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Technology is a double-edged sword.  It has enabled the government to become more intrusive than ever with its online spying capabilities.  However, cheap and discreet recording devices make it much more feasible to hold cops on the street accountable.

Police State USA encourages holding government officials accountable but advises everyone to research the laws in their own states regarding secretly recording audio conversations (Read more: The Reporter’s Recording Guide).  Encounters with police officers in public generally do not fall under such restrictions, particularly after the recent court decision in Illinois.

Here, we intend to look at the technologies that facilitate that recording.

Streaming App for Cellphone
Ustream

Ustream is a cell phone application that allows a user to begin recording video and audio — and simultaneously stream the data to an online account — at the click of a button.

If you are in a tense situation with the police, click the app button and the rest is done automatically.  While running, it doesn’t look like a streaming app.

The video files will then be available online when viewing the user’s Ustream account.

Pros:

    Easy to use.
    Preserves video even if cell phone is confiscated.
    Does not give obvious clues that the app is streaming.
    Reputable app with product support.
    Video/audio quality correspond to user’s phone capabilities.

Cons:

    Internet uploads depend on having a sufficient phone signal.
    May not be compatible with certain phone operating systems.
    Presence of a cell phone will always draw suspicion of recording.

more here:
http://www.policestateusa.com/2014/record-police-without-losing-video


FYI: In some states it is always legal to record police actions, but that doesn't assure that they will not take away (or even smash) your camera.
In other states it is never legal to take photos or movies of the police.
If you are not certain, I'm sure the friendly man with a large, warm taser will help you figure it out.  :D

Do you record the police, especially when being pulled over?

Thanks!

You are welcome  :)
I've heard about Ustream before, it's brilliant.
Your video is instantly saved online while it's still being recorded.

This may be of interest to you.

http://www.edmontonpolice.ca/News/BWV.aspx

I believe that constant surveillance of the police is the only way to stop corruption of the police.  :)

Potentially there are many benefits for both officers and the public:

    Record events requiring pursuit and/or use of force, away from a police vehicle;
    Objective representation of events;
    Make investigations more efficient and timely;
    Reduce hostility;
    Reduce complaints from citizens; and
    Provide evidence to support prosecutions.
...

Sounds good as long as it isn't easy to disable at convenient moments.

I sent the following email to the EPS (Edmonton Police Service):


I'll post the results here if/when they reply.  :)

I've seen several police abuse videos but I also am partly in denial.
I tend to think most cops are decent, and there is only a small % of really bad ones.

However, if the "good ones" respect a code of silence and never report the "bad ones", then are any of them decent?

 Information like this is very important and shouldn't be taken for granted.  Cops abuse their position as authority figures on a daily basis and that has a negative outcome of the lives of many people.  Anything we can do to protect or selves is crucial these days if you ask me.  This thread is going on my watchlist for future reference, thanks.

"Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely" --Lord Acton

Thanks for posting this. Too many times videos of dirty cops are lost because they just snatch the phone or camera away.

Sounds like the kind of thing my brother would love.
I'm too much of a wuss. I'd just accept the ticket, not talk back, be on my way...

Most of the time, being respectful to cops is a good idea.
Live to see another day.

Years ago I worked with a guy who seemed to be quiet and peaceful. I saw him leave after work on Friday and on Monday people came in and said the police had killed him.
Why?
He was too slow to put down his cell phone; The cops claimed they thought it was a gun.  :(

Yeah life is getting cheaper to some police and I wouldn't want to be a victim of some trigger happy cop.

No reply yet.  :(

They'd claim a flat sheet of tin foil was a gun; "qualified immunity" will let you get away with murder if you wear a badge.

Cellphones are nowhere near the dimensions of guns anymore.
http://forums.androidcentral.com/attachments/general-news-discussion/96935d1387166083t-post-your-cell-phone-history-superstock_1895-42678.jpg

He was a soft spoken guy who seemed very peaceful, and his wife and kids suddenly lost their husband/father.
I can still "hear" his voice saying have a good weekend the last time I saw him at work.
Respecting the police is something I learned as a child, but these days it's pretty hard.