Yes and no; in many cases they can and do turn off the cameras when it suits them.
Joel Send a noteboard - 03/02/2012 02:33:32 PM
If it weren't, we wouldn't have all those wonderful TV shows about "world's dumbest criminals" and "wildest car chases 7". The footage is usually taken from either dashboard- or shoulder-mounted video cameras. If the police have cameras of everything they do while on the job, it's tremendous protection for them against accusations of abuse of power, etc. How easy would it have been for the police to shut down the pepper-spray criticism you mentioned if they can show the entire footage instead of a narrowly edited clib devoid of context?
Regardless, I have to agree with moondog that law enforcement can't have it both ways: "public acces precludes any expectation of privacy" means, at the same time as allowing warrantless GPS tracking, that videotaping the police as public workers in a public venue and acting in an official capacity is (or should be) constitionally protected. After all, the constitution was created specifically to protect citizens from the abuse of government.
Regardless, I have to agree with moondog that law enforcement can't have it both ways: "public acces precludes any expectation of privacy" means, at the same time as allowing warrantless GPS tracking, that videotaping the police as public workers in a public venue and acting in an official capacity is (or should be) constitionally protected. After all, the constitution was created specifically to protect citizens from the abuse of government.
Just three weeks ago a FL cop turned off his camera before confronting a slowly approaching 66 year dementia sufferer. He suddenly kicked the man in the stomach hard enough to knock him to the ground, held him down and punched, then choked him. A few moments later his partner came to taze the man in the face.
Fortunately, the camera recorded the video despite being deactivated, and the image was later retrieved from its hard drive. The "perp" was charged with "battery" of an officer (presumably his face, neck and and stomach against the cops foot and hands, since that was their only contact.) He also spent a month in the hospital. The cop was given a written reprimand for turning off the camera.
Just another shameful case of citizen brutality against innocent cops with no defence except their gun, baton, taser, partner and badge.

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Last First in wotmania Chat
Slightly better than chocolate.
Love still can't be coerced.
Please Don't Eat the Newbies!

LoL. Be well, RAFOlk.
Upcoming Chicago G8 Summit Focuses Attention on Illinois First Amendment Infringement
03/02/2012 12:20:25 AM
- 1025 Views
police officiers have nothing to fear fromvideo taping? Sorry Joel but that is pure crap
03/02/2012 01:01:51 AM
- 607 Views
There's a simple solution to this
03/02/2012 02:38:05 AM
- 552 Views
would you take a job where your ever move was captured on tape?
03/02/2012 02:59:46 AM
- 642 Views
I have had two, that I recall off the top of my head; SOME of us are NOT too good for some jobs.
03/02/2012 03:11:29 AM
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yes so we would end up with people like you as cops, thanks for making my point
03/02/2012 04:09:54 AM
- 483 Views
So if your point is invalid the problem is me; glad to see you are being objective here.
03/02/2012 04:23:03 AM
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If there were mobs of anger idiots looking set up situation where you could be defaimed
03/02/2012 04:50:36 AM
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If it makes you feel better, Rod Blagojevich agrees context ALWAYS exonerates ANYTHING.
03/02/2012 07:24:55 AM
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I'm not asking them to wear them when they go home for the day
03/02/2012 05:20:42 AM
- 565 Views
that is just Big Brother for thee but not for me
03/02/2012 05:45:02 PM
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This started from the banning of video taping things happening in public
03/02/2012 08:22:22 PM
- 581 Views
There are lots of jobs like that
03/02/2012 06:19:21 AM
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and how many of those cameras are controlled by activist looking to smear them?
03/02/2012 05:35:32 PM
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Isn't this already the case with many police officers / departments?
03/02/2012 01:02:25 PM
- 502 Views
Yes and no; in many cases they can and do turn off the cameras when it suits them.
03/02/2012 02:33:32 PM
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I have a job that does that. *NM*
03/02/2012 04:37:44 PM
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a lot of jobs monitor and area but very an individual to wear a camera *NM*
03/02/2012 05:47:59 PM
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Write a sentence that can be understood and maybe I'll reply with something relevant. *NM*
04/02/2012 04:57:27 PM
- 177 Views
i can't tell if you're making a point or just stupid....
03/02/2012 02:42:11 AM
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luck for my job isn't so hard. Judging you as stupid is an easy call
03/02/2012 03:46:12 AM
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The pepper spraying? That is the best you can do?
03/02/2012 02:54:43 AM
- 780 Views
OK I see the problem and it is rampant ignorance
03/02/2012 04:33:47 AM
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I think we could find a middle ground
03/02/2012 06:06:32 AM
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I agree there should be some middle ground
03/02/2012 05:26:33 PM
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Um, HELLO, it is a felony for journalists to tape police in IL, too.
03/02/2012 07:16:15 PM
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That is definitely the problem, though casting aspersions on everyone you can think of hurts, too.
03/02/2012 06:55:30 AM
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unfortunately most cops seem to want a double standard
03/02/2012 02:39:01 AM
- 525 Views
Ah; I did not realize the SCOTUS had overturned that.
03/02/2012 03:05:12 AM
- 473 Views
Well, public or private, one does not leave one's right to privacy at the door
03/02/2012 05:19:12 PM
- 512 Views