Supreme Court rejects plea to ban taping of police in Illinois

[Jenna]

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear an appeal of a controversial Illinois law prohibiting people from recording police officers on the job.
By passing on the issue, the justices left in place a federal appeals court ruling that found that the state's anti-eavesdropping law violates free-speech rights when used against people who audiotape police officers.

Illinois' eavesdropping law is one of the harshest in the country, making audio recording of a law enforcement officer — even while on duty and in public — a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Alvarez argued that allowing the recording of police would discourage civilians from speaking candidly to officers and could cause problems securing crime scenes or conducting sensitive investigations.
But a federal appeals panel ruled that the law "restricts far more speech than necessary to protect legitimate privacy interests."

Supreme Court rejects plea to ban taping of police in Illinois - chicagotribune.com

[Pudge]

At any given time during my day I'm recorded by my own body cam, dash cam, pocket recorder, MDC, Radio recorder, GPS, etc. One more recording device in the mix doesn't bother me barring a clear cut threat to my safety or that of others.

We're performing our jobs as "public servants", prohibiting the public from recording us doing the jobs we are sworn to do for them (even the anti police) is ridiculous.

[SteelCityK9Cop]

Personally..... if worry about being taped prevents officers from acting like ass hats and makes us more professional I'm all for it.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[lewisipso]

I don't know why this is still an issue. Cameras are not going away. As long as I don't have to wear one of those bouncy clip on watch me take a piss uniform cameras I could care less.