Photographing the police (Come on Derek...smile :D)

Russ · 16-02-2009, 11:03

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7888301.stm

If a link to terrorism can be proven, taking a photo of police officers could be illegal...

Delta Whiskey · 16-02-2009, 11:16

It's madness, I could be in trouble for taking a photo like this one from last week.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3298/...aa6b838d_b.jpg

bopdude · 16-02-2009, 11:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delta Whiskey

It's madness, I could be in trouble for taking a photo like this one from last week.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3298/...aa6b838d_b.jpg

Only if your linked to terrorism mate, your not, are you ?

Horace · 16-02-2009, 12:29

"likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism" is incredibly broad and any photo of any Policeman could be construed as such.

This basically makes any kind of demonstration where the police may be present, pointless, since the whole of point demonstrations is to draw attention through the media.

Still, if you've done nothing wrong you've got nothing to fear..as long as you don't intend trying to prove yourself innocent with photographic evidence.

punky · 16-02-2009, 13:21

All cops are different and when presented with woolly law descriptions from the government, they always apply it differently. That would the government's fault for wording the laws so loosely.

From all the coppers I have ever known (and I have known a lot), none have ever refused a photograph or argued against having a photo taken providing the photographer had good intentions (like DW's photo). However, that doesn't extend to:

1. The pond life that turn up to photograph a pedestrian or motorist smeared across the road so they can take the photo home and furiously masturbate over it later.

2. When cops are struggling to control violent, drug-crazed and mostly armed clients/customers/****, they don't need wannabe papps a few inches from their face shouting and trying to incite the situation.

If anyone agrees with #2, I could turn up while they are at work, constantly videoing goading them and threatening to post it on Youtube, and see how well they do their job. Its not easy, even without the violent, armed, drug-crazed criminals.

This law was drafted to prevent a reoccurence of the situation we had before when a Muslim British soldier was targetted for kidknapp and summary (Youtube) execution. To think anyone who has a hi-vi jacket in the corner of their photo should just turn themselves in is rubbish.

---------- Post added at 13:21 ---------- Previous post was at 13:09 ----------

Also, another thing to bear in mind: coppers are people too. Like others, they might be photophobic and not want their photos taken and plastered all over the public. It would be nice if photographers respected that as well as the others who don't want their photo taken and (mis) used.

Derek · 16-02-2009, 16:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by punky

2. When cops are struggling to control violent, drug-crazed and mostly armed clients/customers/****, they don't need wannabe papps a few inches from their face shouting and trying to incite the situation.

And there are plenty of people who will do that. Where I work there are at least two people well known for skulking about the town centre at weekends with cameraphones and putting edited highlights onto Youtube. Arresting a struggling bag of cocaine, alcohol, tattoos and muscle isn't pretty at the best of times and when certain sections of the incident are removed or glossed over it can look even worse.

Quote:

Originally Posted by punky

Also, another thing to bear in mind: coppers are people too. Like others, they might be photophobic and not want their photos taken and plastered all over the public.

Plus the uniform makes you look fat

**Hugh** · 16-02-2009, 17:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek S

Plus the uniform makes you look fat

That'll be the body armour, slim-boy!

Delta Whiskey · 16-02-2009, 17:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by bopdude

Only if your linked to terrorism mate, your not, are you ?

Under the act they could decide I was, arrest me and use the photograph as evidence to send me down. This is what is being fought against.

Derek · 16-02-2009, 17:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by foreverwar

That'll be the body armour, slim-boy!

Errr of course. Not a fish-supper, McDonalds, kebab, curry or KFC has ever passed my lips when on duty

Will21st · 16-02-2009, 22:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek S

Errr of course. Not a fish-supper, McDonalds, kebab, curry or KFC has ever passed my lips when on duty

Nope,it was Dunkin' Donuts instead

chaos23 · 17-02-2009, 23:07

Although they can film you without permission, you will find yourself breaking the law if you film them.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7888301.stm

This is just another piece of the jigsaw to completion of a Police State.

Derek · 18-02-2009, 07:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaos23

This is just another piece of the jigsaw to completion of a Police State.

You aren't being paranoid.

WE ARE OUT TO GET YOU!

jonbxx · 18-02-2009, 08:45

I bet the RUC wished this law existed in the 70s and 80s in Northern Ireland though

chaos23 · 18-02-2009, 08:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by bopdude

Only if your linked to terrorism mate, your not, are you ?

They will use this against anyone they want to. There have been example of them using anti terror laws against people who are not terrorists.

Russ · 18-02-2009, 10:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaos23

They will use this against anyone they want to.

What??

Think of all the motorists they'll be missing out on catching....