imported post
It all depends on the circumstances. Almost all the time I start out with the recorder in my shirt pocket or on a lanyard around my neck, because that's how it is carried. I've practiced enough to hit the "record" button using a seemingly innocent pass of the hand (hand to mouth to cover cough or stroking of chin).
There are times when I pull the recorder out to make it plainly clear that the event is being recorded. So far the occassions when I've done that have been very public and involved repeating a question so as to require the other person(s) to either give an answer they would rather not give, or to document that they refuse to respond. Some may recall the conversation with the Capitol Police sergeant regarding the question of whether open carry with a CHP was allowed in the General Assembly Building. The point was to get him to eitherproduce the official written policy that backed up his claim and allow it to be reviewed, or to cause him to question his interpretation of what the official policy was. Holding the recorder out in plain sight and repeatedly asking him "Is that your personal opinion or is there a written policy or rule we can look at?" caused him to decide 1) that he was not sure what the official policy/rule was, and 2) to retreat up the chain of command for someone with a higher rank to take the heat in case his position was not in fact correct.
While I'm not going to suggest one way as being better than another, I will add this recommendation if you are using a recorder: ask questions about what is happening and what the other party/ies are doing, and repeat those questions. (Not just "Am I being detained?" and"Why am I being detained?" but questions like "Do you think it is safe to try to remove my handgun from the holster that way?" and "Why are looking inside my car when I refused to allow you to search it?") Also, if your recorder is "discovered" and an attempt is made to take it away from you, discuss that fact so it is recorded. Repeatedly state what is happening ("Officer X is trying to take my recorder out of my shirt pocket.", that you are not breaking any law by recording, and that the attempt to remove the recorder is tampering with evidence ("Officer X is trying to destroy evidence of this event by taking away my recorder.")
My experience is that in most situations nothing will be said about a recorder that is not brought out into the open, and that bringing a recorder out in the open will increase the level of dislike shown to you by the party being recorded, but will also cause them to be more careful about what they assert as absolute fact.
stay safe.
skidmark
