Head Cameras

[cabinetman]

Head cameras for police. This is telling it like it is, or better yet, as it's seen.
Video has a short upfront commercial.
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?...ted;photovideo
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[cgallery]

This thread does not deliver on the title.

On a more serious note, while I like the idea behind the cameras, I question whether wiring an entire city with cameras is a good idea.

I would imagine these gadgets have GPS. I would imagine they'll develop a database that will allow them to enter a date, time, and GPS coordinates that will tell them if they have any video available.

Not sure what I'm worried about there, but it does sound kinda big-brotherish.

[herb fellows]

Of course, they showed a few officers that like it. I seriously wonder how many would object to it, and for what reasons. I can think of a few legitimate reasons, and a passel of not so legitimate ones.

[cabinetman]

Of course, they showed a few officers that like it. I seriously wonder how many would object to it, and for what reasons. I can think of a few legitimate reasons, and a passel of not so legitimate ones.

It will definitely level the playing field of who is telling the truth.
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[os1kne]

There was a lot of thought that went into that - having the unit upload the encrypted video to the manufacturer for storage was a very smart idea. No potential for the local PD to misplace, erase, etc. the video (accidentally or otherwise).

Appears to be a compact unit also. That said, I don't think that I'd want an audio/video log of everything that I do each day (can they pause it for bathroom breaks?). I have 2 brother-in-laws that are police officers, I'm curious to hear their take.

[LCHIEN]

yeah how would you like it if EVERYTHING you did at work was recorded?

Issues:
1. can't tell dirty jokes, personal discussions with your partner
2. will see a lot of donuts consumed
3. well-heeled defendants lawyers will subpoena all video you ever took to try and show a pattern of discrimination/behavior problems whatever. and try to make you look bad. or were less than perfect.
4. reduces likelihood of other witnesses coming forward (good or bad)


OTOH
1. reduces the he said she said issues.
2. provides valuable evidence in the case of the officer being incapacitated or killed intheline of duty
3. provides valuable evidence, period, with good line of custody... will clean up questionable prosecutions for sure.
4. i think the jurors will sure like it. and te prosecutors will like it.
5 will improve police behavior since they know everyone is watching.

[Uncle Cracker]

For a street cop, informants are very useful. This thing will shut them up completely.