County Tries Police Cams

[patric]

Lots of times when something like this could be handy, but with only three hours recording time, it will either over-write a lot of video that needed to be preserved, or not always be switched on when needed.
http://www.wirelessmobiledata.com/vidmic.pdf

New Jersey cops find a new way to collect cleavage shots on the beach:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0oP_pGJ1n4

Watch a creepy-eyed guy stumble through a video demonstration at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuAn0DlN0s0

[MH2010]

quote:Originally posted by patric

Lots of times when something like this could be handy, but with only three hours recording time, it will either over-write a lot of video that needed to be preserved, or not always be switched on when needed.
http://www.wirelessmobiledata.com/vidmic.pdf

New Jersey cops find a new way to collect cleavage shots on the beach:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0oP_pGJ1n4

Watch a creepy-eyed guy stumble through a video demonstration at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuAn0DlN0s0

Tulsa Police tried the lapel mic cameras about 6-7 months ago.  They were okay. They worked well in the daylight but the nighttime (low light) picture wasn't good. The recording time was also an issue.  We could never get over 5 hours.  Either officers had to switch them on when they thought they needed them or go back to the division before the three hour mark to download.  

Another issue was where officers should wear it.  If you put it at the "V" of your shirt, the pictue was good during interviews ect but if you pulled your weapon and/or just got into a tactical/fighting stance, the camera would be recording to the right(or left if your left handed) of what you wanted to record.  If you put the mic actually on your lapel, then it would usually record the sky or the horizon.

The best solution would be the cameras seen in the movie like "aliens" that the marines had. I think some soldiers use them now. They are right next to your eyes and see your line of sight.  That way what you are looking at is recorded.

I think in a few years, these things will be the way to go for city police officers but the technology still has a ways to go.

[RecycleMichael]

Soon we will be able to implant a camera directly in the forehead of the officer. This technology will be very useful for teachers, surgeons, and blackjack dealers as well.

On a serious note, you would think the 3 hour storage issue could be resolved with memory sticks.

[MH2010]

I just changed my post. The most we got it to go was 5 hours.  I don't know the technical aspect of it.  I'm sure they will improve it eventually.

[patric]

quote:On a serious note, you would think the 3 hour storage issue could be resolved with memory sticks.

Continuous recording would be about the only way to give such documentation credibility.  I would be a bit stand-offish if I were a juror presented with video full of gaps as evidence.
I agree these particular cameras would not be the way to go.

[inteller]

that's ok, they don't have to have it recording all the time.  My camera will get everything recorded.

[patric]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

that's ok, they don't have to have it recording all the time.  My camera will get everything recorded.

But you're cellphone camera could be a gun![)]

...at least that was the reason cited on TulsaNow for police not wanting you to use a cellphone, on the one-in-a hundred million-ish chance that the first cellphone-gun to make it to the North American continent just happens to show up in Tulsa Oklahoma...
(Kinda like me saying I dont want my daughter marrying a cop on the chance she could end up being Drew Peterson's fifth wife)[]

Im OK with police recording video at traffic stops as long as the public's right to do likewise is respected.  Fair is fair.

[patric]

A dashboard camera would have been handy in identifying the mysterious "white car" that caused a Tulsa police captain to drive his car into a light pole on the Sand Springs expressway at 3am Monday.

[TUalum0982]

quote:Originally posted by patric

quote:Originally posted by inteller

that's ok, they don't have to have it recording all the time.  My camera will get everything recorded.

But you're cellphone camera could be a gun![)]

...at least that was the reason cited on TulsaNow for police not wanting you to use a cellphone, on the one-in-a hundred million-ish chance that the first cellphone-gun to make it to the North American continent just happens to show up in Tulsa Oklahoma...
(Kinda like me saying I dont want my daughter marrying a cop on the chance she could end up being Drew Peterson's fifth wife)[]

Im OK with police recording video at traffic stops as long as the public's right to do likewise is respected.  Fair is fair.

http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/cellgun.asp

[cannon_fodder]

I've seen pens that can fire a .22 (the rube was a barrel, the end came off, and the clicker was pulled back and released to fire the round).  Clearly a metal pen would be passed through most security check points even at an airport.  You could modify any number of items to fire a .22, the requirements to fire a round are really low.

