The officer didn't do anything wrong and just because police are sometimes unreasonable or unethical, it doesn't mean this officer was either. The officer has a right to do whatever he wants with his phone as well. He could be recording with it, or he can play music with it, without recourse. It's his right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness that protects him, not the constitution or being an officer.

If someone wants to film him, and then use the power of the Internet to amplify that video to be viewed by many, as is their current right, then they will simply have to do additional work to ensure they are not transmitting the officer's "tunes" to others. Take the time to edit the video provides a means to still publish. Not as easy as clicking submit, but still available as an option, without making a sensationalist claim that music is being "weaponized" by anyone.

People using straw man arguments to "weaponize" language and then place it online where it becomes divisive. That's more of a story than some dude using his phone in a clever way to protect from being video mobbed.

I am aware your comment may be sarcasm, so there's that.

The officer absolutely did something wrong. They intentionally abused copyright to prevent lawful free expression. They should be strung up on First Amendment charges, and the RIAA should come down hard.

If he's on duty he does not have that right.

A 16 year old working at McDonald's does not have the right to ignore the boss and play a gameboy (I was 16 in the 90's).

Banning music outside cop cars, or over the loud speaker, or on mobile devices while on duty does seem like something they definitely could do and would be within the law.

This is the dumbest possible take.

Just gonna go out on a limb and say that a cop wrote it. Seems like the kind of ignorant, entitled bullshit you always here from them.