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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate NEWS NOW Barbershop-style singers help local schools ... Water plant upgrade to increase water bills ... Giving back to the givers ... Barbershop-style singers help local schools ... Water plant upgrade to increase water bills ... Giving back to the givers ... LEGISLATURE Oregon bill would prohibit charges for filming police Comment By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Apr. 20, 2015 at 8:19 PM By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Apr. 20, 2015 at 8:19 PM » Social News SALEM — The Oregon Legislature is looking to make sure it's legal for citizens to film the police, as long as they don't interfere. The House Judiciary Committee approved a bill Monday that says merely videotaping a police, parole or probation officer does not constitute the crime of interfering with the official's duties. The committee's 7-2 vote sends the measure to the full House. The American Civil Liberties Union, which supports the bill, says Oregon law isn't clear on the legality of videotaping police officers. The ACLU says people who document arrests and the use of force shouldn't be subject to arrest and prosecution for eavesdropping or interfering with law enforcement. Kimberly McCullough, an ACLU lobbyist, pointed to the video of a white South Carolina police officer shooting Walter Scott, a black man running from the officer. "If something like that is criminal in Oregon, then people are going to be afraid to take those kinds of videos, and we don't want that sort of speech to get chilled," McCullough said. Rep. Jeff Barker, a Democrat from Aloha who chairs the Judiciary Committee, said the bill's language will be fine-tuned in the Senate to ensure, for example, that people can't legally use a powerful microphone to surreptitiously record officers discussing tactical plans. Law enforcement officials don't object to the bill but want to ensure officers' privacy is protected when they're not involved in an encounter with the public, said Kevin Campbell, a lobbyist for the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police. It shouldn't be legal to secretly record two officers eating lunch and talking about their families, he said. "I think most law enforcement officers expect to be taped when they're involved in an encounter," Campbell said. "We want to make sure there's safety there." By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Apr. 20, 2015 at 8:19 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501