Pixiq

What I almost find more disturbing is that the person would not identify who they were. Law enforcement officers are required to identify themselves as such and produce credentials when requested to by the public. I'm not talking badge either. All law enforcement officials must carry their issued identification cards/papers on their persons while on duty. I should know, I used to be a cop.

At the point where the person would not identify who they are or what crime I was being charged with I would have got up and proceeded to leave. In most states a person has the right to resist an unlawful arrest, up to and including the use of deadly force (please note I am not advocating that. i am merely explaining the law). A person who refuses to identify who they are or what crime I am being charged with is in fact kidnapping me, by detaining my movement. or at the least it is false imprisonment.

Until the average person wakes up, reads the law, the constitution, and begins to understand how much our freedoms are in jeopardy we will never "fix" these issue.

So on reading Frischling's blog post, I have to wonder if the trooper was clueless and lied to, or clueless and a liar.

[EDIT]

I also note that he was good enough to produce the magic numbers he was able to call while being detained. I think a number of commenters on his site are right: having these numbers immediately at hand and perhaps knowing people on the other end probably had more more influence over his outcome than anything else.

TSA Public Affairs
(571) 227-2829

http://www.tsa.gov/contact/index.shtm

Members of the traveling public who believe that they have been unlawfully discriminated against by a TSA employee may contact the External Compliance Division in the Office of Civil Rights to have their concerns addressed, by sending an E-mail to TSA.OCR -ExternalCompliance@dhs.gov or by calling the Office of Civil Rights.

The Office of Civil Rights can be reached toll free at 1-877-EEO-4-TSA (1-877-336-4872) or (800) 877-8339 (TTY), or by E-mail at TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov

contact the Ombudsman, phone 1-571-227-2383 or 1-877-266-2837 toll-free.

E-mail: TSA.Ombudsman@dhs.gov

One of our photojournalism Students at Western Kentucky University shot this video at the Nashville Airport and handled it all very well, eventually putting the officer in his place about the rules as they're stated on the TSA site. Luke Sharrett, the photographer was a 1-year intern at the New York Times and was assigned to the White House press pool.

Here's the link to his video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq4E9MkTUIU

Josh Meltzer
Photojournalist-in-Residence
Western Kentucky University

"Law enforcement officers are required to identify themselves as such and produce credentials when requested to by the public."

That is such a pre-911 mentality.
Welcome to the New Order whereby not only
do you not have a right to face your accuser,
now you don't even get to find out
your accuser's identity!!

you know, I remember they didn't like you shooting photos in airports back when I was in Pakistan

I've also been detained after taking pictures of my daughter going through screening at O'Hare. I was also told it was 'against the law' to photograph TSA screeners at a security checkpoint. At that point I was about twenty feet away from the checkpoint, and standing off to one side.

When I asked to see the 'law', they only summoned two more screeners who began asking questions like who I was, why I was there, who I worked for, etc. When I refused to answer, they summoned a Chicago cop. The cop initially agreed with the TSA agents, but when I asked him if I had broken a federal, state, or city law, he just walked away.

I finally just turned and walked away also, with two of the TSA agents shouting after me.

I emailed my county airport (Monroe County home of Rochester NY) about any county laws restricting photography and this is what they sent me:

"Good morning. In order to be permitted to photograph at the airport, you need to submit a formal request including the date and time you would like to take pictures here. Also, you will need to include the purpose of taking the photographs. Is it for an education purpose? For publication? You will need to be as specific as possible.

Once this request is submitted it needs to be approved by the appropriate personnel here. If it is approved, you will then need to fill out a hold harmless/indemnity agreement form.

Please note that the Greater Rochester International Airport DOES NOT allow any photos to be taken in or near the Security Checkpoint.

Thank you. "

I emailed the County attorney asking if there were any county laws restricting this.

I just may have to go to the airport anyways.....

I emailed my county airport (Monroe County home of Rochester NY) about any county laws restricting photography and this is what they sent me:

"Good morning. In order to be permitted to photograph at the airport, you need to submit a formal request including the date and time you would like to take pictures here. Also, you will need to include the purpose of taking the photographs. Is it for an education purpose? For publication? You will need to be as specific as possible.

Once this request is submitted it needs to be approved by the appropriate personnel here. If it is approved, you will then need to fill out a hold harmless/indemnity agreement form.

Please note that the Greater Rochester International Airport DOES NOT allow any photos to be taken in or near the Security Checkpoint.

Thank you. "

I emailed the County attorney asking if there were any county laws restricting this.

I just may have to go to the airport anyways.....

"Connecticut State Trooper who told him it was a “federal offense” to take pictures of TSA officials.

Has the CT state police been accorded new federal jurisdiction recently ? We're not doing the Federal-State thingy anymore ?

I was once a hall monitor in school. Would I have federal jurisdiction now too ? You know, because of 9-11...and terrorists and such.