What are your views on Police Accountability organizations?

Groups like Cop Block and others really do not bother me. There is a chapter of cop block where I live and work. As a police officer, both in the military and as a civilian, I know that I am accountable for my actions. I was hired to represent the city and to uphold the laws of our state and city ordinances. If some guy/gal wants to video tape me and accuse me of not doing my job properly, go right ahead. I have personally experienced such actions. Generally, though most are well educated and researched on local, stated, and federal laws, they do not have all of the facts for the particular situation they are filming.

As an example, I had an individual show up on a scene where I had responded to a call for a suicidal subject trying to walk in front of vehicles on a busy section of highway in my city. Myself and another officer responded with medical personnel to assist the subject. While suicide is not a crime, we responded to ensure his safety and wellbeing. The individual recording the call showed up after the subject was placed into the back of the ambulance and voluntarily went to the hospital for an evaluation by a doctor. What he was recording was in fact me speaking with the gas station attendant - a friend of the subject - getting background on the subject that would provided pertinent information to the doctors. It was discovered that the subject was diagnosed with PTSD from his time in the military. His friend was also military and a combat medic for a local PSYOPS unit.

Later that night I observed the subject recording the incident following me around town. I noticed that his vehicle's left brake light was not working and decided to conduct a traffic stop to inform him of the infraction. Immediately upon my approach to the vehicle, the driver was confrontational. I introduced myself and informed him of the reason for the stop. The driver immediately denied the infraction stating he knew for a fact that all of his lights on the vehicle were working properly; making my stop illegal. Furthermore, he refused to identify himself or provided me with his driver's license, proof of insurance, or proof of vehicle registration; all, of which, violates state law. This entire traffic stop was being audio and video recorded from my patrol vehicle's camera and by him using his smart phone. Due to his demeanor, I requested additional officers to back me on the stop. By state law, his refusal to identify himself or provide any time of identification could result him in going to jail for obstruction of governmental operations, failure to provide proof of insurance, and failure to provide proof of vehicle ownership. Eventually, after he had threatened me that he was going to "have my job" and that I was violating his fourth amendment rights, we were able to get him to agree to us using his phone to record his break light not working properly. Once he realized that he was infact wrong in his assumptions, he cooperated with my requests for his information. He was given a warning for the infraction and sent on his way.

I was later asked by another officer who had responded why I did not cite him for the infraction after he had given me so much grief. I explained that on any other stop, I would have done the same thing by giving a warning and instructing the driver to fix the infraction.

Long story short, as long as I am conducting myself the way I am supposed to, anyone can video record me all they want. It comes with the territory of being a civil servant.

Absolutely vital in the modern day and age. I have very little trust for law enforcement modernly, especially when I'm living in a society with people who seem to like to tell me "If you have nothing to fear, you shouldn't be worried about a little surveillance" but when the citizenry films the State... well now, that's an invasion of privacy!

Here's my thoughts: I don't think any of these groups have any nationally accepted standards / certifications that will stand up in court re: legitimacy. I think I understand what they're attempting - but antagonizing the cops and interfering with police actions is not the way to do this.