Oregon bill would prohibit charges for filming police

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Legislature is looking to make it 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 a vote in 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.

Critics of the bill worry about protecting officers' privacy and ensuring people can't surreptitiously record tactical conversations.