The Dallas Police Department respects the Constitutional rights of all people and recognizes the importance of transparency and honesty in its operations.  To that end, the department will co-host a class for law enforcement officers on the rights of citizens to record and photograph in public.  In cooperation with the Dallas Sheriff’s Office (DSO), the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD), the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA), Region 8 – National Press Photographers Association, Sigma Delta Chi / The foundation of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Fort Worth Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, the course will address First and Fourth Amendment rights, search and seizure, exigent circumstances, federal civil rights lawsuits against police agencies as well as an analysis and update on the most recent cases and court rulings dealing with these issues. For additional information check out the event’s website!

Mickey H. Osterreicher, general counsel for the National Press Photographers Association, will discuss the “coextensive” right of both the press and the public to photograph and record as well as provide practical advice regarding the best ways to handle these situations.  The program is offered at no charge to law enforcement, fire/rescue officers, public information officers/managers at any Texas government agency or department.

In addition to the law enforcement class, the collective sponsors for the event will host a moderated Public Panel Discussion which will be open to the public.  The panel will consist of a local journalist or photojournalist, a representative of a local police department, a representative of a local police association and a local First Amendment attorney.  This event will happen on the evening of October 16, 2014 in the Hoblitzelle Auditorium of the Bill J. Priest Institute campus.  Doors for this event will open at 6:00pm with introductions and welcomes starting at 6:45pm.  The event is scheduled to conclude at 9:00pm.  Local media is invited to attend and will be given an opportunity to set up cameras, microphones, etc… before the event. Continue reading →