WATCH: Did This South Idaho Man’s Cellphone Get Him Arrested?

For the second time in just a couple of months, footage showing a heated exchange between a civilian and an Idaho police officer has been released online. In both cases, cell phone cameras were rolling long before any discussion began regarding any laws being broken.

I've never recorded a police officer in my entire life, and like most people, I've been approached by them over matters involving the action of others as well as my own. When I cross paths with an officer of the law, I try to not provoke them in any way.

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I honestly have a problem with people who shove their cell phones in a cop's face when all that's happening is a conversation. I understand cell phone footage has been vital in cases such as George Floyd, but if an officer is simply informing you that you are acting in a way that could be breaking the law, then why is recording them necessary?

A few weeks ago I wrote a story about a man who approached a Twin Falls officer of the law in an agitated manner and, in my opinion, provoked a heated situation that could have probably been avoided.  If a cop is writing you a ticket, it doesn't give you the right to record them. I took the side of the officer in this case because I found the civilian to be way out of line.

Footage of an altercation between a Boise officer and a civilian in a parking garage was released publically a couple of weeks ago. A parking attendant told the civilian he needed to leave, and shortly after the officer intervened. Then, the civilian felt the need to stick his phone in the cop's face. The man recording wound up getting arrested.

Do you believe it's okay to start recording a police officer for simply approaching you? Do you believe this is a form of provoking?