Police just stopped me, where do i stand?

blinkerz

blinkerz

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Tristan
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My uncle phoned me up about an accident happened across from his local park, and a air ambulance etc.. was there, i took loads of pictures covering it all. The person being lifted into an ambulance etc.., but then a policeman came over and said il have to take your camera away, unless i deleted all the pictures. He took my address and threatened me with anything appeared in the papers, kept saying i need permission... did i get permission from the parents of the kid..

Is this all true,
 
Err... not sure on the legality...

But, isn't it just like taking a candid of someone in the street? You dont get told off for that.
 
NO!!! They cannot force you to delete picture unless they arrest you, and in that case, the pictures have to be kept as evidence!

Yes, anyone in the pictures can ask you not to publish, as far as I understand it, but the police officer cannot force you to hand over your camera or pics without an arrest or warrant.
 
If it's true then all the Freelancing photo journalists had better watch out!

I would say he was a little out of order..... :shrug:
 
chuckles said:
I would say he was a little out of order..... :shrug:
Click to expand...



I agree Barry..;)

I think it was maybe a bobby on a power trip.:thumbsdown:
 
If you were in a public place you have every right to take pictures.
I would make a formal complaint about the way you were treated, and the fact the officer has misled you at best and Lied to you at worst!
 
Total crap!

The police have power under Common Law and various statutes to seize property under various circumstances - suspected to be stolen is an obvious one. They can seize anything of an evidential nature, i.e. something likely to be required as an exhibit in court.

I've heard of this problem with the cops before and it's usually their argument that the photos of the incident are evidence and they intend seizing the camera/card for that reason. It's actually utter nonsense as in the case of an RTA it's what happened prior to the crash which matters.

Obstructing the police by getting in the way is another matter, but that apart, be calm and respectful but stand your ground. I wouldn't be handing over my camera or card.

A lot of paps spent the night in jail following the Lady Di death crash and their cameras were seized, but they were held on suspected murder and being responsible for the crash at the time.
 
I felt well bad after he had a go at me,and went on to say about how the parents would feel etc.., i wasnt taking gory pictures etc, i was covering an incident which i felt was tragic and bad. Someone has to report the bad as well as good, i wasnt getting in the way or too close to the scene. Some stories serve as a reminder to hopefully stop similar situations happening again..

I dont think i will do this type of photography ever again, i was made to feel terrible as though i was to blame for the situation... really weird feeling, the others around did not say anything, and they too were using camera phones etc..,

I can undelete the pictures.. the last picture shows the policeman with well evil stare.. but im scared even showing the helicopter will get me a jail sentance :E
 
Well, the bottom line is if it was in the public domain, you don't need anyone's permission to take their photo, and that includes kids. In a public place you don't need anyone's permission to take shots of kids contrary to popular belief. We're all a bit wary of doing so, and most of us would have the good manners to ask, but that's for totally different reasons. ;)
 
Did you get his number? I would recommend that you report it, as it was not in his authority to threaten you with confiscating any of your possessions.

Unfortunately the police force in the UK get a bad press because of a few jumped up turds that act as police officers who should never be in the job in the first place.
 
Isn't the basic rule of thumb that, providing your vantage point is public property then you can snap what you want and it's up to them to obscure anything they deem necessary?
 
If you believe it's newsworthy It can go in the papers.
The photographer that took a shot a the mercedez in London's haymarket was told not to take the photo. As he put his camera away he pressed the shutter, Opps. He's never been sued and his photo was in the papers and on TV.
 
As has been said, pics taken in a public place of an incident of public interest does not need permission. Cops can ask you to stop if they believe you are causing an obstruction or breaching the peace,
 
I agree. That copper was totally out of order.

May I suggest that you write to Chief Constable Michael Fuller at:

Kent Police Headquarters
Sutton Road
Maidstone
Kent
ME15 9BZ

enclosing that photograph of the policeman concerned. Explain that you were deeply traumatised by the overzealous and mistaken actions and attitude of the officer concerned and some re-training might be appropriate.
 
I'd have gone to the local press with the pictures, provided there was nothing gory.
 
I'd go to the local press with the story about the policeman!
 
I see you've had loads of good advice already but in answer to the question in the thread title I'd have said "up against the car, legs spread sonny" :)
 
Steep said:
I see you've had loads of good advice already but in answer to the question in the thread title I'd have said "up against the car, legs spread sonny" :)
Click to expand...

ah, beat me to it!
 
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