Posted on Dec 2, 2014
How does the majority feel about body cameras for police officers nationwide?
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I know some areas in the U.S, police departments have already implemented this plan in their daily routines. I wonder if it will in fact improve relations between cops and the communities or will it fail. It's a great idea because the cameras serve for the cops safety and ours as well. There's just a certain way I feel about police policing their own. I feel in many cases that a police officer will back up a fellow police officer no matter what. Maybe a neutral party to monitor these devices? What are your thoughts on this new plan?
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-30290308
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-30290308
Posted in these groups: 
Accountability
Police
Accountability Police
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 55
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MAJ (Join to see)
Agreed, CPT Zachary Brooks. Obviously there won't usually be time to turn a camera on when something happens, because you're too busy responding to the incident. Having them on for the whole shift is the only way they can realistically help.
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CMSgt James Nolan
CPT Zachary Brooks Yes sir, I think that for them to have any effect, they would need to be on. Because, if an incident happens, the last thing I am going to be thinking is "better turn on the camera".
Having been on a department where "witch hunts" were conducted as a matter of practice, where recorders were turned on during IA interviews, then turned off for some verbal abuse to the officers, then turned back on to capture the officers responses....I am perhaps more cynical than most.
I would just hope that they would only be reviewed if there was an incident that would trigger review. The officers do have to have the ability to turn them off (in my opinion). For example-I am on lunch and call my wife: Nobody needs to hear bupkis about that conversation, and if it is always on, they will. That is unreasonable. If the cameras are implemented and mandatory, they need to be properly used and only properly reviewed.
The streets need tough, honest cops to get the job done. The job is already ridiculously dangerous, cops get sued all the time and we as a society expect miracles from them.
It is a tough call. We want to know that we have good guys doing good work. We want to know that they are not violating civil rights. We also have to make sure that the cops get a fair shake and due process.
Having been on a department where "witch hunts" were conducted as a matter of practice, where recorders were turned on during IA interviews, then turned off for some verbal abuse to the officers, then turned back on to capture the officers responses....I am perhaps more cynical than most.
I would just hope that they would only be reviewed if there was an incident that would trigger review. The officers do have to have the ability to turn them off (in my opinion). For example-I am on lunch and call my wife: Nobody needs to hear bupkis about that conversation, and if it is always on, they will. That is unreasonable. If the cameras are implemented and mandatory, they need to be properly used and only properly reviewed.
The streets need tough, honest cops to get the job done. The job is already ridiculously dangerous, cops get sued all the time and we as a society expect miracles from them.
It is a tough call. We want to know that we have good guys doing good work. We want to know that they are not violating civil rights. We also have to make sure that the cops get a fair shake and due process.
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CPT Zachary Brooks
Majority of use-of-force incidents not recorded by Denver cops’ body cams
Study says 26 percent of use-of-force incidents were captured on video.
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SSG Jerrold English
They make sure their cars and guns are working??? Only a dishonest cop will have an excuse for the cam not working. Gun not working, car not working, Cam not working... STAY AT HOME!
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I am 100% in favor of it, I think it will give clarification to difficult to understand situations; provide legal protection to the Law Enforcement Officer when he reacted correctly and legal protection to the citizen when a Law Enforcement Officer did not act correctly to the situation. My city has purchased a body cam for every officer we have.
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SrA (Join to see)
Do you happen to personally know an leo in your city, and if so how do they feel about this implementation?
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SFC (Join to see)
I happen to know the Mayor and the entire city council that voted to approve the purchase, It was requested by the Chief of Police who is a big fan of his men having them. An old work out buddy who is a Motorcycle Cop likes it as well. So does one of the other patrol officers that stops for a chat when ever he sees us outside.
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I don't know why it's such a big deal. They've been using dash cams for years and it has helped people on both sides. I think that it would help to keep bad officers in check and good ones from being accused of wrong doing.
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CPT Zachary Brooks
Help remove the bad and promote the good. That is the best way to (long term) change a culture.
