Andrew Augustus, WPRO News
As protests continue in Ferguson, Missouri, the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island (RIACLU) along with 8 other organizations, have urged local police departments to adopt policies in support of the public’s right to record police activity.
“Individuals have a very fundamental First Amendment right to record police activity going on in public,” says Executive Director of the RI ACLU Steven Brown. “It seems to us now is the time for police departments to consider formal policies so that we wouldn’t see the problems we see happening in Ferguson.
The letter was addressed to Colonel Stephen O’Donnell of the State police encouraging chiefs to issue a memo emphasizing officers must respect the public’s right to record police activity in most circumstances.
The groups say there have been two key decisions by the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit emphasizing the important of this right. One of the rulings stated: “Though not unqualified, a citizen’s right to film government officials, including law enforcement officers, in the discharge of their duties in a public space is a basic, vital, and well-established liberty safeguarded by the First Amendment.”
The organizations also said other police departments across the country have issued memos to officers to ensure all members of the staff are aware of their obligations.
A call has been left with the President of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association.
To see a copy of the letter click here.
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New to the business, Andrew has been working in radio for just over a year. A big sports fan, he roots for all New England teams.
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Andrew Augustus
