On April 5 2014 a short 48 second video put York Regional Police under a microscope when Constable Konstantin Orshansky was shown allegedly trampling Charter rights during a public interaction. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects expression and freedom from unreasonable search and seizure. Filming police in public is generally legal so long as you are not physically blocking an officer from doing lawful work. That simple fact has saved more than one citizen from the sort of forgettable excuses you hear at police briefings.

What the clip shows and why it matters

The clip is brief but it matters because even tiny moments can reveal patterns of misconduct. Public recordings serve as evidence that supports civil liberties and police accountability. A badge does not rewrite the Canadian Charter and a short video can be the difference between a forgotten incident and public oversight.

Steps to preserve evidence and protect your rights

If you believe a Charter right has been breached follow a clear, boring list of sensible actions. They help preserve evidence and make enforcement possible without turning into a viral meltdown.

Stay safe and stay calm

Do not get in the officer's path. A calm voice and nonthreatening posture reduce escalation and increase the odds that bystanders will stick around to corroborate what they saw. Physical confrontation is a terrible strategy for every party involved.

Preserve the recording

Save copies immediately to a separate device or to secure cloud storage. Phones crash, apps glitch and phones get mysteriously confiscated. Two independent copies reduce the chance that key footage disappears from the face of the internet and public memory.

Note details and witnesses

• Write down time and location as soon as you can.
• Record badge numbers and patrol car identifiers if visible.
• Get witness names and contact info and ask if they will confirm what they saw.
• Photograph the scene to anchor your memory to a physical reference.

File a formal complaint with York Regional Police

Send your complaint to Professional Standards and consider copying civilian oversight bodies. An official complaint creates a paper trail that cannot be ignored by convenient forgetfulness. Include unedited footage and a clear statement of what you say happened.

Consider legal counsel

A lawyer who handles Charter remedies and civil claims can explain timelines disclosure and next steps without the noise of social media hot takes. Legal advice helps separate legitimate claims from wishful thinking and outlines realistic remedies.

Sharing responsibly helps oversight

Posting footage can spur public oversight but use common sense. Upload unedited video when possible and include a short factual caption. Sensational headlines get clicks but they also attract misinformation. If your goal is accountability clarity will serve you better than dramatics.

Quick tips while recording

• Keep distance to avoid obstruction while keeping the camera steady.
• Speak to the camera if safe. A verbal timestamp helps context later.
• Turn off any auto delete or cloud sync that might remove evidence from your device.

Final note on civil liberties and public oversight

The short clip involving Konstantin Orshansky is a teaching moment for civil liberties. Public recordings are a practical tool for police accountability and evidence preservation. If the rules of the Canadian Charter appear to be breached follow the steps above and let the system sort it out. Be brave enough to record and wise enough to preserve the facts rather than the drama.