No Shooting In The Police Station

 

Addison Mikkelson, who was arrested over the holiday for obstruction of justice because he took some videos and pictures of Kansas law enforcement in action, returned to the police station in Topeka the following day. He wanted a copy of the video captured by law enforcement of his arrest. While he is, in fact, entitled to the video, his arrest changes the auspices of his entitlement. Information pertaining to or resulting from an encounter with a government entity that is just an encounter, and nothing more, can usually be obtained by written request citing the most recent update of the Freedom of Information Act.  Unfortunately, Addison was charged with a crime here, and law enforcement's video record of the event has become evidence. Addison, or his lawyer, must now subpoena this evidence, and if the case against him goes forward, Addison will be allowed to examine it. The court, rather than either party, has a certain amount of control over the evidence and it's uses until the charges are disposed. The uninvolved officer with whom Addison spoke has no authority to release evidence in the case to anyone. Ah.....kids!

If the police station in Topeka Kansas seriously wishes to forbid or limit any filming, a sign should be posted on their wall, stating that permission must be granted prior to filming or recording. It seems that a lot of police officers lately, despite the public aspect of the job, have been extremely camera-shy. While the interest in footage of abusive cops is undoubtedly growing, most civilians do not take exception to police officers caught doing their jobs professionally and courteously. When an officer is caught on camera behaving like a thug, and proceeds to behave even more like a thug upon finding out that he has been caught on camera, there's a problem. Addison Mikkelson obviously has a pastime, and hopefully a passion, for catching police in action on video; hopefully, he has the heart, soul, and good fortune required for this type of activism.

Shooting a documentary of the "history" of the police station in Topeka, Addison? Seriously? That's the most amusing thing I've heard all weekend! You should have just said, "Smile! You're on Candid Camera!"