Orlando CopWatch is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to MONITORING and VIDEOTAPING the activities of local law enforcement–the Orlando Police Department, the Orange County Sheriff's Office and other agencies–and NON-VIOLENTLY asserting the right of citizens to do so. Orlando CopWatch recognizes that police have an unpleasant and dangerous job to do. However, Orlando CopWatch believes that direct citizen OVERSIGHT of law enforcement is necessary to ensure that citizens are protected without having their constitutional rights violated or being subjected to harassment, racial profiling or excessive force. Community activists founded Orlando CopWatch in April of 2007. Orlando CopWatch believes that watching the police is a crucial first step in the process of organizing the community to DEMAND changes in how police act. Orlando CopWatch does NOT attempt to interfere in police activity or to resist police misconduct physically. Please note: All videotapes made by Orlando CopWatch remain the confidential property of Orlando CopWatch, and cannot be released to anyone without the express permission of Orlando CopWatch.

Orlando CopWatch's Goals

Our main goal is to REDUCE police violence by directly observing the police on the street, documenting incidents and keeping police accountable. We maintain principles of NON-VIOLENCE while asserting the rights of the detained person. We provide support to victims whenever possible. We also seek to educate the public about their rights, police conduct in the community and issues related to the role of police in our society.

Our other goal is to EMPOWER and UNITE the community to resist police abuse. We will do this by sharing information with the community, conducting "Know Your Rights" trainings, sponsoring rallies, supporting victims and other community based efforts to deal with the problem. We hope that soon autonomous CopWatch chapters will be established in different Central Florida neighborhoods so that residents in those areas can better police the police. Police abuse is a community problem that only can be solved through the active involvement of the communities affected. We also encourage people to solve problems WITHOUT police intervention. We want to explore alternatives to calling the police. Most importantly, we encourage people to exercise their right to OBSERVE the police and to ADVOCATE for one another. We will NOT be deterred by harassment or attempts at intimidation from local law enforcement officers.

Please note: All decisions about how Orlando CopWatch operates are made by Orlando CopWatch members at our meetings. Anyone is welcome to attend our meetings; however, only active participants in Orlando CopWatch may participate in making group decisions.