Since the proliferation of the camera phone, the ability to record police has skyrocketed. Though it may seem that police brutality is on the rise, it is more accurate to say that the instances of brutality are more highlighted. We are gaining a more critical eye of our law enforcement and people around the world are gaining a keen eye toward the violence.
Now, in Colorado, lawmakers are considering that any time an officer is caught telling someone to shut off their camera they will face a massive fine.
Known as HB 15-1290, the law is meant to protect citizens’ rights.
“Primarily, it came up as a result of the number of news reports we’ve been seeing about police officers telling people, ‘Give me your camera,’ or taking the data away, and that is unacceptable conduct,” Rep. Joe Salazar, one of the supporters of the bill, recently told reporters.
“It takes a very special person to be a police officer. We want to honor them, but at the same time, we have a few bad apples who need to be aware that their conduct now has major, major consequences,” he added.
The Supreme Court has continued to uphold the right to film police.
*Article originally appeared at Minds.
