Grabbing the Lens

[dlr2133]

Had my first experience of a cop telling me to back up from a crash scene. I fully complied and began walking backwards while continuing to film the altercation. He put his hand on my lens then grabbed it to push me back.

Can someone tell me what the legalities are on this? Should I bring this to my ND's attention? I have the whole affair on tape.

Feedback?

[Spike]

Absolutely bring it to your ND's attention, and also look into filing a formal complaint against that officer with his department. Depending on the severity of what happened, I would even consider suing.

Whatever you do, don't just let it go. Cops sometimes have to be taught a lesson the hard way.

[Marty McFly]

Amen. It's considered assault(?) when a private citizen does it.

You were complying, but just not fast enough in his feeble mind. He wanted to feel big and powerful and show a member of the press who was in charge. **ck him. Twice.

[foxravens]

Never EVER let anyone get away with touching any part of the camera, if they're in uniform or not.
That was rule one back in the 16mm film days and it's still true today.

[kim jung il]

This Method Require ...
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2000/korea/story/leader/kim.dae.jung/link.kim.jong.il.jpg
...You turn Drop Back like Quarterback
Reverse Play. When Man see You Go? He
forgetti 'bout chu. You Return, Rinse Repeat as
Necessary.

Often man become obsess someone else ...
You taKey He Pitcher.

[ June 10, 2007, 06:34 PM: Message edited by: kim jung il ]

[Ralphie the buffalo]

Originally posted by foxravens:
Never EVER let anyone get away with touching any part of the camera, if they're in uniform or not.Damn straight.

Quick story...

I while back I was on the street waiting for some parents to come out of a high school. We got a tip that a grown man had enrolled as a student and conned his way onto the cheerleading squad.

Seriously.

And he had gotten close to to some of the football players. Real close. They had their own little version of the "Crying Game". This had gone on for a couple of weeks with several guys until one of the victims decided to blow the whistle.

So anyway, the parents were meeting with the principal and police and I was there to get some video of them leaving the school. Did I mention that I was on the street?

This was a large school district and they had a PIO. I see her walking across the parking lot towards me. Good. She can help fill me in on what is going on. Details were kinda sketchy at that point.

She walks right up and tells me I can't shoot any video. I disagree and inform her about the principles of public property and public domain. She responds by putting her hand over my lens and tries to force the camera to the ground.
I politely, yet very firmly, grab her skinny little wrist and remove it. At the same time I'm telling tell her, "Never, ever, grab my camera again or there will be trouble." My raised voice was firm and polite. And yes, I was rolling.

She stormed off. I got the pictures and a bonus piece of video of her bad behavior. I don't think she was around long after that.

I wouldn't handle the situation like that with a cop, but it really piissed me off that a PIO would do something like that.

And that story we broke did go national.

[s'news]

Plus you get video of sombody making an ass of themself.

[SpxGrunt]

Not only do you bring it to the attention of your ND, also listen to the other guys on the board and make sure that video gets ON THE AIR! It's good video and makes the guy look like twice the a$$hole. Double bonus.

[Pinkie]

In one of my one man banding days I had a guy reach for the lens while I was shooting him coming out of court. I fell over trying to protect the camera from falling. Not only did it make air, it also made our blooper tape. graemlins/iamwithstupid.gif

[Lazlo Toth]

And always keep rolling.

[Another side]

There's an alternative.

First, you must decide whether you want this to be a full-blown media v. police issue, or a more personal, officer v. photographer problem. Either way, keep rolling. Not that your audience is going to care one way or the other, but you need the tape.

The incident as described didn't sound that bad, but if it's reflective of the attitude of the entire department, by all means, tell your ND and get it on the air, repeatedly.

On the other hand, if it's just a renegade cop with a bad attitude, take it straight to his chief and let her/him deal with it behind the scenes. The chief will appreciate it and remember it.

You have to pick your spots, sometimes, particularly if you're in a small market. The other posters are right -- you shouldn't tolerate anyone ever touching your camera.

But you also have to decide whether blasting it all over the air is the best approach in the long run ... you still have to work with the officers the next day, and there are stories down the road in which you'll need or want their assistance.

My advice: if it's an isolated incident and you know it's against department policy, take it to the chief. If it's indicative of a power-mad police department with a history of similar incidents, take it to your ND and fight to get it on-air.

Just don't expect your audience to care, because it isn't going to to ... the best you can hope for is a collective chuckle.

[Clever Login Name]

It's always been my understanding that the camera is an extension of your body, and that any unwanted contact with either constitutes assault ... doesn't matter how forceful it was.
Absolutely follow it up ... maybe Mr. Big Bad Cop needs to learn more about the law.

[NewsMom]

Please do not let this slide. It's crucial that the fundamental law of 'NEVER touch the camera' be enforced.

[kim jung il]

Clever Login Name
Open Line Veteran
Member # 6236

posted June 11, 2007 06:27 AM
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It's always been my understanding that the camera is an extension of your body, and that any unwanted contact with either constitutes assault ... doesn't matter how forceful it was.
Absolutely follow it up ... maybe Mr. Big Bad Cop needs to learn more about the law.

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Information regarding my number of posts, location and date of registration can be found directly below.

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Posts: 3361 | From: Santa Poco, Mexico | Registered: May 2004 | IP: Logged

NewsMom
Member
Member # 3560

posted June 11, 2007 09:10 AM
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Please do not let this slide. It's crucial that the fundamental law of 'NEVER touch the camera' be enforced.

You turn Have this Something Sexual?
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2000/korea/story/leader/kim.dae.jung/link.kim.jong.il.jpg

...carry on,