Don't film the cops in Miami...

[Nietzsche]

Many states have laws going on the books making filming the police a felony. However, the blue line goon squads are out in force to protect themselves from liability...

Link


The militarization of the state and the growing insularity of state activity is becoming a bit alarming...

-N

[priam11]

Wow..you must have brought out your "Jump To Conclusions" mat today.

[Friendo1231]

Wow..you must have brought out your "Jump To Conclusions" mat today.

Took the words right out of my mouth.

[Nietzsche]

Wow..you must have brought out your "Jump To Conclusions" mat today.

Nah, not really. I think the article is a great platform for the discussion about whether the police have the right to force a citizen to give up any recorded media. The circumstances of the article not-withstanding, I find it alarming that the police seem to think that they require anonymity and secrecy to perform public service.

[(s)AINT]

That video does not prove anything. It just shows the police using deadly force.

Point of thread again please? Or is this just another troll thread?

[Hotspur]

Many states have laws going on the books making filming the police a felony,

Just two, actually. Illinois and Massachusetts, and in Massachusetts it is only illegal if it is done secretly.

There has yet to be a conviction.

[GrnEyedDvl]

Just two, actually. Illinois and Massachusetts, and in Massachusetts it is only illegal if it is done secretly.

Actually its 12 states, or was as of last year.

There has yet to be a conviction.

Most of the time they work out a deal. That doesnt mean people just get off, many of them have to pay bail and all kinds of other legal fees. They tried to give this guy 16 years, fortunately a judge threw the case out.

I should also add, that had this been me, there would have been a gunfight right then and there. A guy cuts you off on the highway, and jumps out with a gun? He doesnt identify himself, and even if he does its an unmarked car and a plainclothes detective (whats a detective performing a traffic stop for anyways). Watch the video and tell me how you would react. If thats me, he gets shot, and no Colorado state law would hold me accountable.

[Hotspur]

Actually its 12 states, or was as of last year.



Most of the time they work out a deal. That doesnt mean people just get off, many of them have to pay bail and all kinds of other legal fees. They tried to give this guy 16 years, fortunately a judge threw the case out.

I should also add, that had this been me, there would have been a gunfight right then and there. A guy cuts you off on the highway, and jumps out with a gun? He doesnt identify himself, and even if he does its an unmarked car and a plainclothes detective (whats a detective performing a traffic stop for anyways). Watch the video and tell me how you would react. If thats me, he gets shot, and no Colorado state law would hold me accountable.

The laws in those other ten full-consent states include the exception for recording in public places where there is no expectation of privacy.

[Captain Jin]

Are you seriously telling me the professionals of Miami-Dade are up to no good? They are all about public awareness and keeping people safe. Just have a look at this;

[Nietzsche]

Are you seriously telling me the professionals of Miami-Dade are up to no good? They are all about public awareness and keeping people safe. Just have a look at this;

Ew... I'm not going to bother looking into the reasons behind that satire (?). Super Troopers had more professionalism...

[GrnEyedDvl]

The laws in those other ten full-consent states include the exception for recording in public places where there is no expectation of privacy.

Its been a big deal here along with other places. This year 5 cops have been fired, at least 3 I can remember were caught on video tape. Denver had a "policy" of stamping down on people recording them that has really backfired on them. Now we have a review board that consists of people other than cops. There have been some issues with that board too, as you can imagine the first people on it were so anti-police it was ridiculous. Now that we have a new mayor as of last week, he can appoint new people to that board.

[Hotspur]

Its been a big deal here along with other places. This year 5 cops have been fired, at least 3 I can remember were caught on video tape. Denver had a "policy" of stamping down on people recording them that has really backfired on them. Now we have a review board that consists of people other than cops. There have been some issues with that board too, as you can imagine the first people on it were so anti-police it was ridiculous. Now that we have a new mayor as of last week, he can appoint new people to that board.

Oh, there's no question that police in some areas are intimidating the hell out people who are filming them, but any charges are dropped or dismissed. Illinois is the only state where filming a cop walking down the street is a felony, whereas the OP declares "Many states".

In a lot of ways, this reminds me of the pushback that occurred when police interrogations started to be filmed.

[mp0295]

a) What right do police have to destroy private property (Cell phone). Wouldn't that also be destruction of evidence?
b) Even with the heat of the situation, why would that cop ever point his gun at an innocent man?
I would serverly punish him for that, point a gun over a cell phone. That just shows a gun-happy idiot. Don't the mariens have strict rules on guns? I would like to hear a Marine's opinion on it.

