They point theirs at us when we protest and as we drive down the street, but keep your Canon in your pocket if the police are doing anything!
A lovely New Year’s Eve at the Taste sent this mouse onto the mean streets of Salamanca Place in the early hours of the first day on this year. After being temporarily blinded by flashing blue lights it became clear that the police, all 30 of them, had whatever disturbance had occured sorted and under control. The uniforms seemed to be forming a queue for coffee at Retro but, of course, were dealing with more serious matters, all 30 of them.

With images of Rodney King slurring in my oyster-shooted brain I pulled out the trusty Canon and took some pics of the impressive sea of blue, as well as a few quick video grabs.

Why, in this most public of places, in this most photographed of public places did the police most strenuosly object to pictures being taken of the scene and of them lawfully going about their work?

The harrasment directed to me in a seemingly organised fashion by 4 individual young police with the approval of the more senior officer present indicate to me that Tasmania Police have been directed to not allow individuals to record any of their actions.

Can anyone tell what legal basis do Tasmania Police have for attempting to stop me using my camera in a public place? and would the young lady in blue who looks so fiery on video as she tells me to “take my camera and bugger off” please reassure her sarge who chimed in with “just #### off” that his voice is pitched perfectly.