Posted By: C. Harrison\/Feb 15, 2016<\/p>\n
State Senator James Sanders Jr. Introduces Bill Allowing Photographing and Recording of Police<\/strong><\/p>\n State Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Rochdale Village) today introduced legislation (S.6735) clarifying that a person is permitted to photograph and record law enforcement officers performing their\u00a0 duties, when the officers is in a public place or public view, or the person is in a private place where they have a right to be present.<\/p>\n Existing law does not expressly prohibit photographing and recording police. However, there is an offense in New York called “Obstructing governmental\u00a0 administration” under which interfering with police activity falls. This legislation amends that section of the law to clearly establish that the acts of photographing and recording police officers are not unlawful.<\/p>\n Further, under this new legislation the officer must not intentionally interfere with the photography or\u00a0 recording; detain, arrest, intimidate or otherwise harass such person; search or seize the camera or recording device without permission or a warrant; or damage or destroy the device. A civil cause of action to recover monetary damages is created against any officer violating this law, as well as that officer’s law enforcement agency.<\/p>\n “There are calls for\u00a0more transparency and\u00a0accountability in law enforcement. When include pushes for police body cameras and dashboard cameras,”\u00a0 Sanders said.\u00a0 “In today’s age of smartphones, encounters with police are frequently recorded and the public, as well as law enforcement officers, should know the law permits capturing these moments. This effort can go a long way to bolster the public’s trust in our law enforcement system.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Posted By: C. Harrison\/Feb 15, 2016 State Senator James Sanders Jr. Introduces Bill Allowing Photographing and Recording of Police State Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Rochdale Village) today introduced legislation (S.6735) clarifying that a person is permitted to photograph and record law enforcement officers performing their\u00a0 duties, when the officers is in a public place or … Continue reading NEW LAW INTRODUCED IN QUEENS TO PHOTOGRAPH COPS<\/span>