Above the Law

Our streets are plagued by a uniformed gang who threaten and assault witness to their actions.

The Canadian Press
April 7, 2009 at 4:53 PM EDT
VANCOUVER — The B.C. Civil Liberties Association wants Vancouver police reminded that they can't just seize photos and videos from witnesses.
The association said there have been three incidents where police have tried to seize cameras and video cameras — all three in cases of police-involved shootings.
In a complaint to board chairman Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, association executive director David Eby outlined his concerns that police officers are interfering with the rights of those taking pictures or video.
The police department doesn't have adequate policy on when police can seize cameras, so officers are making mistakes, Mr. Eby said Tuesday.
“What's particularly troubling to us is that the three high-profile allegations ... all involve police using lethal force against citizens,” he said.
The most recent of the complaints involves a newspaper photographer whose arm was twisted behind his back by an officer when he refused to give up his camera outside a police shooting on Sunday. (Emphasis added.)

Just how unaccountable are these police going to get? Threatening and assaulting witnesses to lethal force, erasing evidence and as the Braidwood Inquiry showed, blatantly lying when called to account.

It's beginning to seem like the only sane response is aiming cameras at the police at all times that they are in public view.

Just remember the mantra: "No officer, I have a right to photograph you and you do not have the right or my permission to seize my camera."