Is It Legal to Videotape, Record Police? - FindLaw Blotter
FindLaw Blotter - The FindLaw Crime and Criminals Blog  Is It
Legal to Videotape, Record Police?  While state laws don't
explicitly say whether it's legal to videotape police, courts
around the country have agreed that it's legal under the First
Amendment -- even during protests or during traffic stops.
Here are two questions you may want to ask yourself before you
hit the record button:  Are You in a Public or Private Space?
Public Space  In general, you are allowed to record on-duty
police in public when you're legally authorized to be there, the
police activity is in plain view, and you're openly recording
them (not secretly).  But even in public spaces, police officers
may legally order you to cease activities that are truly
interfering with legitimate law enforcement operations, which
may include your recording them. However, such operations are
subject to public scrutiny, including by citizens videotaping
them, according to the ACLU.  Private