I have been shooting accident and fire scenes lately and have never been asked for a permit or about what I was doing. Advantage of rural living I guess.

Once I was approached by a state trooper and thought I was sunk, but then he just wanted to ask whether he'd be in the footage. He was worried because he wasn't wearing his hat and apparently the State Police SOP is that state troopers should always wear their hats when outside their car. He was worried about catching flack from his superiors!

man, does that bring back memories of my time in TV news in PA. Several times interviewing troopers they had to make sure they had their hats on etc. I don't have the outtake, it's on film, probably lost somewhere now, but XCU of a trooper being interviewed, in the background a blimp flies into one ear, he tilts his head, and it flies out the other. If he hadn't tilted his head the illusion wouldn't have worked.

back OT, for news permits usually aren't needed. Your press creds are your permit. ;-)

In London and the UK, the Press Card is provided by the NUJ and BECTU and is recognised by all the UK police forces. However, this only applies to newsgathering.