Can I film the police?
Filming the police on duty in a public place is allowed — no law forbids it. But putting the footage online is more delicate. You may film a police intervention in a public place (for example as evidence), as long as you don't obstruct the operation, endanger no one and respect a police cordon. Unlike filming itself, distributing identifiable footage clashes with privacy and the GDPR: even an officer on duty keeps image rights. If you publish, it is advised to blur faces, especially if the aim is to target an individual officer; publishing to expose misconduct (e.g. excessive force) weighs more in your favour. The police may never force you to delete the footage; they may seize your device to secure evidence, but only proportionately (e.g. a warning first). Misuse (false accusations, defamation) can lead to insulting an officer or a privacy complaint.
📋 The rules
- Filming the police in public during their operation is allowed — no legal ban
- You may not obstruct the operation, endanger anyone or breach a cordon (resisting, art. 271)
- Distributing identifiable footage clashes with privacy/GDPR: an officer on duty keeps image rights
- Blurring is advised; publishing to expose misconduct weighs in your favour, targeting a person does not
- The police may never force you to delete; a seizure to secure evidence must be proportionate
- Misuse (false accusations): insulting an officer (art. 276) or slander and libel, plus a privacy complaint
🔓 Exceptions
- In a ruling of 9 October 2025, the Ghent court convicted 'citizen journalists' of insult and unlawful GDPR processing after posting edited footage with false accusations
- Police cameras and bodycams fall under a separate law (Camera Act 2007), independent of filming by a citizen
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Filming itself is not punishable. But misusing footage can be costly: insulting the police (art. 276) is punished with 8 days to 1 month and a fine of €26 to €200, plus possible slander and libel. Unlawfully processing identifiable footage can bring a fine from the Data Protection Authority and damages. In the Ghent case of October 2025, this included 50 hours of community service and €3,250 in damages. The police may never force you to delete the footage, and any seizure must be proportionate.
📎 Official sources
- ejustice · Criminal Code (art. 269-272 resisting, 275-276 insulting an officer) →
- Data Protection Authority · processing of images →
- Supervisory Body for Police Information · opinions →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I film the police?
Yes, you can film a police intervention in a public place. No law forbids it. You may not, however, obstruct the intervention or breach a cordon.
Can I put that footage online?
Filming is allowed, but distributing identifiable footage clashes with privacy and the GDPR. Preferably blur faces, especially if you would target an individual officer; publishing to expose a real abuse weighs more in your favour.
Can the police seize my phone or make me delete?
The police may never force you to delete the footage yourself. They may seize your device to secure evidence, but only proportionately (e.g. a warning first). The officer can also file a complaint in case of misuse.
What do I risk if I misuse the footage?
Insulting the police (art. 276) and slander and libel, plus a fine from the Data Protection Authority and damages. In a Ghent case in 2025 this led to a community-service order and €3,250 in damages.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “film the police allowed”
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- “film police privacy gdpr”