Bill protects those taping police

Hartford, Conn. (WTNH) - A new bill aims to protect citizens who shoot video or take pictures of police.

Many people have some kind of device that takes pictures and video, but do you have the right to take pictures of the cops?

A New Haven priest was arrested in East Haven while taking video of a police incident at a store there back in 2009.

A Quinnipiac student ended up in custody after recording video of an arrest outside Toad's Place in New Haven. During what was called Operation Nightlife, the New Haven police claim students at a club called Elevate ignored their orders to put away cell phones.

The majority leader in the state Senate is from New Haven and concerned about all of these incidents.

"Clearly it was highlighted by those incidents in New Haven and East Haven and I think that everyone needs to be aware that a citizen does have a right to document police behavior as long as it doesn't constitute an interference with an officer in the performance of his duties," said Sen. Martin Looney, (D) Majority Leader.

It would mean that a department, a municipality, an individual officer, or all three could be sued for damages because of the arrest of someone just shooting video.

"By creating a civil action for damages for when the police arrest someone for that legitimate action, I think that will underscore the fact that this is something that people have a right to do," Looney said.

The Connecticut Police Chiefs Association doesn't even have a position on it yet but Chief James Strillacci says,"I understand the sentiment behind this proposal. There could be a right to civil action already on the books, but I haven't yet read the bill."