Jump to content

ACLU creats phone app to secretly record Law Enforcement interaction


TMF

Recommended Posts

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. :)

Link to comment

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.

  • Like 1
Link to comment

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.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
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.

Link to comment
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 by Lester Weevils
Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

TRADING POST NOTICE

Before engaging in any transaction of goods or services on TGO, all parties involved must know and follow the local, state and Federal laws regarding those transactions.

TGO makes no claims, guarantees or assurances regarding any such transactions.

THE FINE PRINT

Tennessee Gun Owners (TNGunOwners.com) is the premier Community and Discussion Forum for gun owners, firearm enthusiasts, sportsmen and Second Amendment proponents in the state of Tennessee and surrounding region.

TNGunOwners.com (TGO) is a presentation of Enthusiast Productions. The TGO state flag logo and the TGO tri-hole "icon" logo are trademarks of Tennessee Gun Owners. The TGO logos and all content presented on this site may not be reproduced in any form without express written permission. The opinions expressed on TGO are those of their authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the site's owners or staff.

TNGunOwners.com (TGO) is not a lobbying organization and has no affiliation with any lobbying organizations.  Beware of scammers using the Tennessee Gun Owners name, purporting to be Pro-2A lobbying organizations!

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to the following.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Guidelines
 
We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.