Uploaded May 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
A Message from Sheriff Gahler:
I have been made aware of the concerns brought to the attention of our Office today regarding the arrest of an individual interfering with a traffic stop last night. In 2018, I authorized a policy addressing a citizen’s right to videotape law enforcement. Individuals have a First Amendment right to record a member of our Office in the public discharge of his or her law enforcement duties as long as the individual’s actions do not interfere with the duties of the deputy or jeopardize the safety of the deputy or others. Members of the Sheriff's Office may not prevent or prohibit any person's ability to observe, photograph, and/or make a video recording of law enforcement activity that occurs in the public domain, AS LONG AS the person's location, actions, and/or behavior do not create a legitimate, articulable threat to the deputy’s safety or the safety of others, or an unlawful hindrance to successful resolution of the law enforcement activity. We remain committed to transparency and letting you, the citizen, know the full story. I encourage you to watch the entire arrest from the vantage point of the Deputy. A more thorough investigation is being conducted to review all the evidence, including additional body camera footage subsequent to the arrest, and in car camera video recordings. The results of this administrative investigation will be shared with our Harford County community when complete.
A Message from Sheriff Gahler:
I have been made aware of the concerns brought to the attention of our Office today regarding the arrest of an individual interfering with a traffic stop last night. In 2018, I authorized a policy addressing a citizen’s right to videotape law enforcement. Individuals have a First Amendment right to record a member of our Office in the public discharge of his or her law enforcement duties as long as the individual’s actions do not interfere with the duties of the deputy or jeopardize the safety of the deputy or others. Members of the Sheriff's Office may not prevent or prohibit any person's ability to observe, photograph, and/or make a video recording of law enforcement activity that occurs in the public domain, AS LONG AS the person's location, actions, and/or behavior do not create a legitimate, articulable threat to the deputy’s safety or the safety of others, or an unlawful hindrance to successful resolution of the law enforcement activity. We remain committed to transparency and letting you, the citizen, know the full story. I encourage you to watch the entire arrest from the vantage point of the Deputy. A more thorough investigation is being conducted to review all the evidence, including additional body camera footage subsequent to the arrest, and in car camera video recordings. The results of this administrative investigation will be shared with our Harford County community when complete.
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Harford County Sheriffs Office Recruitment Video [30s]")
