[header] How to effectively record the police [title] Know your state, and local, laws about recording the police. [step] Do not just assume that you are in the right. Do your research before you do the recording, or you might find yourself sitting in jail for having broken the law. 
[title] Do not secretly record anyone, as that is illegal in most states. [step] While you don't need a sign saying something like, " hey, i'm video taping here! ", it is a good idea to make it fairly obvious that you are recording.