photographing police actions
May 12, 2012 12:04:25 #
My ? is ,is it legal for me to listen to my scanner and show up at a police action and photograph them? maybe some pro's could shed light on this?
May 12, 2012 12:09:35 #
As long as you're on public property, you can photography anything you like.
But just because you can doesn't mean you should. Be respectful about it.
But just because you can doesn't mean you should. Be respectful about it.
May 12, 2012 12:18:27 #
It is legal in my state (Tennessee) and depends on what you photograph when you arrive. If there is no expectation of privacy then there is no problem. With that being said I can say that if you beat me to a crime scene and photograph a dead person lying in the street with a knife sticking out of their chest I may confiscate your camera gear as evidence...If it is not evidence then after the trial you will get it back. That is an extreme case I grant you but it COULD happen. If you publish a crime scene photograph (small as it may seem)and it causes embarrassment to someone (say a loved one burning in a wreck) another extreme case then you could be liable...or not. That is a loaded question you asked. Hope this helps.
May 12, 2012 12:19:14 #
And just because you're allowed doesn't mean the cops won't try to search, arrest, beat, or harrass you ...
May 12, 2012 13:06:13 #
donrent
Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl
Of course its legal , as long as you do not interfer with the police doing their duty... Don't try and do any "close up" pic taking or they'll be on you quickly...
May 12, 2012 13:38:18 #
About 20 years ago, I'm riding the bus to work. We get stuck in traffic that I soon learn is due to a jumper from a freeway overpass.
The woman is close to my window so I am stuck in traffic, transfixed on this dead body.
A little kid dashes through the police with a little camera, gets right up on the body and snaps a couple of shots. The kid dashes away. This happens so fast that non of the police seem to react.
To this day, I wonder what the kid planned to do with the shots.
Go back about 5 years previous. I am sitting on a bench at a bus stop and I hear tires squealing and a crash or two. I see a car flying through the air a few feet from me. It was twisting as it flew. I was in a state of shock and couldn't turn my head to follow it. I heard the crash and heard the voices of the people trapped inside saying 'help me' over and over again. I couldn't move, but other people ran to their aid. I'm sure that there was a camera or two on the scene as well.
Why would anyone want a picture of that?
Two months or so ago, I am stuck on the 10 freeway on the way to church. Traffic is horrible and we are moving slowly. There is a car stopped on the side of the road and a female cop is there with her weapon drawn. Both hands on the weapon, crouched slightly with both arms straight out before her. She is moving slowly toward the window.
Camera is in my backpack on the floor near the wife--would have time to take a shot. But the previous memories come back and I ask myself 'why do I need a picture of that?'
The woman is close to my window so I am stuck in traffic, transfixed on this dead body.
A little kid dashes through the police with a little camera, gets right up on the body and snaps a couple of shots. The kid dashes away. This happens so fast that non of the police seem to react.
To this day, I wonder what the kid planned to do with the shots.
Go back about 5 years previous. I am sitting on a bench at a bus stop and I hear tires squealing and a crash or two. I see a car flying through the air a few feet from me. It was twisting as it flew. I was in a state of shock and couldn't turn my head to follow it. I heard the crash and heard the voices of the people trapped inside saying 'help me' over and over again. I couldn't move, but other people ran to their aid. I'm sure that there was a camera or two on the scene as well.
Why would anyone want a picture of that?
Two months or so ago, I am stuck on the 10 freeway on the way to church. Traffic is horrible and we are moving slowly. There is a car stopped on the side of the road and a female cop is there with her weapon drawn. Both hands on the weapon, crouched slightly with both arms straight out before her. She is moving slowly toward the window.
Camera is in my backpack on the floor near the wife--would have time to take a shot. But the previous memories come back and I ask myself 'why do I need a picture of that?'
May 12, 2012 13:45:04 #
because somtimes even the police need policing at least on your last example,i really was not thinking of suicide or car wrecks.Just wondered about photo journalism
May 12, 2012 14:55:59 #
Wow....looks like Stef C is some what anti-law enforcement...must have had a bad experience with the police..
And omnila? Sounds like you want to police the police...sorry my answer was real.
And omnila? Sounds like you want to police the police...sorry my answer was real.
May 12, 2012 15:55:11 #
TRUTH: As long as you are shooting from a place where you have a legal right to be (i.e publi property or private property with permission) and not impeding an investigation or police operation you can take all the photos you like. Also, an officer cannot sieze or impound your camera legally as evidence until they have obtained a warrant. The US Supreme court has recently opined all of the above.
REALITY: Police do not like being filmed or photgraphed doing their job for some reason. I am one and it has never bothered me but the majority of my brothers in blue just don't like it. That said, there are many police officers out there that truely believe they can tell someone they cannot take photos of them, a crime scene or some other (photographic) scene and WILL seize your equipment, arrest you, cite you or try to intimidate you. Obviously, in light of Supreme Court decisions, you will ultimately prevail and get your camera back. The question is, is it worth it to you to go through all of that and getting it resolved (sometime MUCH) later when you encounter an officer that doesn't know the law?
