ACLU creats phone app to secretly record Law Enforcement interaction

[TMF]

http://news.yahoo.com/phone-app-allows-us-users-film-police-activity-235819815.html

[Chucktshoes]

Awaiting the iPhone version.i see this app having the possibility for more uses than surreptitiously recording LEO encounters.

[DaveTN]

Awaiting the iPhone version.i see this app having the possibility for more uses than surreptitiously recording LEO encounters.

That’s what I was thinking. But apparently this app has the ability to automatically send the recording to the ACLU. I don’t want my app to have that ability.

[Dolomite_supafly]

I use ITalk on my Iphone to record conversations.

You can hit record then hit the top button and it continues to record. It is a free APP and the conversion software for Windows is free as well. It is a very easy program to use as is the desktop software.

Dolomite

[10-Ring]

It's always a good idea to record interactions with law enforcement. Most phones and many MP3 players have built in recorders. And if it is laying there in plain sight face down no one will know. It could save your butt if you wind up with a corrupt cop.

[Sam1]

It could save your butt if you wind up with a corrupt cop.

just make sure that you use a screen lock with a passcode to keep them from opening your phone.

[daddyo]

The Qik app uploads video to a secure server as you record it.

http://qik.com/

Edited July 8, 2012 by DaddyO

[G27]

IANAL, so I ask - if you record them without telling them, wouldn't it be inadmissible in court?

[vontar]

IANAL, so I ask - if you record them without telling them, wouldn't it be inadmissible in court?

IANAL either but according to http://www.rcfp.org/can-we-tape/tennessee (notice every state is different like most gun laws) I believe we can. Besides they are taping it from their cars if they want to dispute it.

[G27]

IANAL either but according to http://www.rcfp.org/...-tape/tennessee (notice every state is different like most gun laws) I believe we can. Besides they are taping it from their cars if they want to dispute it.

You're right, that does looks like it's legal - thanks!

[TMF]

IANAL, so I ask - if you record them without telling them, wouldn't it be inadmissible in court?

I recall a few years ago a video of a young man who had been harrassed by a police officer before set up a video camera and recorded a stop. The police officer went looney on him, then threatened to arrest him and make up charges. Like most videos of that nature, it went viral and made the national news.

At that point I don't believe admissible matters. The damage done by such a release would send a DA running into the corner and severly damage any LEO agency attempting to push charges on you.

I've seen stories of PDs issuing their officers body worn cameras to record interactions with the same intention as the cruiser cams. I think all that is a great idea, and if I was an LEO I'd be all over it. When my dad finally got one for his car it made quick work of complaints against him; all they had to do was to look at the tape.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Even if it would be inadmissable, it would still be useful, and create havoc for that event.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

I've not personally had an abusive encounter with popo. Got a couple of "borderline" stops for "being too young and not having a nice enough car" a long time ago. Those were not severe except the guys were showing a little attitude. Maybe just an incredibly long streak of good luck, but such rare contacts with the popo, and on average not unpleasant contacts, that personal experience makes it seem a lot of trouble to take "special precaution" to be prepared to record just in case I might get stopped one of these years.

On the other hand there are some videos out there that admittedly look rather eggregious and it seems good that those were caught on video.

A fox news segment discussing this recording app, mentioned a video done by a guy riding a motorbike. The fellow was stopped at gunpoint by an off-duty or plainclothes cop, in un-marked or private vehicle. The cop was acting rather "over the line". Unless that guy and the policeman knew each other and it was some kind of repeat grudge match-- Were I caught in the same situation I might jump to the conclusion that I was being threatened by a random road-rage civilian. Just saying, if the exact same thing happened to me, pulled over by some random idiot in casual clothes and then he comes walking up to my truck really pissed with gun drawn-- Somebody or the other might have got shot in the misunderstanding. That ambiguous situation would have "immediate fear for your life" written all over it. Am not showing bad attitude toward police, merely that I probably wouldn't just idly sit there in the truck and let what looks identical to some road-rage redneck come up to the car and shoot me.

So anyway, the motorcycle rider posted video of the encounter on youtube and then the fellow was tried and convicted on illegal wiretap charges, merely for making a video of a policeman acting more than a little crazy.

[daddyo]

But, police always do the right thing, so it's not necessary to record them..... right?

[Guest Lester Weevils]

But, police always do the right thing, so it's not necessary to record them..... right?

Hi DaddyO. There are some outrageous videos and a couple of friends who don't seem hard-to-get-along-with have some tales. But doesn't seem much a problem from personal experience. For more than a decade had the long ponytail and zz top beard and even then was generally ignored by police, and the rare contacts were "generally civil". More than a decade with the hair and long beard, two minor tickets, one minor fender-bender and two "curiosity stops". Nothing especially bad happened except a bit of attitude a couple of times. Went to court and managed to beg off on the tickets. Edit-- Forgot a third ticket that was for speeding. I was without doubt guilty on that one and just sent in the money.

A degenerate-looking hippy going years at a time with no "professional contact" with police. Was playing music and the van had never been in a wreck but from being parked at nightclubs nearly every day for years, the van was in good mechanical condition but looked like it had been thru a war from drunks repeatedly backing into it in nightclub parking lots. Each big dent had its own little dents. It would go years at a time without washing. What was the point? Clean dents look purtier than dirty dents? One night when the front brake discs were about ready for replacement, I went thru a mudhole and doused em good, then stopped at the next street light and the wheels locked up screeching rubber, turned me partially sideways in the lane, and there was a patrol car in the next lane right beside me, and they didn't even look. Thought sure that goof-up would get some kind of ticket.

Since then with better-looking vehicles and after cutting the hair and later the beard, as best I recall, three contacts in 30 years with no tickets. Might as well be the invisible man. I don't doubt people get mistreated on occasion, but wouldn't know it from personal experience. Now would be a good time to "knock on wood".

Edited July 8, 2012 by Lester Weevils

[Caster]

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