A Manhattan federal lawsuit says people should have the right under the First Amendment to record police working in public places.

The suit cites arrests of people who photographed or videotaped police confrontations. It was filed Tuesday on behalf of a person who was arrested.

It seeks a permanent injunction barring New York City employees from retaliating against those who record them in public.

The city Law Department tells The New York Times it hasn’t seen the lawsuit. But it says the NYPD’s policy clearly states people can record officers as long as they’re not interfering with their duties.

But the lawsuit asserts there is a widespread practice of police instructing people they’re not permitted to record them and arresting those that do.

(AP)