It's probably against policy to listen to music while on the beat and definitely when interacting with the public.
If you watch the video (which is available in the previous article and all over social media, contrary to the narrative) it’s clear that the person is trying to get a rise out of the police officers by following them around and badgering them for content on his social media channels. He even went so far as to watermark the video with his social media handles. It’s clear that the officers are tired of dealing with him and being followed around while trying to do their jobs.
"I am filming you, a public official, doing something bad in your official capacity."
"You are now under arrest for stalking."
I don’t condone the police behavior, but it’s clear that the person recording is not a hero or even blameless. He’s running a business that profits from anti-police sentiment and promoting it with these videos.
If you antagonize and film a police officer while they are off-duty, that is inappropriate; potentially stalking and harassment. Same in the other direction. The courts have thus far determined there are specific rights to filming police while engaged in their duties; not just for press, but for citizens in general.
Filming: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glik_v._Cunniffe
Antagonizing: https://www.wired.com/2013/01/flipping-off-cop-case/
If they feel the least bit threatened, they can simply arrest someone who is “stalking” them.
That they are resorting to clever tactics like playing copyrighted music, shows that legally speaking they can’t do anything else.
HIPAA, and you don't. (I'm sure the claim works on people, though.)
https://www.ems1.com/ems-products/cameras-video/articles/pho...
> Your basic HIPAA obligation when it comes to the press is very simple. Don't divulge any patient medical information to a journalist. Don’t discuss patient specifics within hearing or recording distance, at least not in great detail. Don’t write notes where they can be read. If you have a clipboard with medical information, turn it over so it can’t be seen in a photograph.
> Your HIPAA obligation does not, however, require you to stop me or others from taking images at the scene.
Can you keep them at a somewhat reasonable distance? Yes. Out of the scene entirely? Generally no, barring a hazmat incident or something where you'd need to be getting out too.