More than anything I was disappointed in how Gylfie bullies Nee and especially how he threatens to turn his name over to the FBI to have him detained and inconvenienced in the future simply because the officer has the power to put his name on a list. As photographers we should not be subjected to this sort of harassment by law enforcement. Using 9/11 and terrorism as a bully pulpit is no excuse. It is simply not illegal to photograph subways. This video should make you mad. Abusive cops like Gylfie don’t deserve to wear the badge. - Thomas Hawk

Please take a second and WATCH THIS VIDEO. This sort of thing should not be happening in America. - Thomas Hawk

how can the situation be improved? do officers require additional training to become familiar with the law? or is oversight lacking by superiors? - Mike Chelen

Mike, it's just pure and simple ego on the part of a cop who wants people to bow down and worship at his feet and who wants to make up the law as he sees fit. I'm sure this officer knew it wasn't illegal. He just is a bully and probably gets away with it 99% of the time. It's our job to make sure he doesn't get away with it this time. Threatening to put photographers on restricted FBI travel lists is really, really, bad stuff. He shouldn't get away with this. - Thomas Hawk

Every citizen needs to know this: http://criminal.findlaw.com/crimes... "But does a person have to respond to police questions if he or she hasn't been arrested? A police officer generally cannot arrest a person simply for failure to respond to questions. The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the "right of silence." This means that unless a police officer has "probable cause" to make an arrest or a "reasonable suspicion" to conduct a "stop and frisk," a person approached by the police officer has the legal right to refuse to answer questions. Indeed, a person who has reason to believe that he or she is a potential suspect should politely decline to answer questions, at least until after consulting an attorney. This general rule may not hold true if the officer suspects the person of loitering. Laws in effect in many states generally define loitering as "wandering about from place to place without apparent business, such that the person poses a threat to public safety." Under these laws, if a police officer sees a person loitering, the officer can demand identification and an explanation of the person's activities. If the person fails to comply, the officer can arrest the person for loitering." - April Russo (app103)

It's very simple. If an officer stops you and begins questioning you, ask if you are under arrest. If the officer says no, then ask if you are free to leave. If he says no, then stfu and demand a lawyer. If he says yes, then leave his immediate presence, promptly, and go about your business. If he stops you again, repeat. - April Russo (app103)