My advice is shoot what you like from a position you have a right to be. If an officer approaches you and tells you to stop photographing decide how to proceed based on the demeanor he presents to you. If (s)he comes off as rude, arrogant or confrnational decide to walk away and then file a complaint with the departments administration OR argue with him and risk a lengthy vindication you won't initially win. If the officer seems reasonable in his approach to you I suggest a polite reminder to him(her) that you are on public property (or private property w/ permission as the case may be)taking photographs of events unprotected by privacy laws.
Hope this helps you make an informed decision.
REALITY: Police do not like being filmed or photgraphed doing their job for some reason. I am one and it has never bothered me but the majority of my brothers in blue just don't like it. That said, there are many police officers out there that truely believe they can tell someone they cannot take photos of them, a crime scene or some other (photographic) scene and WILL seize your equipment, arrest you, cite you or try to intimidate you. Obviously, in light of Supreme Court decisions, you will ultimately prevail and get your camera back. The question is, is it worth it to you to go through all of that and getting it resolved (sometime MUCH) later when you encounter an officer that doesn't know the law?
My advice is shoot what you like from a position you have a right to be. If an officer approaches you and tells you to stop photographing decide how to proceed based on the demeanor he presents to you. If (s)he comes off as rude, arrogant or confrnational decide to walk away and then file a complaint with the departments administration OR argue with him and risk a lengthy vindication you won't initially win. If the officer seems reasonable in his approach to you I suggest a polite reminder to him(her) that you are on public property (or private property w/ permission as the case may be)taking photographs of events unprotected by privacy laws.
Hope this helps you make an informed decision.
May 12, 2012 16:15:07 #
Might I also suggest the following links that more adequately adress this issue than I can.
http://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/pdf.opinions/10-1764P-01A.pdf
http://www.universalhub.com/2011/court-says-state-law-banning-recording-police-offi
http://www.splc.org/news/report_detail.asp?id=1613&edition=56
http://www.rcfp.org/node/98355
http://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/pdf.opinions/10-1764P-01A.pdf
http://www.universalhub.com/2011/court-says-state-law-banning-recording-police-offi
http://www.splc.org/news/report_detail.asp?id=1613&edition=56
http://www.rcfp.org/node/98355
May 12, 2012 19:00:49 #
There are good cops, and there are jack-booted thugs.
Just can't tell what you'll meet wearing the uniform.
The cop CAN tell you to stop taking photos and move on.
IF you don't do what he tells you, you will be arrested & camera confiscated for failure to comply.
IF you are on public property - he cannot confiscate your equipment UNLESS you give him a reason - which he MAY be looking for.
If you are on private property - all bets are off.
If you are photographing a military base from a public site - take your photos quickly and get the heck out !!
Unless, of course, you are at an Air Show.
Just can't tell what you'll meet wearing the uniform.
The cop CAN tell you to stop taking photos and move on.
IF you don't do what he tells you, you will be arrested & camera confiscated for failure to comply.
IF you are on public property - he cannot confiscate your equipment UNLESS you give him a reason - which he MAY be looking for.
If you are on private property - all bets are off.
If you are photographing a military base from a public site - take your photos quickly and get the heck out !!
Unless, of course, you are at an Air Show.
May 12, 2012 19:22:05 #
I think Stef and Patrick summed it up well. Keep in mind that if your equipment is confiscated, when you get it back it may not work anymore.
May 12, 2012 20:02:36 #
Wabbit
Loc: Arizona Desert
hlmichel wrote:
About 20 years ago, I'm riding the bus to work. W... (show quote)
Hey Doc ...... you're just not into street photography ....... Photojournalists earn a living from it
May 12, 2012 20:03:57 #
Wabbit
Loc: Arizona Desert
omnila wrote:
My ? is ,is it legal for me to listen to my scanner and show up at a police action and photograph them? maybe some pro's could shed light on this?
Hey Doc .... police scanners are illegal for the general public's use in some states ....
May 12, 2012 20:05:24 #
Patrick is right in most respects...I am a cop too...And being an Investigator I "may take you camera as evidence" is dependent on several factors. But I DO NOT need a warrant in the county I work in to seize evidence.
Not too long ago I was pursued and pulled over by a police officer because I pointed a video camera at him. He asked for mine and my wife's drivers license after the stop. I told him who I was and to quit being silly and he went away. Had that been another person who knows how far he would have gone. THAT could be the cop you photograph one day.
Not too long ago I was pursued and pulled over by a police officer because I pointed a video camera at him. He asked for mine and my wife's drivers license after the stop. I told him who I was and to quit being silly and he went away. Had that been another person who knows how far he would have gone. THAT could be the cop you photograph one day.
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