Police: Photographers should carry identification

[Rob.Marsh]

Telling one group in society that they should carry id is singling them out as suspicous though

For what it's worth I've not seen anybody in this threadsay they will not cooperate but being polite and cooperating is not the same as doing everything demanded

I guess, but refusing to show a cop your ID when asked, no matter how you explain why not, is not cooperating. Personally I would show the Cop ID, and the pics if asked, but talk to them explaining that I was doing this thru choice, not legislation as I am not obliged to do so. Your more likely to get cops onside with that approach than a stubborn approach.

I also havent seen anywhere the police demand we carry idea, merely suggest we do.

 

[puddleduck]

No i completely understand. It's just that some of us are not as easily offended as you. If i get asked who i am and what i'm doing i will give a simple answer "i'm just a guy taking photographs" SIMPLES!

Since when did carrying a camera become a suspicious act? Why did this happen? Why are we being approached regularly, and why are we required to explain ourselves?

If I am out with a camera, its pretty obvious what I'm doing and I resent the undercurrent of suspicion, which from what I can see has sprung out of nowhere in the last year or two.

This sort of thing needs to be challenged. We can do it politely, but I will not routinely explain myself without reasonable suspicion.

 

[Foggy]

No i completely understand. It's just that some of us are not as easily offended as you. If i get asked who i am and what i'm doing i will give a simple answer "i'm just a guy taking photographs" SIMPLES!

That is the exact answer I would give, oddly enough earlier you seemed to suggest we were idiots for feeling that answer is sufficient without then showing ID and our pictures.

No way I am showing some random bod security guard ID just because he asks for it when I am in a public place.

 

[bomberman]

oddly enough earlier you seemed to suggest we were idiots for feeling that answer is sufficient without then showing ID and our pictures

It's pretty clear what my position has been from the start. My first post on this thread was a response to the comment on the first page about wearing a burka to get away with taking pictures. a thoroughly racist and idiotic post which has nothing to do with the issue. If you wish to devalue my posts you're going to have to try a lot harder than that.

 

[Radiohead]

just about sums up your attitude to the whole issue

On the basis that you're the one who's resorted to name-calling you'll forgive me if I find that a bit rich.

No i completely understand. It's just that some of us are not as easily offended as you. If i get asked who i am and what i'm doing i will give a simple answer "i'm just a guy taking photographs" SIMPLES!

It's nothing to do with being offended. You still don't get it.

 

[boyfalldown]

I guess, but refusing to show a cop your ID when asked, no matter how you explain why not, is not cooperating. Personally I would show the Cop ID, and the pics if asked, but talk to them explaining that I was doing this thru choice, not legislation as I am not obliged to do so. Your more likely to get cops onside with that approach than a stubborn approach.

I also havent seen anywhere the police demand we carry idea, merely suggest we do.

thats your choice - you can be cooperative and still politely disagree/refuse - taking this approach may also sharpen his perspective as being required to get a court order to view your photos means then has to justify his action to others. I'd still utterly refuse to show id to any form of security guard in public place - politley refusing also, in the same way as I'd refuse to show you id if you approached me in the street

 

[Foggy]

If I was sitting outside a building on a bench with a notepad and pen, would a security guard be justified in exiting his building, approaching me, demanding to read my notes and asking for ID? If I didn't give it would he be right in calling the police and having them read my notebook under S44? I could surely be looking at the building and jotting down the location of fire exits and reception, or even drawing a picture - or I could just be writing notes on a meeting coming up.

What about if I was sat on this bench talking on my phone? Should they come and ask me who I am talking to? I could be telling someone over the phone all about the exits they cannot see on google satellite view - or I could just be talking to a mate

At which point are they no longer justified in asking me what I am doing?

 

[bomberman]

On the basis that you're the one who's resorted to name-calling you'll forgive me if I find that a bit rich.

you are forgiven.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bomberman View Post
No i completely understand. It's just that some of us are not as easily offended as you. If i get asked who i am and what i'm doing i will give a simple answer "i'm just a guy taking photographs" SIMPLES!

It's nothing to do with being offended. You still don't get it.

OK whatever im sick of arguing with you now

 

[Dark Star]

I think this one has run its course boys and girls

Mind the doors