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Colorado law makes police harassment of photographers illegal

by 3 Comments

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I know that we have been reporting many anti photography laws lately. It’s a drag. But sometimes, the law makers surprise us and actually work towards making the world a better place for photographers..

This new Colorado law is called “Stop Police Interference Cop Incident Recordings”. The summary of the proposed bill stated:

“The bill creates a private right of action against a peace officer’s employing law enforcement agency if a person records an incident involving a peace officer and a peace officer destroys the recording or seizes the recording without receiving consent or obtaining a warrant or if the peace officer intentionally interferes with the recording or retaliates against the person making the recording. The person who recorded the peace officer incident is entitled to actual damages, a civil penalty of $15,000, and attorney fees and costs.”

We are happy to announce to our police-stalking shutterbugs that House Bill 15-1290 was signed into law by Colorado governor Hickenlooper (gotta love a man of power with that name) on May 20th.

 

Unfortunately, the bill does not take effect until a year from now, but with recently-proposed legislation in Texas making it illegal to photograph law enforcement personnel from within 25 feet, I see this as a great move towards protecting Constitutional liberties and establishing another layer of checks and balances for our public servants.  Then again, we’re talking about a state that flipped the Federal government the bird by legalizing marijuana for recreational use, so anything is possible now.

[via PetaPixel | Lead Image by Michelle Owner of the Squishy]

P.S. We reported this bill back in April and have to say that we are happy to see it followed through.

Related posts:

Here is the one thing you should say if police detains you for photographing Photographers and Their Constitutional Rights: A Few Words from an NPPA Attorney New Jersey Officer Loses Cool While Recorded: “If Obama Doesn’t Follow The Constitution, We Don’t Have To.” ‘Police Buffer Zone’ Bill Attacked By Law Enforcement Groups and Legal Experts

About Allen Mowery

Allen Mowery is a commercial and editorial photographer, pseudo-philosopher, and wannabe documentarian killing time amidst the rolling hills of Central Pennsylvania. When not shooting client work or chasing overgrown wildlife from his yard, he loves to capture the stories of the people and culture around him. You can check out his work on his website or follow along on Facebook, Twitter (@allenmowery), and 500px.

  • Free Hugs

    YES!

    • Frank Anthony Overton Jr.

      Eating too many fatty or sugary foods is harmful too. Some say religion is harmful. If there is no victim, there is no crime and no need for violent intervention by police. Whatever harm cannabis may cause, police action kills. Cannabis is less dangerous than police enforcement.

  • Straxie

    The very thought of legalizing marijuana for any purposes except for medical ones makes me sick. There are lots of articles like this https://addictionresource.com/drugs/marijuana/ where they tell you how harmful it is, and even then people see nothing wrong with it.

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