In recent years we’ve seen many stories of people catching the police on camera. Whether the footage involved brutality or showed evidence that was contrary to police reports, the controversy of people filming police has been very real and a relevant issue in these times that everyone has a camera on them. But, some police departments have joined in, in an effort to show their techie-side and, in some cases, to clear their name.
According to the Associated Press, police departments in cities like Boston, Baltimore and Milwaukee have their own YouTube channels. These channels are used to broadcast updates on cases, messages from administrators and other public safety messages. Some have also resorted to posting videos on their official websites.
Lately, Occupy protests have provided the police with good opportunities to use their footage in their own defense.
The Associated Press reports that Oakland police were sharply criticized for using tear gas on protestors. But the department then posted four different videos on their website showing the protestors surrounding police and throwing paint before the tear gas was used.
In a similar situation, police in Milwaukee were accused of being rough with protestors and never giving them the order to disperse before breaking up the group. However, the department posted their own video on YouTube showing their officers warning protestors, discrediting at least some of the criticism.
Police aren’t just using video to defend themselves after criticism. Again in Milwaukee, police thought transparency was the best course of action when an officer punched a woman in the face as she was cuffed in the back of his car. The officer was immediately fired and the video of his offense was posted on YouTube for all to see.
It’s been pretty well established that citizens have a right to record officers acting within their official duty as long as the recording doesn’t interfere with police work. Some officers have been a little late to get that memo, and we still see incidents of cops arresting people filming them or threatening to arrest them if they don’t stop.
No one ever said, however, that the police couldn’t pick up cameras too. Accountability is crucial in the world of police work, and the more footage there is the better. And if you are arrested in an occupy protest, or for any reason, and you believe yourself innocent, the more evidence the better.
It’s unlikely your arrest was caught on video, but if you are facing criminal charges there will likely be plenty of other evidence.
About David Matson