What's the possibility of all police wearing head cams?

[sub.theory]

This isn't by any means a new idea, but what is the possibility of requiring all on duty officers to wearing head cam recorders? Is this technically feasible? It seems that cameras are now small enough that they wouldn't impair the ability of police to perform their duties and solid state storage is getting continually cheaper so that storage may no longer be an issue. Would probably need to record at least 12 hours of continuous video and audio. Could such devices be tamper proof or resistant? If the NSA can record all electronic communications it should be possible to archive all if this recorded info, right? What is the possibility of this happening? It sould greatly reduce or eliminate the sort of ambiguous situations such as the one with Michael Brown. Might also help to reduce corruption.

[agbdf]

1. It would be a good idea but most of the resistance to this policy comes from the police.

[sub.theory]

3. Maybe we need to push for it

If it really is feasible, maybe we need to start insisting on its implementation and requiring its use by law.

I don't see why law enforcement should be opposed. The records would help to convict criminals and to exonerate officers if they had just cause to use their weapon. It seems like the only people who would lose are criminals and corrupt cops.

[G_j]

5. people have been pushing for something like this

and it makes simple common sense, but no way in hell does law enforcement want it. I don't see it happening any time very soon. But we should keep demanding it.

[sub.theory]

6. It's a battle worth fighting

It may turn out to be a real battle with law enforcement, which is very sad, but I think it is something that we need to push for having. I understand people not wanting to have someone constantly looking over their shoulder, but law enforcement is an exceptional profession granted exceptional powers. I keep thinking how this entire incident with Michael Brown wouldn't be happening if something like this existed.

[gvstn]

13. Very true.

People get used to anything including the police. I'm sure plenty of retail workers didn't like cameras all over stores, in backrooms etc. I'm sure a lot of people in UK hate CCTV being so pervasive. I don't like the fact that new cars record speed, braking etc. on a non-owner accessible computer device that the owner pays for but police and insurance companies can access the data for their own purposes.

If body cameras become mandatory the technology will improve and they will get even smaller and less intrusive. The police officer can still turn it off for privacy when using the bathroom etc. so there are not unusable from a privacy standpoint.

[sub.theory]

17. Good points

I guess I hadn't considered the problem of needing to use the bathroom. I think officers shouldn't have the ability to turn off the cameras, because it's too easy to abuse. But you are right that there are some privacy issues involved.

[Warren Stupidity]

2. That would screw up the good thing they have going.

So it ain't gonna happen, at least not until a lot more people in a lot more cities are out in the street demanding change.

[PoliticAverse]

4. Some departments already require officers to wear (body) cameras...

For example, see: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/04/california-police-body-cameras-cuts-violence-complaints-rialto

[sub.theory]

8. Thanks for that link

This is great, and gives quite a bit of evidence that such cameras would improve things for everyone. Less complaints against police and more effective law enforcement.

[Action_Patrol]

7. 100%

There's no reason to not have 100% compliance across the country. It would be a good start.

[SomethingFishy]

9. Wouldn't help... they just turn off the Dash cams if they think

something might happen. It would be the same for body cams. Then they just cry technical difficulties..

[elias49]

10. It would be great if there were surplus cameras like there are surplus grenade launchers

and the Feds sent grant money so PDs could buy a bunch.

Dreamer. Nothing but a dreamer...

[elehhhhna]

11. rguson HAS the cameras

haven't deployed them yet. busy polishing their body armour, I guess

[Lee-Lee]

12. It's coming, but the tech isn't quite ready for widespread use yet

Namely batteries, as of yet they don't have one that is sized small enough to be worn without problem that can have an internal battery capacity to last a typical 8 or 12 hour shift.

You will need- 12 hour capacity minimum, both memory and battery. A rugged design with the battery internal, not hooked via a cord (a cord is a huge liability on a fight, and likely to get ripped out right when the video documentation is needed most), strong enough to survive a fight and able to be mounted/carried in a way that will not easily be ripped away, but at the same time doesn't give a opponent in a fight something to get a grip on, and be unobtrusive enough it doesn't interfere with normal activities like getting in and out of a car/seat belt.

That said, when dashcams first came about and people were not widely aware of them the results were not what most here would expect- they resulted in officers being exonerated in claims of misconduct around 90% of the time or better, and about half the people lodging complaints withdrew the compliant as soon as they became aware that the incident had been recorded, before ever seeing the tape.

Cameras cleared me on 3 bogus complaints, and helped get lots of convictions that may have been more questionable on arrests I was involved in.

I expect the same when body cams come in.

[sub.theory]

15. Great Info

This is great info. Thanks. I agree that these cams could be a real asset to police too. As you said, they will help to exonerate officers of false charges. There are plenty of criminals that attempt to retaliate by claiming abuse falsely. This will help to sort the legitamte from the phony.

I think the technical problems could still be significant just as you mentioned. I hadn't considered batteries, but that's an excellent point. I don't think any of these issues are insurmountable, however. I'm glad to hear that you think widespread adoption is coming. It will be good for society.

[Lee-Lee]

18. I would have loved for body cams to be available when I worked

Especially when I was working domestic violence almost exclusively.

I did use a digital voice recorder sometimes, without it visible, because it provided very valuable evidence. It eliminated any doubt about what was said, by whom and when and also showed the suspects tone and demeanor, those who get very violent and belligerent when with their spouse or an officer will play like an angel in court or in front of a magistrate- the voice recordings showed their true colors.

Video would have been even better.

4 years ago nobody every heard of a Go-Pro, now we see amazing footage. In 4-5 years the tech will probably be there.

[951-Riverside]

14. Accountability.

Body worn cameras won't magically make police abuse go away but hey it'll make the taser corp much richer and the public less likely to interact with a police officer.

And when they get ready to blow your brains out they'll either position the camera away or not turn it on all together like Officer Jeremy Dear did after shooting Mary Hawkes.

If they can get away with beating and suffocating Kelly Thomas to death do you SERIOUSLY think a body camera will make a bit of difference?

[sub.theory]

16. It's not a perfect solution for sure

I agree that it's not a perfect solution. I do think that officers should not have the ability to turn off the cameras or audio recording themselves. As you said, it's too easy to defeat the purpose of the cameras otherwise. I think they should be something like a black box.

Still, it's not perfect, but I do think it would help.

[ncjustice80]

19. Better and cheaper solution

The cops will just conveniently turn off or lose the camera when they do something wrong. Instead, they should make it a national law prohibiting local police from wearing body armor or carrying semiautomatic or automatic firearms. If patrol officers didnt have guns, helmets, and body armor meant for soldiers, they would lack both the "bravery" and the capacity to murder and beat people of color like they do now. Instead, when they took unjust action, they would recieve a sound whoopin' by then community and sent on their way. There is no reason a police armor needs body armor or anything more than a wheelgun!