT DARE to try and take your camera from you. Also in NZ you ONLY HAVE TO supply the police with your name address and age until you are under arrest....and once you are under arrest you don't have to say another word. I have always noticed on USA police reality programs that we get here, all the 'crimes' call the police officers 'sir'....if you called a police officer sir over here he would think you were taking the piss outa him! Maybe it's the guns eh! Darryl

Bartulius Loc: Bristol, Ct

Sometimes its all in how a photograph is interpreted.
In a high school class we were shown a photo of a standing man with his hand extended. His face displayed no emotion.
We were asked to write what we saw.
Some wrote he was accepting/taking something.
Others wrote he was giving away something.
A few of us said he was about to shake hands.
A few others suggested he may be reaching to steady himself or reaching for a doorknob.
My point is your photo may only be your interpretation; not as others see the situation.

Mermade Loc: Mississippi

One of the guys in the http://motorhomediaries.com/ was videoing the officer who stopped the guys in Mississippi. It is legal to video/photography officers in the line of duty in Mississippi. Check out their website to see how the officer erased the video and returned the camera. Later, the guys had the an expert recover the video to show the reality of what happened during the stop. I photographed wrecks for insurance companies in my 20's to make extra money. As a paralegal for the past 23 years, I've photographed more "legal" evidence than anything else. I have only had one problem with an officer over the years. I gave up and moved on. It wasn't worth the hassle.