Another case of Police Overstepping the mark
115 posts
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Posted 23/02/2010 - 19:32
There was an article in The Daily Mail a few weeks ago about a similar situation and they printed this guide, which I scanned, printed, and keep in my wallet.
I have no idea if this is the definitive answer to over zealous police, but it's something.
25 posts
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Posted 24/02/2010 - 16:12
The fault here was entirely the PCSO's, in days gone by a police officer would have approached you discreetly and very quickly sussed out if you were a threat or not just by chatting with you for a few minutes, nowadays some jumped up PCSO approaches you with the words "Section 44, come over here and give us your details", and this immediately escalates the situation.
Lord Carlyle, the anti-terror watchdog, and ACPO have repeatedly told them that Section 44 is a special power that should only be used in exceptional circumstances and when there is a real threat, and not to routinely stop people from going about their lawful business, but the message just doesn't seem to get through.
These people have done more harm to community relations than anyone, and they are now viewed as "Them" rather than us. Their total lack of proper training, common sense, and understanding of the law, coupled with an attitude of "I'm wearing a uniform, therefore I must be right" is damaging the reputation of the police, and removing any trust that we previously had for them.
Lord Carlyle, the anti-terror watchdog, and ACPO have repeatedly told them that Section 44 is a special power that should only be used in exceptional circumstances and when there is a real threat, and not to routinely stop people from going about their lawful business, but the message just doesn't seem to get through.
These people have done more harm to community relations than anyone, and they are now viewed as "Them" rather than us. Their total lack of proper training, common sense, and understanding of the law, coupled with an attitude of "I'm wearing a uniform, therefore I must be right" is damaging the reputation of the police, and removing any trust that we previously had for them.
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Posted 24/02/2010 - 16:46
Although this was a very disturbing video one question was not answered. Just how was the photographer positioning himself and his camera? That seemed to be the reason for the police concern and I didn't hear anyone explain what the photographer was doing.
The press pass mentioned by "gartmore" is a good idea but this fellow said he was more of an amateur photographer then a photographer for a particular news agency. Can he get one in an amateur capacity?
And by the way what is "anti-social behavior" and why should the police be governing this? I hope this Orwellian police behavior doesn't get to the USA.
The press pass mentioned by "gartmore" is a good idea but this fellow said he was more of an amateur photographer then a photographer for a particular news agency. Can he get one in an amateur capacity?
And by the way what is "anti-social behavior" and why should the police be governing this? I hope this Orwellian police behavior doesn't get to the USA.
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Posted 24/02/2010 - 18:08
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/5024297.Police_used_terror_legislation_to_stop_...
They used Section 43 for this one
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They used Section 43 for this one
Pentax K10d; Metz mecablitz 48 AF-1; Pentax A 50mm F2; Pentax 18-55mm DAII; Sigma 28-300mm F3.5-5.6; Koboron 24-70mm F3.5-4.8. Pentax MZ-7, Zenit 35mm
My Flickr Photos
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Posted 24/02/2010 - 18:17
I don't want to get started on this one but hopefully a change of Government may make someone look at what freedom and liberty really mean and remind the police who it is they serve.
But I'm not holding my breath.
Andrew
Best wishes,
Andrew
"These places mean something and it's the job of a photographer to figure-out what the hell it is."
Robert Adams
"The camera doesn't make a bit of difference. All of them can record what you are seeing. But, you have to SEE."
Ernst Hass
My website: http://www.ephotozine.com/user/bwlchmawr-199050 http://s927.photobucket.com/home/ADC3440/index
https://www.flickr.com/photos/78898196@N05
But I'm not holding my breath.
Andrew
Best wishes,
Andrew
"These places mean something and it's the job of a photographer to figure-out what the hell it is."
Robert Adams
"The camera doesn't make a bit of difference. All of them can record what you are seeing. But, you have to SEE."
Ernst Hass
My website: http://www.ephotozine.com/user/bwlchmawr-199050 http://s927.photobucket.com/home/ADC3440/index
https://www.flickr.com/photos/78898196@N05
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Posted 25/02/2010 - 08:40
alaskadog wrote:
Although this was a very disturbing video one question was not answered. Just how was the photographer positioning himself and his camera? That seemed to be the reason for the police concern and I didn't hear anyone explain what the photographer was doing.
The press pass mentioned by "gartmore" is a good idea but this fellow said he was more of an amateur photographer then a photographer for a particular news agency. Can he get one in an amateur capacity?
And by the way what is "anti-social behavior" and why should the police be governing this? I hope this Orwellian police behavior doesn't get to the USA.
Although this was a very disturbing video one question was not answered. Just how was the photographer positioning himself and his camera? That seemed to be the reason for the police concern and I didn't hear anyone explain what the photographer was doing.
The press pass mentioned by "gartmore" is a good idea but this fellow said he was more of an amateur photographer then a photographer for a particular news agency. Can he get one in an amateur capacity?
And by the way what is "anti-social behavior" and why should the police be governing this? I hope this Orwellian police behavior doesn't get to the USA.
You need to be a pro and a member of the Broadcasting Entertainment and Cinematographic Trade Union (BECTU) or the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) to get a press card, my point about the card was that in the past it never seemed necessary to bother carrying one.
The way it works is that the police or whoever call the number on the back and are given my PIN which I would then have to tell them thereby confirming my identity and that the card is genuine.
Ken
“We must avoid however, snapping away, shooting quickly and without thought, overloading ourselves with unnecessary images that clutter our memory and diminish the clarity of the whole.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson -
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Road_Dancer
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Pentax K10d; Metz mecablitz 48 AF-1; Pentax A 50mm F2; Pentax 18-55mm DAII; Sigma 28-300mm F3.5-5.6; Koboron 24-70mm F3.5-4.8. Pentax MZ-7, Zenit 35mm
My Flickr Photos