What is your opinion of cop watching?

Cop watching is a legal activity which is currently a fad that seems to attract the bored and those who have nothing constructive to do. In time most of these people will find another stylish fad to make them feel like they have a purpose. The question of the moment seems to be will it be before or after some idiot does something stupid with a gun and gets shot? Texas does not allow open carry of handguns with the exception of some black powder models. So if you show up being aggressive and flaunting a revolver on your hip you can count on an active and vigorous response. Even after they determine that the weapon is legal (whether it be long gun or black powder revolver) they are still going to be highly focused on someone acting up while carrying a firearm. If I were on a jury deciding on an "obstruction" charge I would almost certainly side with the officer. If an officer were to be wounded or (God forbid) killed because of their activities, I'm sure they would face charges of aiding and abetting at the least. If these guys are serious about making a difference, leave the guns at home and schedule ride-alongs through the Department. Set some ground rules that will keep everyone safe.

Like many other things, if the cop is doing what they are suppose to be doing and the person filming isn't interfering then the cop has nothing to worry about. Unfortunately, many of the videos I have seen are of cops clearly over stepping the law or just as bad, completely ignorant of the law.

I don't have a problem with citizens watching the police as long as they don't get in the way of the Police doing their jobs.

Not sure of the need to carry a weapon in a drop holster and a belt holster as well...I assume the picture is of a law enforcement or military member based on the holsters.

It's necessary but not because of the Michael Brown or Eric Garner deaths.

Unfortunately in today's society everyone has to watch everyone and everyone has to watch what there doing! I believe there are wonderful law enforcement folks out their but i can tell you there are some very crooked law enforcement aswell as corrupt da,s and judges

Several points - the photo is misleading. The article to which this thread seems to be referring can be found below. In Texas it is lawful to openly carry a long-arm. To carry openly as depicted in the photo is illegal. The guy in the article was legally, openly, carrying a long-arm and an antique side-arm which is also legal. Given the increasingly documented militarization of different law enforcement (and some non-police gov't agencies) I think it is highly appropriate for us, as citizens, to assert our rights.

Some have said it is threatening behavior to openly carry a long- or side-arm. My response is that doing so legally is not threatening. It is up to the individual officer to use his discretion regarding whether or not someone is carrying their long-arm in a threatening manner (generally, if it's slung over a shoulder or across the back you're good), and then to disarm the person in accordance with the law.

Are gun owners who exercise their right to carry a weapon openly where legal "idiots?" Of course everyone has their opinion, but my question is this: "Is a right that is not exercised really a right?" Put another way "A right not exercised is a right lost."

The cop watchers are attention seeking media whores(sorry but they tick me off) looking for an excuse to scapegoat good officers doing their jobs. Even with the number of high profile incidents, it's still only a very small fraction and to label all police officers as bad is wrong. They put their lives on the line for the public safety every day, and go to work not knowing if it will be their last day or not. The least we can do is stay the hell out of their way and let them do their jobs.

Someone is going to die sooner or later. Someone is going to get stupid; all a police officer needs is a perception their life and safety is in danger and they are legally within their authority to dispatch lethal force on an individual. Also, showing up to traffic stops is stupid and unsafe. It is also very distracting to the police officer. Two most dangerous incidents a police officer can answer a call to is a traffic stop and a domestic and so these "cop watchers" want to show up. It is one thing to show up and film at a distance but to show up, invade the police officer's space and to run their mouth with displaying aggression is interfering with a public duty.

Bad cops are few and far between. If you notice, every guy in the news shot by a cop was either committing a crime or had numerous arrests in the past.

There are a few bad shoots but how come the media doesn't say anything about the Gilbert Collars of the world? Or the numerous white people shot or attacked (knockout game) by black individuals.
Don't get me wrong, I am NOT saying that blacks are criminals any more than anybody else. I am saying that this whole race war is being fueled by a biased, inaccurate media.
Police do a necessary job and most do it properly. The hate mongers and media need to go away.

While I do believe there is a problem within many police forces, this is a disaster waiting to happen. Someone is going to get killed and it will be the fault of these “activist” for intentionally creating a volatile situation.
I do believe in police oversight and I think the body-cams are the way to go.