Police don't want you to record them with your phone. Can they legally stop you? Short answer is no. They cannot legally stop you. And you should never put your phone away. When a police officer demands that you stop recording, you say politely, "I'm sorry, officer. I'm entitled to record this interaction as long as I can do so safely, and I'm going to do so safely." What police may end up doing is putting you in a physical detention and handcuffing you so that you can't hold your phone. And if that happens, comply with the police officer, no matter what he says. We'll get a copy of his body cam. If he did that illegally or he violated your civil rights, remember Dr.