Over the Line: ABC57 investigates the right to record police officers

The right to observe and record police is at the center of a new federal lawsuit.

A video that was shot and streamed online back in July by Youtuber and self-proclaimed citizen journalist Don Nicodemus prompted the lawsuit after Nicodemus said, “he was threatened with arrest,” for violating the new “25-foot law.”

The ACLU is challenging the law’s constitutionality.

Republican Senator Linda Rodgers who sponsored Indiana House Bill 1186 believes the law provides protection for both the public and first responders.

St. Joseph County prosecutor Ken Cotter understands the concern but said that 25 feet is close enough to record and observe police.

South Bend Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski believes his department has enough safeguards in place to ensure transparency.

A judge in federal court will ultimately make the decision on the law's constitutionality.