By: Jayden Yao
Last Wednesday, a new law was signed and approved by the governor of Arizona,
Doug Ducey which makes it now illegal to record a police officer within 8 feet. The law
goes into effect in September later this year.
With this new law, it is illegal to record a law enforcement officer within 8 feet of where
the law enforcement activity is occurring. A violation of this law might result in 30 days in
jail as well as a fine as high as 500 dollars. This law does not apply to people in
vehicles, private property, or those who are subject to police.
Brett Kavanaugh, a Republican, wrote in an op-ed, “I can think of no reason why any
responsible person would need to come closer than eight feet to a police officer
engaged in a hostile or potentially hostile encounter. Such an approach is
unreasonable, unnecessary, and unsafe, and should be made illegal.”
Alan Chen, a professor at the University of Denver said there were many “outstanding
questions” about the new law, such as what they should do if the officer moves toward
them, even though they were recording from 8 feet away.
Chen said, “It might deter them from actually recording or might make them back up
even further than the eight feet that the law requires. There are certainly some First
Amendment concerns here.”
Some people do not agree with the law. The A.C.L.U of Arizona wrote that the new law
will make it more difficult to hold police accountable for misconduct.
In the past, recordings made by civilians gained widespread attention, and have been
presented in courtrooms. An example would be Darnella Frazier, who recorded the
former police officer, Derek Chauvin, while he murdered George Floyd. Her video was
different from the initial Police Department’s description of George Floyd’s death.
Quotes:
“I can think of no reason why any responsible person would need to come closer than
eight feet to a police officer engaged in a hostile or potentially hostile encounter. Such
an approach is unreasonable, unnecessary and unsafe, and should be made illegal.” -
Brett Kavanagh
“It might deter them from actually recording or might make them back up even further
than the eight feet that the law requires. There’s certainly some First Amendment
concerns here.” - Alan Chen