Why Police Protest Against Being Filmed: More Than Just Bias

There are thousands of videos on YouTube of police officers in various settings, seemingly protesting against being filmed. However, the perception often painted is misleading.

1. Confirmation Bias in Selective Reporting

According to confirmation bias, people tend to remember and seek out information that confirms their beliefs. In the context of police interaction videos, viewers might focus on a small selection of videos, often featuring officers reacting negatively, while overlooking the countless instances of peaceful and courteous interactions that do not make it to YouTube.

If you were to randomly select 100 videos and choose only 10 where the police react negatively, and then post videos from those 10, you would get the impression that the police frequently protest being filmed. However, this is a biased and incomplete representation of the broader picture.

2. Understanding the Police Perspective

It is important to consider the police viewpoint. If someone were to follow you around filming, intentionally making biased edits to the footage, and then posting the video to cast you in a negative light, how would you feel? Would you protest against being filmed? This is a scenario many police officers could encounter.

The police do not like the idea of their actions being misrepresented or distorted. They are trained professionals and rightfully concerned that videos can be used to make them look like criminals or to incite public fear.

3. Evidence of Real Bias

Personally, I have worked with over several thousand police officers in various regions, and I have yet to encounter any of them complaining about being filmed. Many of us find these protests amusing, particularly when officers frantically try to frantically take out their camera to respond, a common theme in some footage.

The few videos that do make it to YouTube are often from instances where the filming was disruptive or unprofessional. Conversely, many courteous and professional interactions that do not involve any bias or disturbances do not get shared.

4. The Need for Balanced Reporting

For a more balanced and accurate understanding, it is essential to seek out a range of viewpoints and a broader set of data. Both supporters and critics of the police should strive to present a full picture, including both positive and negative interactions, to provide a holistic view of policing.

Only through such balanced reporting can we prevent the propagation of confirmation bias and gain a more nuanced understanding of police-protest situations and their underlying reasons.

In conclusion, the police protests against filming may not be as wide-spread or universal as some might believe. However, the context and the potential for biased representation must be considered. Both the police and the public should aim to foster a more transparent and balanced discussion around community policing and the use of video recordings in various settings.