There’s several sections that could apply but the likely section here is at the end. (p8 of link)

(emphasis mine)

VIDEO TAPING – News media members may photograph or videotape police officers performing their official duties. Officers will not physically block or cover the lenses of cameras or video taping equipment. Members in accordance with General Order 204.1 will not assist nor hinder camerapersons at scenes. Members will not bring the media into private residences as part of a crime scene or police raid. COURTS HAVE RULED THAT MEMBERS MAY BE HELD LIABLE TO CIVIL SUIT FOR SUCH ACTIONS.

There’s several sections talking about the release of information to the press, and when that’s appropriate, however even then the only people who are spelled out to be shielded are victims (p4 of the above linked document). So if they stop someone who struck a pedestrian Wayan would be free to photograph anyone, including the victim, however the police guidelines may prevent them from telling Wayan any information they gather about the victim.

You’re right. Had the cop said “Look, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t take photos while we’re pulling people over… we’re not trying to publically embarass anyone here,”

I would have laughed, accepted his point, and skipped out on taking the photo of him pulling someone over. I didn’t care about the driver – its the action of pulling over a speeder that I wanted to celebrate.

Wait, lets make that really clear I wanted to celebrate the traffic cops work.

My goal was to have a big splashy photo of DC MPD pulling over a car so I could write a “Take That Petworth Lead Foot Drivers!”

While that might not have excited Xian, it does excite those of us who dodge 45+ mph drag racers. But instead, I get an arrogant MPD response, tarnishing my impression of my city’s police.

I assume you mean “photographing a police action legal” not illegal.

At that point, Wayan could accept that explanation and agree not to take photos, he could position himself to capture the cops (which appears to be more or less the end result here), but not the motorist, or he could reject the request entirely and take his photos anyway (which comes back to the “within your rights, but still kind of a dick move” debate we had earlier this summer).

But it doesn’t do anyone’s civil liberties any good when the man with the gun and the power to arrest you tells you that you can’t do something that is a constitutionally-protected right.

I think the cop didn’t want to humiliate the speeders, just ticket ‘em. Doesn’t sound so bad to me.

But then what would I know about these things.

Chip Py
Silver Spring MD