Yes, I'm aware that it protects the subject of the investigation -- they can still record when the officer moves closer than 8', but it does not protect bystand

Yes, I'm aware that it protects the subject of the investigation -- they can still record when the officer moves closer than 8', but it does not protect bystanders. This is a clear, and obviously intentional, loophole that allows police to criminalize something they don't like. If this was actually about the safety of officers, there would be no need to mention recording -- they would simply limit all bystanders from being within 8' of such activity whether they're recording or not. Since it is about recording, we know it is just about recording, and not actual officer safety.