I’m finding it really odd that the kid installed this camera and started the recording to set up the cop, and then told him he was being recorded. What kind of lame set up is that?
This is NOT the first time he (Brett) has recorded a police/traffic stop:
More CYA than a set-up per se. Depending on State law, you can get in trouble for recording conversations without the other person's knowledge. One-party consent states are the exception. The cop in this case, once he saw the camera, could have walked away at any time.
If he didn't tell the cop he was being recorded, then the evidence could be thrown out of Court. However, the camera was in plain view and not hidden. He also took it one step further and turned his evidence over to the media, to be judged in the court of public opinion. Now, that was smart. Embarassment sometimes works better than suing.
Here's more information on legally taping conversations.
http://www.rcfp.org/taping