So what's wrong with the lapel camera idea?

You are not wrong, it is a great idea.

It's a good idea...but you will never be able to think what that officer is thinking in a serious situation.

It will give good insight, but people will still bash about what the cop decides to do.

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I don't see the downside.

Eliminate the uncertainty and assumptions that give an entry point to the Sharptons of the world, and at the same time keep law enforcement on the up-and-up.

Where am I wrong?

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Because so far, none of the jurisdictions that have implemented them have implemented a corresponding rule of adverse inference against the state when the camera is off.

LINK

LINK

There is cost, of course, but compared to what? What's the cost of false police brutality cases? Or the cost of someone killed by a dirty cop?

What's the cost for Wilson, who even if he acted as the GJ said, can never go back to the way it was. Can you imagine? You do everything right, follow training to a "T", but your life changes forever, and not in a good way.

I think its a small price to pay as a nation.

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none of the jurisdictions that have implemented them have implemented a corresponding rule of adverse inference against the state when the camera is off.

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Ok, throw that in too. In fact, don't even give control to the officer on-site.

Just like instant replay in football it won't solve everything, but it will certainly help.

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People should be careful of what they ask for

If the video quality is good it will increase convictions of Minorities

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Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, I don't see the downside yet.

As a future lawyer i think everyone should wear a video camera while on the job.

Of course you couldn't look at mine because that is privileged.

1. Prefer a glasses type of camera. Where my eyes are looking is not always to my front.

2. Threats don't always come from the front.

My take on cameras, love them if:

1. High frame rate and a field of view to mimic as close as possible to the human field of vision. (another reason for a head mounted camera)

2. Have all supervisors and admins wear them when dealing with the public and subordinates. (gets unions on board, I'm not in one by the way)

3. If any wrongdoing is alleged, the accused officer has right to a certified copy of all audio and video footage. (again for the officer's discovery, this is huge. It will get the line cops onboard with a fair shake for administrative hearings.)

4. Allow cops and citizens to use any and all video for criminal and civil litigation. If it is not requested it should be stored on a secure server for a minimum of 2 years. I prefer 6 for AL statute of limitations. (cost could be a big barrier)

5. Set when the camera must be on. For example:
a) lights on
b) exceeding a set cruiser speed
c) cruiser collision sensor
d) voluntary activation {any non consensual contact}
e) rifle rack release


Just off the top of my head.

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5. Set when the camera must be on. For example:
a) lights on
b) exceeding a set cruiser speed
c) cruiser collision sensor
d) voluntary activation {any non consensual contact}
e) rifle rack release

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ALWAYS. In this case supposedly there was a dash cam but the audio was switched off. Would have resolved a TON of questions.