Policy on members of the public photographing police in public.
M. Gilmour made this Official Information request to New Zealand Police
The request was successful.
From: M. Gilmour
Dear New Zealand Police,
By way of background, I recently attempted to take a photograph of the aftermath of a vehicle accident, while in an area accessible to the public and outside of the police cordon. If it is relevant, there were no visible victims or blood or similar. I was told that it was illegal to photograph a crime scene under investigation and ordered to delete any photos taken.
I believe I was within my rights, but complied to avoid causing a scene when the police and fire personnel on the scene had better things to do.
Can you please share any police policy, legal advice, internal documents, or any other material that would shed light on whether ordering me to stop taking photos and delete what I had was in fact a legal & valid request?
Yours faithfully,
M. Gilmour
From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police
Tēnā koe M. Gilmore
I acknowledge receipt of your Official Information Act 1982 request below, received by Police on 5 April.
Your reference number is IR-01-23-10896.
You can expect a response to your request on or before 8 May 2023 unless an extension is needed.
Ngā mihi
Sophie
Ministerial Services
Police National Headquarters
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From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police
Tēnā koe M Gilmour
Please find attached the response to your Official Information Act
request, received by New Zealand Police on 5 April 2023.
Please accept our apologies for the delay in providing you with this
response.
Ngā mihi
Dylan
Dylan
Advisor | Ministerial Services | Police National Headquarters
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From: M. Gilmour
Dear Ministerial Services,
Thank you Dylan.
Yours sincerely,
M. Gilmour
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