If I record people doing illegal activities and I become a police officer, could I arrest them or do something?

[arne33]

I've recorded many people selling drugs and doing other illegal activities near my disposition, could I do something legal about this evidence? I live in the commonwealth PA - I know about those "report suspicious activity hotlines, but they don't really do crap. If possible links to PA laws etc.

[modraed]

You can give the tapes to the police and tell them where you filmed the people. You can also help identify them.

Hot lines work, they are just usually over-run by dead ends or prank calls. If you actually go to the police station, someone will check it out for you.

[fiacre68]

If you become a police officer and you then witness illegal activity, you can arrest the perpetrators.
Your current recordings are probably not admissible as legal evidence.
If you become a police officer you will learn what evidence can be used in court and what can't, what actions you are allowed to take when arresting a person, and when you can and can't arrest someone.

[flannagain]

If you become a police officer and you then witness illegal activity, you can arrest the perpetrators.
Your current recordings are probably not admissible as legal evidence.
If you become a police officer you will learn what evidence can be used in court and what can't, what actions you are allowed to take when arresting a person, and when you can and can't arrest someone.

In short no. As a rookie cop you aren't going to be let out on the street to make a bunch of arrests based on recordings you made before you became a cop. In fact, asking this question during the interview process would probably get you not hired because they would think you are a nut.

[voliny13]

call the cops, and give them the tapes.