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100% all for it. It's all about accountability. There's good cops and there's bad cops and there's good citizens and there's bad citizens. This takes prejudices out of the equation. If the police officer is doing nothing wrong, then it just reinforces his report.
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Perfect example of it working to stop a good officer from being framed:
http://www.kob.com/article/stories/s3592956.shtml#.VH8otsnSqAI
And supporting evidence against a bad cop:
http://www.dailydot.com/politics/dashcam-video-shows-sean-groubert-shoot-unarmed-citizen/
This is why I think the lapel cams should be mandatory. Make it so the police cannot turn the camera on or off and it runs for the duration of the shift. If the camera is removed (prior to an encounter or something similar) and an issue is brought forth the officer should be presumed to be at fault. If it is removed during a scuffle or something similar there should be enough evidence prior on the camera to tell what is going on.
I wonder if it would be possible to use the WiFi spots or possible cell coverage (if this is becoming a federal mandate as is) to keep the data flowing constantly and allow these videos to be available even if the camera is destroyed.
http://www.kob.com/article/stories/s3592956.shtml#.VH8otsnSqAI
And supporting evidence against a bad cop:
http://www.dailydot.com/politics/dashcam-video-shows-sean-groubert-shoot-unarmed-citizen/
This is why I think the lapel cams should be mandatory. Make it so the police cannot turn the camera on or off and it runs for the duration of the shift. If the camera is removed (prior to an encounter or something similar) and an issue is brought forth the officer should be presumed to be at fault. If it is removed during a scuffle or something similar there should be enough evidence prior on the camera to tell what is going on.
I wonder if it would be possible to use the WiFi spots or possible cell coverage (if this is becoming a federal mandate as is) to keep the data flowing constantly and allow these videos to be available even if the camera is destroyed.
Lapel cam captures woman trying to frame APD officer for sexually assaulting her
Arrested for drunk driving, an Albuquerque woman tried to flip the script on an Albuquerque Police officer, accusing him of sexual assault. Cops say 23-year-old Deanna Griego padded her bra with something extra as she was placed under arrest for DWI earlier this month.
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I’m not anti-cop, but I am for strict oversight for all institutions of authority. I’m not for big brother looking over my shoulder, but while in uniform they’re no longer private citizens. I’ve read in some locations where these are used that public complaints about police have dropped dramatically. This could be due to cops now being on their best behavior, or citizens not filing false complaints due to video evidence to the contrary. Likely a combination of both. I can only see this as a good thing that protects both good cops and the public.
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Dash cam have been in use for years. We're so consume with putting a band aid on symptoms instead of the focusing on root of the problem. I firmly believe that education & maybe a workload are the key to success of the unnecessary killings of many police officers.
Spend the money more on educating the police department & even the community because a camera only does what it has been doing for years...record the incident. It doesn't change the mindset of the individual. Research have shown this on many occasions. A recorded event can also be altered.
What we must realize is that not all police officers are bad & we have good & bad in all races.
Spend the money more on educating the police department & even the community because a camera only does what it has been doing for years...record the incident. It doesn't change the mindset of the individual. Research have shown this on many occasions. A recorded event can also be altered.
What we must realize is that not all police officers are bad & we have good & bad in all races.
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SrA (Join to see)
Agreed. There was a post where I tried to elaborate on the root of these issues. Safe to say I didn't get much feedback on those proposed ideals, instead as if I brought up a ridiculous idea. Ignorance is widespread and again, it is up to us to seek resolve and unison for all of us. We are all equally important. I do believe that the body camera is effective and there's been a few studies on certain departments proving that excessive use of force decreased and complaints went down too. It may not be the optimal solution we need but at the very least I can say it's a small and good step forward in my eyes.
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SFC (Join to see)
I agree that there are good in bad in all sectors of our world, Race, Gender, Ocupation, Age, Body Fat %...it doesnt matter, none of it. every single group and gathering of people will have its good and bad, that is why we should judge others on their merrits not just because "she is blonde" or "he is a big scarry black man" or "that person has tattoos" or "is that bulge a gun?".
