Arizona governor Doug Ducey has signed off on a bill making it illegal for citizens to videotape police officers within eight feet.
On Wednesday (July 6), Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed a new bill making it illegal to record within 8 feet of law enforcement activity. Sponsored by former police officer and Arizona State Rep. John Kavanagh, violators of House Bill 2319 can face a misdemeanor after receiving a verbal warning and proceeding to record.

“I have no problem with people videotaping police activity, when they’re a reasonable distance away,” Kavanagh told CBS 5 in Phoenix. “This bill simply says you’re free to photograph police officers, but if it’s a potentially dangerous situation, you simply have to stay back 8 feet. It’s a very reasonable bill, and only unreasonable people walk right into the middle of an arrest encounter. It’s dangerous for everybody.”

While bystanders are unable to film police interactions within eight feet, exceptions are made for those at the center of the interaction, those standing in an enclosed space on private property and occupants of a vehicle stopped by the police, as long as the recording does not interfere with law enforcement activity.

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