Arizona’s new law on filming police
Image: Getty
Last week, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) signed a new measure into law banning the general public from recording law enforcement activity if they’re within eight feet of police officers and have received a verbal warning.
🚫🎥 A deeper dive… The GOP-backed bill, which was approved along party lines, defines law enforcement activity as officers questioning suspicious people, conducting an arrest, or generally enforcing the law.
- The measure creates carve-outs for a person who is the subject of police contact, and for when police activity is occurring indoors on private property. But these exceptions are overridden if the person filming is being arrested or searched, or if officers determine they’re interfering with “lawful police actions.”
- In an op-ed published earlier this year, state Rep. John Kavanagh (the bill’s sponsor) said the 8-foot buffer is meant to prevent clashes between police and hostile bystanders during tense situations.
- Critics have said they plan to challenge the law in court for several reasons, chief among them being that its wording is too vague and creates potential for abuse. They also point to the fact that Arizona already has laws banning people from interfering with law enforcement arrests or detentions.
👀 Looking ahead… The new measure will take effect on September 24 barring any court orders.
+Flash poll: What do you think of Arizona’s new law?
A 360° view of what the media is saying →
Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that Arizona’s new law is completely unnecessary and will likely be abused by officers with ill intent. (What happens if police keep walking towards a person who’s filming?)
- Others express worry that other states could follow in Arizona’s footsteps, given the history of law enforcement abuses even in conventionally-liberal places like Los Angeles.
- “Why Arizona's newly passed unconstitutional ban on filming police will stand” –EJ Montini, The Arizona Republic
- “Is Arizona's New Ban on Filming the Police In LA's Future?” –LA TACO
- “Film a police officer within 8 feet? You could soon be thrown in jail” –Elvia Diaz, The Arizona Republic
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that the American public needs to reconsider how they talk about engaging with law enforcement, cautioning against describing them as devoid of empathy and compassion.
- Others contend that the Arizona law is a gross violation of the First Amendment rights of all Americans, threatening the freedoms of speech, press, and assembly.
- “Videotape police if you must. Just stay back 8 feet” –AZ state Rep. John Kavanaugh
- “The Cops Who Didn’t Come Home” –Christopher Wray, FBI director
- “New Arizona law flagrantly attacks freedom of speech” –James Sweet, Washington Examiner fellow
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