Police are watching, videotaping protesters

During protest events at the Democratic National Convention this week a number of police have been spotted videotaping participants, often refusing to identify themselves.

At an anti-war march on Sunday that drew approximately 1,000 people, there were numerous police recording the peaceful protests.

This Denver police officer refused to give his business card to the The Colorado Independent upon request and hid his identifying badge inside is uniform. The last name 'Duran' could be read on this shirt. (Photo/Erin Rosa)

This Denver police officer refused to give his business card to the The Colorado Independent upon request and hid his identifying badge inside is uniform. The last name “Duran” could be read on this shirt. (Photo/Erin Rosa)

Here is the Denver Police Department policy regarding identification:

RR-129 Giving Name and Badge Number

Upon request from any person, officers shall provide their names, badge numbers and unit assignments, either in writing or by presenting a business card, unless such action is likely to jeopardize the successful completion of a police assignment. Business cards are required to be provided, without being asked, to any person an officer has detained in a traffic stop if that person is not cited or arrested.

At first, this man said he wasn't with the police, but when a legal observer asked why he was wearing a lanyard with a badge identifying him as a Denver police officer the man just shrugged. When asked for his business card, the man said he didn't have any to give out. (Photo/Erin Rosa)

When asked about the policy and why Denver police were videotaping peaceful activities, law enforcement officials released a statement to The Colorado Independent saying, “There are many entities videotaping the events associated with the Democratic National Convention. We do not discuss the means and methods of how security is carried out.”

Another police officer videotaping protesters at Larimer Street and Speer Boulevard along the city-designated parade route. This time the man's badge was clearly identifiable. (Photo/Erin Rosa)