XAos said:
The reason not to take pictures of cops is they will almost always tell you no and wont bother to wait for you to ask permission before telling you this. They're very concerned with who might be profiling cops, or trying to identify the entire set of local cops, or other "intelligence" like activities.
(That and he has a gun, handcuffs, baton, and pepper spray, any one of which can make even the bravest of folks uncomfortable, even if he gets in trouble for it later on.)
I was at the airport in Orange County, CA, waiting on a plane. At the time, I was still a smoker, so I went outside to burn one.
I saw a couple of fat cops in golf carts riding up and down the sidewalks in front of the airport, apparently too lazy to get out and walk. I took their photo as they had a confab. I was using a digital point-n-shoot.
They saw me. One of them wheeled over to me on his golf cart. He got out and walked over to me.
"Did you just take a photo of me?"
"Yes, I did."
"May I see it?"
"No, you may not."
"Why not?"
"I am afraid you'll delete it or seize my camera."
"I may do that anyway. I don't want you to take my photo."
"Too bad. You're a public offical, and we're in public. You don't get a say."
"I want you to delete my photo."
"No."
"I want you to give me the camera."
"No."
"Give me your ID."
"OK."
I gave him my ID. He called in my name, address, etc - waited to find out if I was wanted for any crimes. When I was not, he handed me back my driver's license.
"You know, it's not smart to take photos of cops."
"It's even dumber to interfere with the press."
"Oh, are you the press?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
At that point, I put out my cigarette and left. It may sound like I was brave, but I was shaking. Inside the airport, I went through security and watched as the cop spoke to the cop on duty assisting the TSA security guards. They both stared daggers at me, but they didn't do anything to me or try to take the camera away again.
I refuse to give in to police bullying. I may be arrested someday for my attitude. So mote it be.
I agree with this one - how would you like to find your picture on mulletjunky.com? Or if you were an attractive woman (for this you only have to think you are), how would you feel wondering if the nervous goofy guy taking your picture is your own amateur stalker, that YOU are the reason he's out taking pictures?
If people go out in public, including fat ugly bald people like me, they are subject to having their photo taken and used in a variety of ways.
Traditionally in the USA, this meant only that the photographer could not use their photograph commercially (to make money from) or to hold them up to public ridicule, if the person pictured was identifiable. That would require a model release. Therefore, if someone puts your photo on mullets-r-us and makes fun of you, you have an actionable cause. But that's only if you know about it, and only if you care to pursue the civil action. And you take your chances in court.
Look up sometime when you go out. There are cameras ALL OVER. You can't walk too far in most cities without being photographed without your permission.
I am a big advocate of personal privacy. I think the government intrudes too much into our personal lives, and it is getting worse.
However, I accept that privacy only applies if you remain in your private spaces. When you go out, you are 'in public' and if you don't want your photo taken, too bad.
Asking permission to take a public photo is a very, very, bad idea. It gives people the notion that they have the right to say 'no' -
which they do not. At least, not in the USA. Don't want your mullet to go a' flyin' - don't go out in public.
Best Regards,
Bill Mattocks
