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Policy Number: 408 – Public Recording of Law Enforcement Activity
Effective Date: December 10, 2020
Revision Date: December 10, 2020
Approved By: Brandon Gatlin, Interim Chief of Police

 

408.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

This policy provides guidelines for handling situations in which members of the public photograph or audio/video record law enforcement actions and other public activities that involve members of the à±ßäÂþ»­ Police Department (Department). In addition, this policy provides guidelines for situations where the recordings may be deemed evidence.


408.2 POLICY

This Department recognizes the rights of person(s) to lawfully record members of this Department who are performing their official duties. Members of this Department will not prohibit or intentionally interfere with such lawful recordings. Any recordings that are deemed to be evidence of a crime or relevant to an investigation will only be collected or seized lawfully.

Officers should exercise restraint and should not resort to highly discretionary arrests for offenses such as interfering, failure to comply or disorderly conduct as a means of preventing someone from exercising the right to record Department members in the performance of their official duties.


408.3 RECORDING LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY

Members of the public who wish to record law enforcement activities are limited only in certain aspects.

  1. Recordings may be made from any public place or any private property where the individual has the legal right to be present.
  2. Beyond the act of photographing or recording, individuals may not interfere with law enforcement activity. Examples of interference include, but are not limited to:
    1. Tampering with a witness or suspect.
    2. Inciting others to violate the law.
    3. Being so close to the activity as to present a clear safety hazard to the officers.
    4. Being so close to the activity as to interfere with an officer’s effective communication with a suspect or witness.
  3. The individual may not present an undue safety risk to the officer, him/herself or others.

 
408.4 OFFICER RESPONSE

Officers should promptly request that a supervisor or back-up officer respond to the scene whenever it appears that anyone recording activities may be interfering with an investigation or it is believed that the recording may be evidence. If practicable, officers should wait for the supervisor or back-up officer to arrive before taking enforcement action or seizing any cameras or recording media.

Whenever practicable, officers or supervisors should give clear and concise warnings to individuals who are conducting themselves in a manner that would cause their recording or behavior to be unlawful. Accompanying the warnings should be clear directions on what an individual can do to be compliant; directions should be specific enough to allow compliance. For example, rather than directing an individual to clear the area, an officer could advise the person that s/he may continue observing and recording from the sidewalk across the street.

If an arrest or other significant enforcement activity is taken as the result of a recording that interferes with law enforcement activity, officers shall document in a report the nature and extent of the interference or other unlawful behavior and the warnings that were issued.


408.5 SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES

When available, a supervisor should respond to the scene when requested or any time the circumstances indicate a likelihood of interference or other unlawful behavior.

The supervisor should review the situation with the officer and:

  1. Request any additional assistance as needed to ensure a safe environment.
  2. Take a lead role in communicating with individuals who are observing or recording regarding any appropriate limitations on their location or behavior. When practical, the encounter should be recorded.
  3. When practicable, allow adequate time for individuals to respond to requests for a change of location or behavior.
  4. Ensure that any enforcement, seizure or other actions are consistent with this policy and constitutional and state law.
  5. Explain alternatives for individuals who wish to express concern about the conduct of Department members, such as how and where to file a complaint.


408.6 SEIZING RECORDINGS AS EVIDENCE

Officers should not seize recording devices or media unless:

  1. There is probable cause to believe the person recording has committed or is committing a crime to which the recording relates, and the recording is reasonably necessary for prosecution of the person.
  2. Absent exigency or consent, a warrant should be sought before seizing or viewing such recordings. Reasonable steps may be taken to prevent erasure of the recording.
  3. There is reason to believe that the immediate seizure of such recordings is necessary to prevent serious bodily injury or death of any person.
  4. The person consents.
    1. To ensure that the consent is voluntary, the request should not be made in a threatening or coercive manner.
    2. If the original recording is provided, a copy of the recording should be provided to the recording party, if practicable. The recording party should be permitted to be present while the copy is being made, if feasible.
    3. Another way to obtain the evidence is to transmit a copy of the recording from a device to a Department-owned device.
  5. Recording devices and media that are seized will be submitted and held in accordance with Department policies governing Property and Evidence.

 

 

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