[kentuckybandit]

a) What right do police have to destroy private property (Cell phone). Wouldn't that also be destruction of evidence?
b) Even with the heat of the situation, why would that cop ever point his gun at an innocent man?
I would serverly punish him for that, point a gun over a cell phone. That just shows a gun-happy idiot. Don't the mariens have strict rules on guns? I would like to hear a Marine's opinion on it.

I agree. I was reading this story on MSNBC was actually not all that alarmed by it until it stated that weapons were drawn on the couple as they attempted to get into their car to leave. Now I admit if a cop told me to stand on my head and pee into my mouth I would probably do it just out of fear so he will go away and not arrest me, but in this situation, I can't blame these people for trying to leave. In a state with no law banning the filming of police, agitated officers bullying the crowd after just gunning someone down, I would want to leave too.

[TSD]

a) What right do police have to destroy private property (Cell phone). Wouldn't that also be destruction of evidence?
b) Even with the heat of the situation, why would that cop ever point his gun at an innocent man?
I would serverly punish him for that, point a gun over a cell phone. That just shows a gun-happy idiot. Don't the mariens have strict rules on guns? I would like to hear a Marine's opinion on it.

from the mouth of babes.

I wont even try to explain the complexities. I am not a cop, but I served a tour in afghanistan and I assure you in a fire fight, you will point your weapon at anyone without your nations flag on their shoulder. Sure they may have no ill intentions, but when my life and my buddies lives are on the line, I would rather have the upper hand in the situation in the situation that isnt the case, being a nice guy gets you dead.

Civilians have a habit of not understanding that. The cops didnt know who might react to what they had to do, and retaliate. Its so easy to view the situation from the comfort of your own home, and know for a fact the others posed the cops no threat. The cops were afraid, they didnt know who would shoot at them at that point, CYA. The camera/cellphone destroying incidents are hearsay at this point (I am not denying it, but I need evidence) You cant understand how to react to such a situation until you are in that situation and I will end my comment there.

[kentuckybandit]

I wont even try to explain the complexities. I am not a cop, but I served a tour in afghanistan and I assure you in a fire fight, you will point your weapon at anyone without your nations flag on their shoulder. Sure they may have no ill intentions, but when my life and my buddies lives are on the line, I would rather have the upper hand in the situation in the situation that isnt the case, being a nice guy gets you dead.

Civilians have a habit of not understanding that. The cops didnt know who might react to what they had to do, and retaliate. Its so easy to view the situation from the comfort of your own home, and know for a fact the others posed the cops no threat. The cops were afraid, they didnt know who would shoot at them at that point, CYA. The camera/cellphone destroying incidents are hearsay at this point (I am not denying it, but I need evidence) You cant understand how to react to such a situation until you are in that situation and I will end my comment there.

Being in a hostile situation in a foreign country is a bit different than being a police officer in an American city. Do you really think it is OK for police to point weapons at anyone just so they can have the upper hand? Our cities are not combat zones as much as some police would like is to believe. It really comes down to training. While some cities have very fine and well trained police forces, many do not and I do not want a jumpy poorly trained police man pointing guns at people who are not threats. That is much different than highly trained infantry securing a combat zone.

[priam11]

Being in a hostile situation in a foreign country is a bit different than being a police officer in an American city.

Yes in some cases it is much worse.

[Kanaric]

Yes in some cases it is much worse.

When people are filming you giving a beat down to people? Its worse because here they can get in trouble for it, in Egypt not so much.

[(s)AINT]

You do not know what they were thinking. They probably thought the couple was involved in the shooting and didn't want them leaving. And if there's just been an officer involved shooting a minute ago - they're going to have their weapons out and pointed at you (while you're in the car) and not being compliant. For all they know you have a weapon and you are going to shoot at them.

Who knows.

Don't point fingers when you only have 1 side of the story.

[Rolling Thunder]

You do not know what they were thinking. They probably thought the couple was involved in the shooting and didn't want them leaving. And if there's just been an officer involved shooting a minute ago - they're going to have their weapons out and pointed at you (while you're in the car) and not being compliant. For all they know you have a weapon and you are going to shoot at them.

Except for the absence of weapons or threatening body language, of course.