Cop accosts videographer, steals camera

This incident took place March 1st, 2009 at approximately 4:15pm in Monroe Park, Richmond, VA, USA.
A group was feeding the homeless under a shelter in the park, and the officer was in the process of ordering group members to identify themselves and then leave.
The VCU campus police officer identified himself as "Corporal Lee", with badge number 185. He and a white female officer arrived in a squad car with license 53-107S.

The VCU Police Department claims they "want to hear from you", and that "all complaints will be investigated". You can contact them at 804-828-1196. Ask for the supervisor on duty.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• police
• repression
• censorship
• harassment
• abuse of power
• cops
• camera
• photographer
• civil liberties
• rights
• oversight
• copwatch

[trentlot1]

Having spent 15 years in law enforcement I can tell you all that it is not illegal to photograph, or video, police officers performing their duties as long as you don't interfere or obstruct. The fact is that NO ONE on public space has a reasonable expectation of privacy. People might not lilt being photographed, but it IS NOT illegal.

[toolmkr1]

I agree with the premise of the video. If cops have nothing to hide they wouldn't mind being recorded but I think you were pressing your luck here.

You walk up into a a private conversation. In many states it is illegal to voice record.

If you want to record public officials, why not do it properly?

Don't get in the way and make sure you are not on private property.

You are just trying to give the cop a reason to harass you.

As far as the cop goes, I can't believe that' he's a training officer.

[1775novten]

@toolmkr1 Correction, it may not just apply to phone calls, but I think the issue is secrecy. Again if you announce it or if it's visibly obvious that you are being recorded, then it is not being done in secrecy.

[1775novten]

@toolmkr1 Again, I believe you are referring to the wire tap law which applies to phone calls. I have heard of people being charged (not sure about convicted) for audio recording in secrecy, but if your camera is in plain view or if you announce "I'm audio and video recording" then you have met the requirements of the law. Check out Glik v Cunniffe, which was heard by the Federal Court of Appeals.

[toolmkr1]

@1775novten All party consent is required in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Washington.

In Illinois, Massachusetts, and Maryland it is illegal to film the police in any way and these states do prosecute.

[1775novten]

@toolmkr1 You say that in many states it is illegal to voice record - can you name one of them? I have seen many recent cases where police have tried to enact the "wire tap" law to video recorders in public and the courts have thrown them out. One of the cases even went up to a District Court, which held that public servants should expect to be recorded in the public. I'm not aware of any State that would charge someone for this - maybe I'm wrong.

[MrStewpidassle]

There goes your freedom America, this country NEEDS a revolution! YOU need to decide if you want to be on the side of freedom, or if you want these little dictators to rule your world.

This has nothing to do with "laws and regulations" because that shit doesn't matter when you have a trained killer with an itchy trigger finger enforcing their INDIVIDUAL assumptions of what you should and should not do upon you. You can't expect to obtain freedom by peacefully arguing, you need to FIGHT BACK!!!

[EnochianBorg]

@mvallin Exactly, you can't just walk in to the middle of an investigation. But you can safely record in a public place from a safe distance and from within if you are involved or being detained for questioning. You do not have to have permission to audio record in a public place and wiretap laws do not apply since no wires are being taped. You also don't need permission to document events in a public place unless the event is otherwise closed to the public by permit itself.

[EnochianBorg]

@Mindcrime121 Yes, I agree with you. Safe Distance is always a good thing. There is a fine line between interfering and safely documenting an occurring moment. When news gathering or just recording in public I always keep a safe distance as well as interact with officers and other public workers doing their jobs to ascertain the safe buffer from any dangers. I also use common sense to determine where I should or should not be first. I think the cameraman in this video was too "in your face"

[Mindcrime121]

@Mindcrime121 Correction: it's not ONLY about privacy is what I meant to say. There are other considerations, and the situation at hand can vary greatly.

[Mindcrime121]

@EnochianBorg It's not about privacy or being rude, it's about the cop interviewing the individual knowing that you're at a safe distance in case the suspect decides to fight, or in case you are actually there to jack the cop and help the suspect escape. It's a safety issue.

[EnochianBorg]

@Mindcrime121 So you can't approach them but they can approach you and interfere with your day all day long? I guess I see your point also but if there was something private about the conversation the officer had other options too, like detaining the man or putting him in a car and interviewing him privately. It was rude in a way but being rude isn't an excuse to violate someones rights.