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'Reality TV' treads on 4th Amendment rights

In recent years, some police agencies have formed unholy alliances with syndicated "reality" television programs, letting the TV shows grab dramatic footage of police raids for entertainment value.

The shows give police a lot of positive publicity, and the police give the shows a cheap means of producing programs. Trouble is, according to the Supreme Court, when cameras are invited along on searches, suspects' rights get, in the parlance of TV-land, canceled.

In the eyes of the court, media "ride alongs" may violate Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure. The court ruled that police agencies may be held financially liable (i.e. they can be sued for damages) if camera crews collect footage on private property without getting permission from the individuals filmed.

It is a reasonable ruling that balances the public's interest in crime reportage &emdash; no matter how sensationalistic it might be &emdash; and the right of an innocent person to avoid nationwide broadcast of his arrest.

Indeed, the Los Angeles Police and other agencies heavily involved in "reality TV" said in reaction to the ruling that they have initiated policies that mirror the court's ruling.

Good.

Police should not put themselves in the position of being tempted by publicity to conduct dramatic raids, and those accused of crimes have constitutional protections that must be honored.

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