We can't make rules on the most far extreme scenario, or the level of rules would be insurmountable.  Plan for them, but don't turn every day occurrences into hell because of the possibility.

[MH2010]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

I've seen pens that can fire a .22 (the rube was a barrel, the end came off, and the clicker was pulled back and released to fire the round).  Clearly a metal pen would be passed through most security check points even at an airport.  You could modify any number of items to fire a .22, the requirements to fire a round are really low.

We can't make rules on the most far extreme scenario, or the level of rules would be insurmountable.  Plan for them, but don't turn every day occurrences into hell because of the possibility.

Police officers know we can't go around all shift on your highest alert level.  However, you should always be vigilant and on the lookout for anything suspicious. (like when someone keeps trying to point a pen or a cell phone at you.)

When you become complacent and think everything is routine, that is when you will be killed.

Everyone say a prayer for Deputy Sheriff William Howell Jr.  He didn't make it home.

Deputy Sheriff William Howell Jr.
Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office
South Carolina
End of Watch: Saturday, May 3, 2008

Biographical Info
Age: 46
Tour of Duty: 16 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Saturday, May 3, 2008
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Not available

Deputy William Howell was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance on Boyer Road at approximately 1:30 am. The male subject opened fire with a rifle, striking Deputy Howell in the neck.

The suspect was then run over and killed by his wife as he attempted to leave the home.

Deputy Howell had served with the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office for 3 years and had served in law enforcement for a total of 16 years. He is survived by his wife and three sons.

Agency Contact Information
Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office
1520 Ellis Avenue
Orangeburg, SC 29115

Phone: (803) 531-4647

Please contact the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office for funeral arrangements or for survivor benefit fund information.

Matthew D. Causey

Freedom is offered to you at the expense of the life, blood, sweat and tears of the U.S. Military.

[cannon_fodder]

quote:When you become complacent and think everything is routine, that is when you will be killed.

You have a great point, and in that line of work you are absolutely correct.  However, it is not your job (nor should it be) to weigh intrusiveness vs officer safety.  I was merely suggesting that passing laws that would restrict cell phones in cars or other over reactions due to these extreme possibilities would not be wise.

I'm sorry to hear an officer died while trying to protect a person from abuse.  The good news for society is the SOB that shot him got his in short order.  

I appreciate your insight.

[patric]

quote:Originally posted by MH2010

you should always be vigilant and on the lookout for anything suspicious. (like when someone keeps trying to point a pen or a cell phone at you.)

I would be concerned about an individual imagining that everyone with a cellphone or pen in their hand is a threat.  

[MH2010]

quote:Originally posted by patric

quote:Originally posted by MH2010

you should always be vigilant and on the lookout for anything suspicious. (like when someone keeps trying to point a pen or a cell phone at you.)

I would be concerned about an individual imagining that everyone with a cellphone or pen in their hand is a threat.  

Of course you would. It's not your life on the line.  

You should always be looking for non-verbal clues that may show someone's intent before they act.

A good rule is if the hair on the back of your neck starts to stand up, you should know that your subconscious is trying to tell you something is wrong. You just haven't picked up on it yet.

[patric]

quote:Originally posted by MH2010

you should always be vigilant and on the lookout for anything suspicious. (like when someone keeps trying to point a pen or a cell phone at you.)

quote:Originally posted by patric

I would be concerned about an individual imagining that everyone with a cellphone or pen in their hand is a threat.  

quote:Originally posted by MH2010

Of course you would. It's not your life on the line.  

You should always be looking for non-verbal clues that may show someone's intent before they act.

A good rule is if the hair on the back of your neck starts to stand up, you should know that your subconscious is trying to tell you something is wrong. You just haven't picked up on it yet.

But doesnt it indeed put my "life on the line" when someone has that extreme disposition?

A normal prudent person has no reasonable expectation to be shot because they have a pen or a phone in their hand in the normal course of the day.  That this may be all it takes to tweak an officer into deadly force mode is a little disturbing.