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