Arizona lawmakers announced that they have moved to make filming police officers illegal within 8 feet. The measure was signed into law by Republican Gov. Doug Ducey on Thursday.
According to PBS, "the law makes it illegal in Arizona to knowingly video police officers 8 feet (2.5 meters) or closer without an officer’s permission." Additionally, "Someone on private property with the owner’s consent can also be ordered to stop recording if a police officer finds they are interfering or the area is not safe. The penalty is a misdemeanor that would likely incur a fine without jail time."
The law has drawn opposition from civil rights groups that see it as a regressive measure in the face of movements across the country calling for more police transparency. Moreover, filming police has been critical evidence in prosecuting officers of the law, most notably the eventual conviction of Derek Chauvin which resulted from bystander video.
Source: Pbs.org
