After a recent string of arrests for videotaping law enforcement officers, the internet has been buzzing with talk over whether or not it should be legal to videotape police officers while they are performing their duties. Depending on the state that you are located in, the penalty could either be a misdemeanor or even a felony. Take a look at Carlos Millers story on the South Florida model who was jailed overnight and originally charged with a felony for videotaping Boynton Beach Police Officers in 2009.
Law enforcement officers all over the U.S. argue that being filmed interferes with their investigation and is a danger to their safety. This position of police officers however, must be balanced with the safety and constitutional rights of civilians who all to often become the victim of over zealous police misconduct.
Lets take a look back at some of the more recent videos which further enforce the point that videotaping Cops should always be legal.
10. Police Brutality: Cop Slams Elderly Woman’s Head On The Concrete.
9. Police Brutality at Ultra Music Festival, Miami, 2007
Cop beating the crap out of some guy. I am sure the guy was on drugs, maybe even dealing drugs. Still doesnt warrant the cop beating him sensless. This clip is only the middle of the fight. I didnt have my phone ready and I stopped right as the crowd started to react to the violence. Added: It seems from reading the comments there are some people saying that this does not look like brutality. What the video does not show is the beginning part that grabbed my attention in the first place; which was the cop jumping the guy and punching him several times, thus the bloody nose.
8. Woman arrested for DWI, beat by police off camera
A police officer has been fired after an incident in which a female prisoner, who was taken into custody on suspicion of DWI, wound up lying on the police station floor in a pool of blood. Much of what happened was recorded on a videotape, but there is a gap of undetermined length.
7. South Carolina Police Brutality
6. Fort Lauderdale PD police brutality
5. Surveillance video shows Fort Lauderdale police beating man in elevator
After a beat down in an elevator, Joshua Daniel Ortiz ended up with his nose broken and facing a charge of battering a Fort Lauderdale police officer. The 22-year-old man was surprised and delighted to learn Wednesday that Broward prosecutors were dropping the case against him after reviewing an elevator surveillance video showing three officers aggressively rush and beat Ortiz to the ground.
4. Utah Police Brutality
“Comes back at me, and falls down on the freaking ground…. Yeah, he just fell here and passed out.” – Millard County deputy Crete Carter
3. Hollywood PD Frame Driver On Tape!
“We’re going to bend this a little bit” – Officer Dewey Pressley, a 21 yearr veteran
2. SFPD Officer Threatens to Break Skater’s Arm “Like a Twig”
1. Rodney King