Generally, I regard the police fairly highly because they generally maintain order, but some of their actions are not particularly ethical, and the problem is that they ccasionally attempt to operate above the law. Police however are getting really nervous because technology is throwing the power is being thrown back into the hands of citizens when they try to bully people or act unethical. It used to be the officer's word against a citizen's word in the court, and they would always favor the officer, but when you get electronic media in the hands of the citizen, there's much more than just verbality involved.
When I am on my job, I am a representative of my company, and I am responsible for what comes out of my mouth as a representitive of my business I work for, and so is everyone else there. In the case of a police officer, the same thing holds true, That police officer is responsible for his words and actions as a representative of the law enforcement organization, along with the other officiers there, and he can be held accountable for it. I have had people try and spin my words in an attempt to short me or my company, or simply to stir up trouble. I wish I had a recorder like this man does, because verbal communication is worth only the breath you took in to make it in this day and age. We have had to go to written signatures on paper documents for everything we do because I have found verbal communications means NOTHING in the business world! I have had people say that want this and hire us to do that, but when the bill comes through they turn their story around and say "we didn't authorize that"...of course, they can't pull that crap anymore if I have a signed document! It would work just as nice if I was with someone, and they said "change those speakers" and I have it recorded so when they come back and say "I didn't authorize you to change those speakers!" I can roll the footage!
In front of my shop the police like to ticket people for running the red lights at the intersection. Well, I walked outside with a camcorder for a few minutes to test it after I repaired it, and rolled some footage of the intersection. It was the first time I was out there for any length of time to see what was actually going on, but I noticed the timing of the traffic light was unusually short, and the traffic signal was only letting 2-3 cars through in a line of about 12-15 or so, then the police officer would stop whatever driver would try to sneak through on the end of the cycle. After I taped the footage and went back inside, a police officer, whom I imagine was the same one busting drivers, stopped by the shop, and started questioning people. Apparently, he did not get a good look at me, because he looked right at me and I just played dumb. He said that he would like the media erased that the person used to record the intersection and the traffic stops made, and that he doesn't want to catch anyone out there again with recording equipment!
Apparently, the officer was a bit nervous over his deeds of short-cycling the traffic light so he could entrap people for running it! As for the video, this is a public location, so I have full right to videotape what is going on outside my shop on a taxpayer-purchased road! I have not broken any law here!
As far as this man with the tape recorder goes, it's a similar sitation, he has gone through all provisions to inform other citizens that he records conversations, so it's not like he is trying to hide anything. The police officer is probably worried that his actions can be accounted for!, which they should, as he is representing the law. He may have personal opinions about this man recording him, but they should be left at home when puts his uniform on, just as I leave my personal opinions at home when I got to my job! I don't see why his tape recorder is an issue, and this man should throw the book at the officier for harassing him, for he has broken no law!! ! There's no reason why an individual citizen cannot "hire an electronic lawyer" as I would call it!
...Yes, as an audiovisual technician, I am VERY familiar with the laws as far as when, where, and how someone can be recorded, and how it can be carried out!
04 May 2008, 5:48 pm
