Cameras Mounted On Guns

[AVB-AMG 530]

Cameras Mounted On Guns

 

Below is a link to a letter to the editor from the Brooklyn borough president, Eric L. Adams, published in the 4-14-15 edition of The New York Times. It is titled: “Cameras Mounted on Guns”.
 

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/14/opinion/cameras-mounted-on-guns.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
 

While I agree with Mr. Adams that the unjustified killing of Walter Scott by Office Michael Slager in North Charleston, SC has highlighted a need for improving police-public interactions, I disagree with his proposal to mount cameras on the guns of police officers.

 

First of all, it is a very naive idea, based on current camera technology, let alone very unrealistic and impractical due to gun/holster logistics, size of camera lens and recording hardware, let alone probably being a very expensive idea to implement. I believe, though Mr. Adams is sincerely offering this idea as what he thinks is a viable option, yet he has not really thought it through. While laser technology has resulted in some very good and useful tools for handguns and rifles, cameras are far more complicated.

We should consider all viable options to improve how the police interact with the public, but not promote “knee-jerk” responses that lead to half-baked ideas that may sound like a good idea to some but are currently not practical.  Cameras with audio recording that may be worn by police officers may possibly help in this regard, then again, after some time, may prove to be more problematic by removing any latitude that the officer may have exhibited towards a person, when his and their conversations were not being recorded. The analogy would be to a reporter interviewing someone using only a pen and paper and how they respond, versus using an electronic recording device and their being much more self-conscious in their measured responses.

 

Only time and experience will inform us about this conundrum.

AVB-AMG

[magnawing 5]

two words...Body Cameras.

[louu 399]

How about 3 words STOP RESISTING ARREST.  

[Krdshrk 3,877]

Gun Cams = shaky as fuck.

 

I mounted my Contour on my Airsoft guns when playing - running around, etc.  Shaky as all hell.  When shooting?  You don't see anything because the camera's going crazy from recoil....

 

Body cams are where it's at.

[High Exposure 5,661]

I'm all for body cameras. I have never had a camera get me in trouble, and I have had my MVR camera in my squad car vindicate more times than I can count.

 

Here's the problem with cameras as I see them.

 

What do I do the first time someone tells me that I can't come in their house with a camera? How much of an invasion of privacy is an officer recording everything in your home while you are at your worst. We don't get called to birthday parties or graduation celebrations. We aren't exaclty going to be getting footage you would want played at your retirement dinner.

 

The footage is OPRA eligible. What happens when your asshole neighbor comes and requests it? Or your father in law, or DYFS, or a divorce attorney, or your employer?

 

Do I arrest someone because they won't let me in? Do I just say "fuck it" and walk away, without investigating a potential crime?

 

Cameras also don't show everything. I have seen plenty of instances where body cameras showed something pretty damning, only to have MVR cameras with a different angle show the Cops actions were justified 100%. Without that extra footage, the body camera perspective alone would have sent the cop to prison for 90 years.

 

The biggest thing is to put a disclaimer before every Cop/criminal law related TV show and Movie - "This is not real life. What you see is not how the system really works. This show is not an accurate depiction of what your actual rights are. Do not take this show as legal advice or an example of what to do. This is make believe."

 

I think that would go a long way.

[tuktuk 16]

How about 3 words STOP RESISTING ARREST.

Amen brother

[tuktuk 16]

I'm all for body cameras. I have never had a camera get me in trouble, and I have had my MVR camera in my squad car vindicate more times than I can count.

 

Here's the problem with cameras as I see them.

 

What do I do the first time someone tells me that I can't come in their house with a camera? How much of an invasion of privacy is an officer recording everything in your home while you are at your worst. We don't get called to birthday parties or graduation celebrations. We aren't exaclty going to be getting footage you would want played at your retirement dinner.

 

The footage is OPRA eligible. What happens when your asshole neighbor comes and requests it? Or your father in law, or DYFS, or a divorce attorney, or your employer?

 

Do I arrest someone because they won't let me in? Do I just say "fuck it" and walk away, without investigating a potential crime?

 

Cameras also don't show everything. I have seen plenty of instances where body cameras showed something pretty damning, only to have MVR cameras with a different angle show the Cops actions were justified 100%. Without that extra footage, the body camera perspective alone would have sent the cop to prison for 90 years.

 

The biggest thing is to put a disclaimer before every Cop/criminal law related TV show and Movie - "This is not real life. What you see is not how the system really works. This show is not an accurate depiction of what your actual rights are. Do not take this show as legal advice or an example of what to do. This is make believe."

 

I think that would go a long way.

^^^ what he said

[InFamous 311]

How about 3 words STOP RESISTING ARREST.  

 

That's what I keep saying every damn time!

[CMJeepster 2,777]

two words...

Two more... Personal responsibility.

[Polak 3]

We cater to the criminals if you didn't know that.