A look at uniforms cams for Police

[grumpyMSG]

With all the recent discussion on here about Ferguson and bodycams, here is a story that would show some value to their use: http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=8c0_1410 ... comments=1
If you watch the KPIX TV video first, I got the feeling they were thinking it was racially motivated and stoking the fires a little bit. After I watched the actual bodycam footage from the officer, I think his actions were probably close to any police department's guidelines. I am all for police not trusting people initially when answering a possible break in call.

[TScottW99]

I have been wearing one for three years now. It's my best partner in the field.


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[MarcSpaz]

hahahaha... that firefighter should be let go. He is completely full of crap and in my opinion, is NOT a trustworthy person and should not be in a public trust position. There is a big difference between misinterpreting a situation and flat-out lying about things that happened, were said or not said.

That officer did a great job. I'm glad the camera is exonerating him. I use the word exonerating because you know in the court of public opinion... he was already guilty. I wish that all officers wore cameras.

I heard some stats that in some departments, reports of excessive force dropped something like 80% once these departments started using body cameras. In many of the articles I've read, it says its because its keeping the LEO in check, but I believe its the other way around. I think suspects are not able to get away with lying to get sympathy and a "get out of jail free" card.

[Mindflayer]

I have been wearing one for three years now. It's my best partner in the field.

I wish that more LEO shared your view.

[SHMIV]

I suspect that an 80% drop in excessive force complaints probably has to do with keeping both officers AND suspects honest.

Suspects will lie, suspects will vilify the arresting officer. A guilty suspect will spin all manner of yarn, trying to stay out of jail. On the other hand, some officers are on a power trip. We discuss that fairly regularly, here.

I think that the camera serves to keep both parties in check. And, while I generally disapprove of public cameras, I find that I like the idea of body cams on officers. That said, though, I also find myself in agreement with those who advocate citizens keeping cameras on them, too. Just in case of any Constitutional violation being followed by a mysterious body cam failure.

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[dorminWS]

I think the uniform cam video completely exonerates the cop. He wasn't nasty or abusive. He did nothing I would have taken offense at if I'd been the fireman. He even apologized, saying "sorry for the scare", and the fireman responded "no problem". I think the uniform cam is a great idea.

[2k05gt]

I had an experience recently during a routine traffic stop, the officer was wearing a cam, he was so polite and engaging, explained the situation, why I was stopped and so on. after the ticket transaction was concluded he continued to be nice, and started asking me questions about my car. he said he's a car guy and was fascinated about my cars potential.
It's a loud Mustang GT that I Drag race at the track from time to time. We sat there and BS'ed for a while and talked cars and guns. ( I have a CWP and told the officer I had the permit and was carrying at the beginning of the traffic stop).

I went to court to see if I can reduce the charge of speeding. While in court the Judge asked the officer if I was curious to the officer, he said Yes, When the judge asked if I had anything to include, I stated that the officers conduct was not expected he made the ordeal less stressful and well pleasant. his demeanor made it easy to be curious to him. I said that the officer in my book should get the officer of the year award, he made it enjoyable to be pulled over.. the courtroom and the judge laughed. and reduced my speeding to failure to obey highway sign.

So my point is, was it the Camera or the officer who was personable? Was it the camera that makes the officer think twice about getting angry that I was driving 49 in a 35 (actually I was doing 53) My bad.. I was of course very apologetic that I was going so fast, I should know better but sometimes my car gets away from me.

[ShotgunBlast]

Body cams help keep honest people honest - on both sides of the lens. I think they should be mandatory on all police forces since they have shown to reduce complaints from citizens AND police officers as well as reducing the use of force.

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