WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) - Police Chief James M. Gallagher has agreed to some modifications to his department’s policy for photographing protesters and demonstrations in public places, but not all that a local watchdog group wanted.
Gallagher said the recommendations from the Worcester County Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts would severely and unnecessarily impede the lawful collection of information.
“The decision to take photographs of public events or demonstrations is done in the interest of, and with the intent to, protect the public safety of all citizens,” Gallagher told the Telegram & Gazette of Worcester.
The issue surfaced in October when an undercover officer photographed demonstrators at a peace vigil organized by Worcester Peace Works. Since then, police have taken photos at other rallies and demonstrations even though the Police Department did not have a policy in place to govern such activity until May.
Gallagher said the policy that was eventually adopted is intended to ensure that all such photographic activities are conducted reasonably and uniformly, and that all photos are cataloged and controlled.
“The policy was established as a management tool that is intended to balance the rights of groups and individuals to gather and demonstrate in public places, with the ability of the police department to conduct reasonable and lawful law enforcement activities,” he said.
Gallagher said he believes a yearly examination of the files, and purging of those photos deemed disposable, is reasonable and adequate.
Among the modifications is a provision that states: “A copy of all written requests for access to photo files that are subject to this policy will be retained in a file.”
Ronal C. Madnick, executive director of the local ACLU chapter, said that while the ACLU is pleased that a policy is now in place and changes have been made to it, the ACLU still has a fundamental objection to photographing peaceful and lawful public demonstrations.