how is it that the police can film me.. and I aint allowed to film them?

Question

try it.................!

hey!! life isn't fair! SO GO WITH THE FLOW??? RIGHT!

Answer 1

Typically in mass public order situations such as protests and riots, the police will film as much of what goes on as possible in order to gather evidence of criminal activity and to identify offenders who cannot be arrested at the time for various reasons. There is various legislation that covers the ability of the police to do this particulalry, the Police and Criminal Evidence Act and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.

As for you filming the police you can do so if you so wish but most Officers will object to it. In fact, Liberty and other so called "Civil Rights" groups will video the police as they operate during public order events. However, answer this question - how would you like it if I came up to you and jammed a video camera in your face as you went about your work? Would you approve? Would you let me get away with it if I wasn't in uniform and just decided as a member of the public that you should be filmed? Wouldn't you be concerned with what I might do with the images or pictures I took of you later on? Wouldn't you wonder what purpose I had for filming you? The difference between the Police filming you and the public filming the Police is that the Police are regulated by the laws of the United Kingdom and are held to account by the Independent Police Complaints Commission, local Police Authorities, individual Chief Constables and ranking Officers and the Home Office. Who regulates you as a member of the public? Yourself and the Police and sometimes what the individual member of the public does is not reasonable or lawful hence the need for the Police to catch said individual when his/her judgment lapses.

Answer 2

In the UK there is a stated case that basically comes down to "The police can film you overtly and in certain cases covertly with authority. You can film public acts and officials doing public acts, ie the police doing their job on the street. It is not an invasion of privacy." Unless you are weird and film coppers walking /driving around on patrol you may find the footage is evidence of something, whatever they were doing for you to be interested enough to film, and it can be seized, no really they can take it off you. You would be entitled to a receipt.

Answer 3

In my experience it's often the other way around.

I've stood on the street doing nothing but trying to stop disorder developing outside a nightclub and some numpty has stood there filming me on his phone. However, when I got my phone out to film him, he didn't like it.

I've been filmed doing my job several times, by members of the public and TV companies (never seen the footage yet though!)

At the end of the day, I do my job to the best of my ability and usually do it right (I'm only human after all and do make the occasional mistake). If someone wants to film that then fine. They obviously need to get out more!

Answer 4

When the police film you, they have to get the correct authorisation under the
Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (or RIPA)
unless it is in response to a incident occurring then and there.

But they have to prove to the police authority that their actions are in compliance with human rights and the intrusion is justifed in relation to the outcome, and that it is necassary to gather evidence, intelligence and prevent or detect crime.

They do all this and they get the vid-cam out

WHO ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE TO?
getting a phone out and filming a public authority? nobody!

Yes the police should be accountable in everything they do, and open and transparent.

but they are also entitled to protection the same as every other citizen of this great country.

So If you are getting your phone out and filming the police action, then remember that under section 19 of the police and criminal evidence act the police can seize your phone as evidence.

MY PERSONAL OPINION
personally when im working, and get into fights or violent arrests, people whip their phones out, i have no problem because im doing everything right and by the book.
But when people start getting in my face and shouting harassment, and shoving phones at me, i start to get the hump a little.
Especially when im trying to get on with my job of dealing with drunken idiots who want to fight each other then take a crack at a coppre, and these prats keep getting in my way.

And worst of all they only see half the story and make their minds up straight away that the police are using exessive force.

im not having a go at the asker, he/she has a very good point, but i do get the hump with idiots

Answer 5

Well police films and audio recordings are a double edged sword. It protects the police and it protect you also. I'm not sure how it arises that they can record you, but I'm sure it revolves around the safety of the officers and to document the events. I.m but sure but i believe one is allowed to film em as long as you are not interfering with their duties.

example: a police recording can disprove a claim of police brutality. A Police recording can prove a technicality in freeing a suspect of a DUI charge. Dont ask, cause i will not tell.

Answer 6

Where did you get this theory from. Anyone can film anyone else in public.

If you can't film a Policeman how come we see pictures of one on the front door of 10 Downing Street every day on the TV?

Don't you watch the news, football matches etc, etc, etc.

Answer 7

haha good answers.

I have a question, did you do it anyway? I did. cops were looking for Armed Suspect in a trailor park and were ganged up around my house. Since no one was interesting in telling me what's going on in my yard with 8 people with assault rifles, I pulled out the ol camcorder and stepped outside. I was immediately told to put the camera away and go away.

I informed the joker that this was my property, and if I was interferring in a police matter, I would go inside as to not impede their pursuit. However I also said " you can't stop me from filming you. " while I was filming him. He looked puzzeled then responded " o.k. I quess? don't know why you'd WANT to?"

my response was " Worlds Stupidest Police Videos"

he didn't like that.

after 4 ours they left. empty handed. and looking like jokes.

Answer 8

Anyone can film anyone else including the police.I have been filmed a number of times by TV cameras.

Answer 9

I remember every time I got jammed up I was looking for the cameras. What's this stuff about not allowing filming of cops.

Cops expect to be filmed, they are paranoid.

Answer 10

I take photos of fire engines and police cars. The police are touchy of you snapping their cars. If its on a public road they cannot stop you.