Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed a law banning residents from videotaping within eight feet of “police activity” on Sunday. The law classifies knowingly shooting within eight feet of police officers as a Class 3 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail, $500 in fines and up to one year of probation, according to Arizona law. The law says officers must warn anyone filming at least once before they can be charged with a crime. The law defines police activity as any time law enforcement officers arrest, question a suspicious person, issue a summons, handle an emotionally disturbed or disorderly person who exhibits abnormal behavior, or enforce the law. Critics argue that the law could allow officers to simply walk up to anyone filming them in order to legally stop the recording. MINNESOTA POLICE CAMERA SHOWS DAUNTE WRIGHT’S MOM IN TENSIONAL EXCHANGE WITH POLICE: ‘I WILL SUE YOU’ Police in riot gear surround the Arizona Capitol after protesters reached the front of the Arizona Senate building as protesters reacted to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the landmark abortion decision Roe v. Wade Friday, June 24, 2022. in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (Associated press) TEXAS POLICE OFFICER ACCUSED OF NOT USING ‘LESS LEADING WEAPON IN SHOOTING OF ARMY VET ACCUSED OF WOMAN’S STABBING’ State Rep. John Kavanagh, the Repulbican who introduced the bill, argues that officers would have no reason to move toward someone filming beyond the eight-foot perimeter as long as the person was not suspicious, according to the Arizona Mirror. Democrats in the state legislature disagreed. “I’ve been involved in efforts to film police officers doing their job, and you’re absolutely a suspect to law enforcement at that point. And they’re aggressively coming at you to see why you were taking video,” said Sen. Martin Quezada. Mirror. The new law comes about a year after President Joe Biden’s Justice Department announced an investigation into the Phoenix Police Department over reports of excessive force and mistreatment of homeless people. The investigation is still ongoing. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “One of the Civil Rights Division’s highest priorities is to ensure that every person in this country benefits from policing that is lawful, effective, transparent and non-discriminatory,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clark said at the time. “Police officers across the country must use their authority in a way that upholds the Constitution, complies with federal civil rights laws, and respects human dignity.”
