Vancouver Police – Camera Seizure Policy
Vancouver Police announced today (June 17th 2009) that they will be officially updating their policy manual to prevent officers from confiscating cameras and other recording devices from the public without consent, a warrant, or a lawful arrest.
While they say the policy has always been in place, they are now putting it in writing, and enforcing it. Nice of them to bring thier policies in line with Canadian law, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The issue came to a head when Vancouver Province news photographer Jason Payne was roughed up, and had his camera taken by police while photographing a Police shooting incidnet. In fairness to the Police, they did apologize shortly after the seizure. This comes on a long string of bad press for Vancouver area Police made famous by the RCMP Robert Dziekanski tazer death at the Vancover Airport. The video of that incident was surrendered to Police on scene who promised to return it in 48 hours. Then they changed their minds, and the videographer Paul Pritchard had to retain a lawyer to get it back.
The announcement of Vancouver Police to update their camera seizure policy is a big step in the right direction. I’m not a press photographer, but this is a victory not just for the freedom of the press, but for all Canadians. Everyone has the right to take photos of Police officers at work, or anything else that happens in public. Compared to what’s going on in the UK where police can arrest anyone with a camera if they have a “suspicion” that the photos may be used for any type of terrorist purpose. It’s a very vague and dangerous law as far a free speech goes. Especially when many authorities think they can tell you to stop taking photos for any reason.
The Vancouver policy comes on the heels of a New York City announcement of a similar reminder to Police that people are allowed to take photos in public (by the way if you want to waste some time and get angry, hang out at the “Photography is not a crime blog” for a while!)
It’s good to see that at least some Police Departments are doing the right thing, and reminding their officers of our freedoms. Let’s hope other jurisdictions follow their lead.