One of the funniest stories my wife (a little white woman) tells is one of when she worked in retail, one of our good friends (one of the biggest and darkest men I have ever seen) was shopping while she was on shift, he of course walked up to her gave her a big bear hug lifting her off the ground and spinning circles. She said the look on the faces of little old bitties that were shopping was just priceless, you could tell in an instant which ones were judgemental and which ones were not.
One of the funniest stories my wife (a little white woman) tells is one of when she worked in retail, one of our good friends (one of the biggest and darkest men I have ever seen) was shopping while she was on shift, he of course walked up to her gave her a big bear hug lifting her off the ground and spinning circles. She said the look on the faces of little old bitties that were shopping was just priceless, you could tell in an instant which ones were judgemental and which ones were not.
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CPT Zachary Brooks
Teaching is a great way to fix it, and I am assuming they are already doing it. But does it really fix anything? How effect is the SHARP program for example? Many of us already know that sexual assault is wrong, but will the program really change many minds?
The body cams will at least have proof to protect the good officers and hopefully remove the bad officers from duty more effectively and without pay. The issue is not ingrained with the police force (my opinion) but with specific individuals. Stop giving a badge to this individuals and the problems will mostly disappear.
The body cams will at least have proof to protect the good officers and hopefully remove the bad officers from duty more effectively and without pay. The issue is not ingrained with the police force (my opinion) but with specific individuals. Stop giving a badge to this individuals and the problems will mostly disappear.
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SGT(P) Gloria Francis
CPT, I agree with you to a point. In society, we fear what we do not know. Educating the police department & the community fosters you to mend a bridge....work together. One thing about SHARP is that after you've been educated on sexual harassment you are responsible for the knowledge because there are consequences.
I am not saying that the cameras aren't a good idea but come on...every street lights have cameras. We are able to use google map to find activities all over. Billions of dollars were spent for a satellite in space to track anything anytime anywhere. If a crime happened why couldn't we use the coordinates? We use it to spy. We should be able to use it to solve crimes too.
If citizens understand the stress of policing & the officers understand the fear of the citizens they can build a bridge. Citizens & officers have lost trust. Where there's no trust there's no peace.
I am not saying that the cameras aren't a good idea but come on...every street lights have cameras. We are able to use google map to find activities all over. Billions of dollars were spent for a satellite in space to track anything anytime anywhere. If a crime happened why couldn't we use the coordinates? We use it to spy. We should be able to use it to solve crimes too.
If citizens understand the stress of policing & the officers understand the fear of the citizens they can build a bridge. Citizens & officers have lost trust. Where there's no trust there's no peace.
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In counties they have implemented it has startling results. People mind their Ps and Qs.....and wait for it,....there is less excessive use of force. So are you surprised. Kids always mind themselves when being watched. I think it's a good thing. It protects our officer that have to implement deadly force. In a riot situation, it may be quite different, you may not know where the fists are coming from. And guess what? Military members on the front line are probably next....what would you say to that? Yes or No?
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SrA (Join to see)
I as well feel the same as you do and this can only do good for both sides. I feel the front lines are a whole different playing field and it'll take some time to implement this within combat environments. I don't see a reason to oppose it so I'm in favor for it in the military as well. What about your thoughts on this?
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
I think situations like Blackwater yelling, "Its like a turkey shoot", could have been avoided.
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SrA (Join to see)
I was just thinking of them too. In those cases it would definitely maintain order.
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During my brief time as a law enforcement officer I welcomed it. It did keep officers in check. There has to be a check and balances put in place. I never had an issue with wearing a mic while I was on duty. It would really impact a department. I have been called into question a couple of time only to be exonerated by the camera and audio from my cars camera. Got to keep the honest honest.
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With how technology has been growing I'am surprised these were not given to all officer sooner. These are great to protect a police officer and the public. what is funny is i heard that there are people that think this is invasion of privacy. You really cant with with some people. I am willing to bet that if Officer Darren Wilson had been wearing this a lot of what is going on would not be happening. and im not saying he is innocent or guilty im just saying that had he been wearing a body camera. This whole thing could of been taken care of a lot quicker and more then likely with out alot of the violence.
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