For the sake of all photographers like us, I hope he will sue them and win BIG, in order to make an example for irresponsible police-person, as well as serve as a good notice for other non-inform police in the country.
No one can ask you to delete images, or ask for your camera/CF card without a court order, period.
They can ASK you to do anything, but they can't demand that you delete anything, in fact unless there is an extraordinary reason the police doesn't have a right to look ath the images.
I'm a little confused. He said the black SUV went past him doing 120 and he stopped and snapped pictures. Later, he says he was outside the yellow tape. Did the police predict where the chase was going and have crime scene tape in place already, or is there something goofy with the timeline as told to us?
Frankly, I'm a little disheartened by all of you guys going "sue sue sue the damn cops!" without really knowing the story.
Maybe he was inside the crime scene, lied about seeing the cars drive by and was harassing the police officers. You don't know at this point and it is not fair to pass judgment based on a short article with no evidence other than testimony from a guy who looks like he rides the short bus.
"not fair to pass judgement" "looks like he rides the short bus" - in the same sentence - classic.
Unfortunately, pursuing legal action (or even worse for them - asking for an apology) is likely the only way to get the police to realize that they aren't a supreme authority and have to follow the law themselves.
media needs the Police to produce : expecting support for something like this could be tough Inot impossible, just tough)
but the Law is the Law, regardless
there is a funny side in a story like this one: if they ask you (with the "or else" concept attached) to delete you just delete. I mean.. well you know what I mean.
one thing I know: if they don't like you there they'll make it clear to you (press ID or not)
the problem I see is that there is some sort of diffused hostile "perception" of photographers in general (always been but more , lately).
Well here is my 2 cents.
He was photographing an accident scene and when asked to stop and delete the images he identified himself as a school teacher and locks his camera in his scooter. What was he planning to do with the images? Is it really worth Pissing off multiple police officers?
Could have just deleted the images then gone home and recovered them as he did anyway.
Next
Lets get over ourselves as photographers with the right to shoot whatever when ever we want. Shooting factories, bridges etc. If you need to ask permission. You may need to explain why you want them but as a matter of security thats reasonable.
If you were in front of my house shooting away I would feel the need to ask you a few questions. If your response is I'm a teacher at x middleschool and I have the right we are going to have further discussions.
A little common sense and courtisy goes a long way.
Mike
Sports Shooter wrote:
Well here is my 2 cents.
He was photographing an accident scene and when asked to stop and delete the images he identified himself as a school teacher and locks his camera in his scooter. What was he planning to do with the images? Is it really worth Pissing off multiple police officers?
Could have just deleted the images then gone home and recovered them as he did anyway.
Next
Lets get over ourselves as photographers with the right to shoot whatever when ever we want. Shooting factories, bridges etc. If you need to ask permission. You may need to explain why you want them but as a matter of security thats reasonable.
If you were in front of my house shooting away I would feel the need to ask you a few questions. If your response is I'm a teacher at x middleschool and I have the right we are going to have further discussions.
A little common sense and courtisy goes a long way.
Mike...Show more →
+1 to that. What was that guy thinking anyways, he's not even a credentialed press member. You're right, what is he going to do, show the middle school kids some grotesque photos that he took the next day? The story is short and we don't really know what REALLY happened. Like in the past posts, it takes two to tangle. Some people are pushing that "right to photograph" too far.
