Filming too close to a police officer could become a criminal offense in Arizona under one proposed piece of legislation for this upcoming session. 

The bill would prohibit video recording any law enforcement activity from less than 20 feet away, unless the officer gives permission.

Retired officer and Republican state Sen. John Kavanagh is sponsoring the legislation.

He said the increased use of cellphone cameras has created, at times, a difficult situation for law enforcement. Establishing a buffer zone would take care of that, he said.

“When you are arresting somebody and all of a sudden there’s somebody right on your back, you worry that this person might be a friend of the person you’re arresting," Kavanagh said. "It distracts you, and that’s dangerous and it’s not necessary to get that close."

Under the bill, a violation could lead to a fine of several hundred dollars and subsequently a misdemeanor.

But Dan Pochoda of the American Civil Liberties Union questioned the need for this new rule.

“Obviously, if in any one particular situation someone is interfering with the activities of police, they can be ordered to stop and arrested if they don't — if they are, in fact, interfering. But there's nothing magic about 20 feet,” Pochoda said.