Photographing law enforcement officers

[Earth_First]

Anyone have experience with this?

I'm shooting an event as a non-press photographer which is targeting the FBI at a Federal Building.

[blueraven95]

1. you should check out Raging_in_Miami's site

It's not exactly what you are talking about, but it is about photographing police officers.

Here you go:

http://www.pixiq.com/contributors/248


:hi:

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

2. are you going to be outside?

is this a protest?

[Earth_First]

3. Yes, and yes...

It's a solidarity event.

[Earth_First]

4. Another question:

It is my understanding that a "subpoena would be required for confiscation of any equipment which may assist officers in the investigation of a crime"

Is that just limited to the media storage device, or up to or including any equipment in committing a supposed 'crime'

[handmade34]

5. I don't know rules

and I suspect it is a good idea to know before you shoot... good luck. Your question just made me think of last summer when I was working in LaPlace, LA and traveling by the oil refineries I stopped along the road and took some pictures of the place(Shell, I think) A security guard drove up and angrily told me he would have to confiscate my camera if I had taken any pictures (and he probably would have tried had I admitted)... I said no... and left

[ManiacJoe]

7. Poorly trained guard or abusive bully.

As a security guard, they have no right to take anything from you or delete any pictures/video. For the police to do so would require a court order of some sort.

[dbmk]

10. Definately

And as far as I know the law there has to be some very specific circumstances before the police can delete/confiscate your pictures.

In general pictures are your property, no matter how you came about them. Even if you trespassed in order to take them.

I think you would have to get the level of national security stuff or child pornography, before confiscation/deletion of your images would be allowed under the law.

[postatomic]

6. Why do you want to shoot law enforcement officers?

At a FBI building? Are they going to arrest Sarah Palin for being a Russian spy? :)

I figured out what you doing. It's today, right?

No worries. Take all the pictures you want. Just act like you are the press. If the press is there, blend in with them. If it gets 'confrontational' then be a little cautious. You have every right to be there and take pictures. Just use a little common sense.

And, stop back and show us what you got.
:hi:

[ManiacJoe]

8. As long as you are legally allowed to be where you are standing,

you can photograph anything in public that you can see. If one is out in public, there is no reasonable expectation of privacy.

Some departments have been trying to use wire tapping laws trap video shooters using audio. The courts usually slap that down, but it takes time and money.

[Earth_First]

9. Report back:

Completely peaceful event without a single issue or harassment.

I shot nothing at this event.

I was able to network with an individual who noticed me and my gear and we struck up a conversation. I am meeting with Rochester Against War to develop a working group based on Government Surveillance and Photography for Activists next Saturday morning...