Is it Illegal to Record Police Officers on Duty? This is What Pune’s Police Commissioner Said
Is it illegal to shoot videos of police officers while they’re working — whether in a police station or on duty at a public place? This is a question many citizens often wonder about. Now, Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar has given a clear and official clarification on this much-discussed topic.
Recording Police Officers is Not Illegal
Commissioner Amitesh Kumar has stated that police stations are public places, and police officers and staff are public servants. Therefore, while police personnel are on duty — whether in police stations or out on the streets — citizens have every right to video record them. There is no restriction or law preventing anyone from doing so.
In fact, Amitesh Kumar mentioned that instructions have already been given to all police staff that if someone records their video while they are performing their duties, they should not object or behave rudely. He also added that these instructions have been reiterated recently.
Here is what the Pune Police Commissioner said:
पुलिस स्टेशन में वीडियो या ऑडियो रिकॉर्ड कर सकते है।
— Wagholi Against Corruption Organizatio (Team WACO) (@team_waco) April 5, 2025
Video or Audio recording can be done in Police Station.
पोलिस ठाण्यात व्हिडिओ किंवा ऑडिओ रेकॉर्ड करू शकतो. #जनहित_में_जारी#police #policeofficer #PoliceInvestigation #policeman #politics #policestation #PoliceAction #pune pic.twitter.com/lBlmz5HtWm
Important Exception for Women Officers
However, there is one important guideline when it comes to recording women police officers. Their dignity and privacy must be respected. Any recording should not target or harm the personal dignity of women staff. Apart from this, whether an officer is working inside the police station or handling a situation on the road, people are free to record videos without fear of action against them.
No Reason to Obstruct Citizens from Recording
The Pune Police Commissioner was very clear in saying that no police officer or staff member should create hurdles or threaten anyone who is video recording police work in public places. Recording police while on duty is completely legal, provided it does not interfere with their work or violate anyone’s personal privacy.
