Illegal to videotape police?

[TrackJunkie]

I just read something interesting. It seems that there's a movement to make it illegal to videotape police officers.
http://gizmodo.com/5553765/are-cameras-the-new-guns

I understand we might have some members around here in the law enforcement community. What's your take on this? Is it that big of a deal to know that the people you deal with can record your actions?

[Rorschach]

Load of crap to be honest, especially in the cases mentioned there.

Here in the UK there's a law against filming police, but for the prevention of officers being targeted during, say, political rallies.
ie. if you go up to an officer, shove a camera in their face and say "I know who you are now, you'll get what's coming", then they can do something about it.

Unfortunately it's been occasionally mis-used, either because the officer/pcso misunderstood the law, or because they're in a pissy mood.
Thankfully the courts aren't idiots, and the charges are usually dropped when they're not justifiable. Not before innocent people have been intimidated and police reputation has been damaged, though.

On a personal level, I have no issue with the idea of being filmed in uniform, as long as it's not in an overtly hostile manner like the previous example and as long as it doesn't interfere with my work.
I'm accountable for every action I take, police should have the confidence in their actions not to fear them being monitored.

[ILiftAlone]

I dont even know what to say. This doesnt seem real.

[MazdaMatt]

Rorsch... Thanks.