Another Arrest

But there is a clear difference between a police officer & police community support officer.

If a complaint is made by the public then the police have to investigate it. The majority of these stories start of with either a security warden or a PCSO getting their knickers in a twist about what you can & cannot photograph.

It is the power mad I have a uniform brigade that are the problem. By the way I am not a police officer or PCSO

A Letter from the President of the RPS.


I have just received this from my brother who is a member.

Dear Member

I have received the following request from Alex Singleton of the Telegraph who wants to put a letter in the Sunday Telegraph (27 December 2009) regarding potential problems of photography in public places. If you feel that you would like to support it then please contact Mr. Singleton directly by the due deadline (third paragraph). I would stress that although the Society supports the need for clarity it is up to individual members as to whether they feel they can add their support.



The idea is to have the signatures of 365 photographers, which we need to secure by Tuesday lunchtime (as I will be off work from Wednesday for a few days). It will appear in the Sunday Telegraph on 27 December.

Could those willing to add their support, please send an email by the end of Monday 21 December to [email protected] with the subject line "Photography letter", giving their name, any relevant letters after their name (e.g. ARPS, FRPS), their website (optional - we may link to it in the online version of the letter) and a telephone number (which we will only use to verify their identity if we need to).

The letter reads as follows:

"As professional and amateur photographers, we are deeply concerned about the treatment of those taking pictures in public places. Photographers using equipment larger than a compact camera are frequently stopped and searched under anti-terrorist legislation, which they find humiliating.

"We do not believe it likely that real terrorists would bother to set up a tripod or use a heavy SLR camera, as perfectly satisfactory pictures for their purposes could be taken on a discrete camera phone. If our photography has an effect on law and order, it is beneficial, as wrongdoers are unlikely to commit crimes in close proximity to someone visibly holding a camera.

"Meanwhile, some in the police, especially PCSOs, believe it is illegal to take any pictures of a police officer. This is because of ambiguous legislation, introduced earlier this year, which made it an imprisonable offence to collect "information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism". Given the existence of Google street view, we do not believe the legislation should be used against ordinary photographers.

"In March, at a meeting with representatives of the Royal Photographic Society, the British Institute of Professional Photography and Amateur Photographer, the Home Office agreed to issue guidelines to police forces spelling out that the law must not be misused against those engaged in legitimate photographic activity. This does not appear to have had the desired effect.

"Rather than treat photographers as terrorists, the Government should amend the Anti-Terrorism Act to prevent its misuse and explain to forces that a hostile attitude towards photographers is unwelcome."


Best wishes,
Alex

--
Alex Singleton
Comment Desk
The Daily Telegraph/The Sunday Telegraph
111 Buckingham Palace Road
London SW1W 0DT
E: [email protected]
T: 020 7931 2858

So maybe try placing a pcso under citizens arrest for impersonating a police officer if he tries to detain you under the terrorism act or search, delete your photos.

Well, many of them are now working and living in OZ! (Thanks)

the ill informed PCSO isnt the only one around

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nieljohn/3468581131/

apologies as this pertains to the use of a nikon, and not a pentax!



These two PCSO's came up during the Fareham East District Scout's St. George's Day Parade. Having seen I was using two pro-dslr's I was approached by the older (more cynical and bitter?) one and asked "are you a child photographing pervert?". Further discussions seemed to indicate that part of their training included "most perverts use professional camera's"...So there you have it, perverts use pro gear, not cell phones and other small cameras! The younger one on the left just smiled, she had a lovely smile too, and didn't make any comment at all...And yes I was wearing my Scout "One World, One Promise" Necker!
NONE of the other photographers present, with lesser gear, got any attention

I think my first response would be to ask for his number and the name of his superior officer and report him.
That is soooo far out of order.!

That is a truly staggering comment to come out with, really he should be reported and trained or something.

Mike

I would say that they have grounds for a formal complaint. Slander applies to PCSOs just as it does to the rest of us.

The PCSO was a scruffy gum chewing poor example of a uniformed member of the public and a total prat!