Boston Finally Admits Wrongful Arrest

The city of Boston, after five years, has finally admitted that the arrest of Simon Glik for recording police officers in public was wrong. Until this point, the city has steadfastly refused to admit their officers had done anything wrong.

Their intransigence will cost Boston taxpayers $170,000. 

CNET has a good article about this case, and the increasing confrontations between police departments who are able to record citizens in public without their consent, but are arresting citizens who record police. Wiretapping laws were never meant to suppress citizens' constitutional rights, and yet they are increasingly being invoked by the police to prevent recording in public. 

Yet another example: a Coral Springs, Florida woman was arrested by police and charged with felony obstruction and DUI - charges that were dropped after a recording of the altercation was made public. Now the two officers are being investigated, something that never would have happened without the recording.


Here's one more: a security video proves that a man who spent three days in jail was the victim of a clear-cut case of false arrest by an officer, who claimed his life had been threatened. Now the officer is facing several serious charges for lying. If not for video of the encounter, this man would have probably spent a lot of time in jail. LINK

Further proof of why recording of the police is so important. The website Cop Block, whose goal is police accountability, has a good article listing nine reasons to film encounters with police. I've said it before and I'll say it again: the rights you have, you have only because they were exercised. Use 'em or lose 'em.

Nine Reasons To Record Police Encounters

Link to CNET story Boston admits it: Cell phone photography is not a crime

Link to Boston Herald story Police reverse stance on taping of officers’ actions

Link to Miami Herald story Broward driver busted by cops, exonerated by cell phone
Link to the ACLU's excellent web page describing photographer's rights, and how to interact with the police who demand you stop recording