Rep. Towns Introduces Resolution Condemning Arrest of Citizens Filming Police Officers

[TalkingDog]

http://jonathanturley.org/2010/07/17/rep-towns-introduces-resolution-condemning-arrest-of-citizens-filming-police-officers/


Rep. Edolphus Towns (D. N.Y.) has introduced a resolution to denouncing the arrests.

I'm assuming that the text of the Resolution is exempt from the 4 paragraph rule. If not please let me know and I will amend.


Here is the language of H. Con. Res 298:

Expressing the sense of Congress that the videotaping or photographing of police engaged in potentially abusive activity in a public place should not be prosecuted in State or Federal courts.

Whereas prosecutors in several States are applying State wiretapping laws in the prosecution of individuals for the videotaping of police engaged in potentially abusive activity;

Whereas State and Federal wiretapping laws were not intended to be used for such charges;

Whereas some police departments have been using national security as a justification for the harassment, charges, or an arrest of individuals, based solely on a citizen recording, with no additional factors considered;

Whereas a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2000 indicated that 22 percent of police officers claim their fellow officers sometimes, often, or always use excessive force; and

Whereas the privacy and safety rights of the police officers in the line of duty must be balanced carefully with the public’s right to transparency and accountability of public servants: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that–
(1) citizen recording fills in gaps in existing checks against law enforcement abuses, when balanced with the needs of law enforcement, police privacy, and citizen privacy;
(2) national security alone is insufficient justification for harassment, charges, or an arrest for otherwise innocent behavior, such as videotaping; and
(3) members of the public have a right to observe, and if they choose, to make video or sound recordings of the police during the discharge of their public duties, as long as they do not physically or otherwise interfere with the officers’ discharge of their duties, or violate any other State or Federal law, intended to protect the safety of police officers, in the process of the recording.

[defendandprotect]

1. It is only because of courages citizens that we are coming to understand what the hell...

is really going on with policing!!

And it isn't good -- !!

[MrModerate]

2. I've been around for a long time and I have to say . . .

The recent emergence of police claiming a right to arrest anyone filming them (always in public settings, as it turns out) is the most chilling development in decades. This must stop. Hopefully this resolution will be effective in starting a stemming of the tide.

That presumes that reasonable people also push back.

[laughingliberal]

3. K & R nt

[Dystopian]

4. KandR.

peace~