In light of the events that transpired in Ferguson, Missouri, President Obama has now called for an initiative to deploy 50,000 body cameras for police to wear on their person during their day-to-day calls for service. On the surface, it seems like a great plan. However, I believe this is a “feel good” political response with limited benefit. This initiative is setting the country up for more “distrust” of the police when the body camera video/audio is not available for a multitude of reasons. It is clear that Florida legislators will need to implement new state statutes covering various issues and circumstances surrounding body worn cameras. Remember also, police officers have rights too, by statute, and legislators must consider how the implementation of body worn cameras impact citizens and the police officer while in performance of their official duties. What are your thoughts? But first, please consider the following: Who will pay for the body cameras? How would this impact smaller agencies where there is a small tax base. Will the body camera be on all the time or just when the officer deems it necessary or when a potential threat is likely? Will you, the citizen, who calls for service, want to be video/audio recorded? Even on the most benign call for service. In certain situations, do you have the right to request the officer to stop recording? What recourse does a citizen have against the officer or the employing law enforcement agency for failing to stop a recording or failure to start a recording? Will you, the citizen, consent to the inside of your house and all the details of your issue; i.e. domestic violence, teenager acting out, etc., being video/audio recorded? In a criminal investigation, consent would arguably not be necessary. Will you, the citizen, want to be video/audio recorded when desiring your identity to be kept confidential; the confidential caller/concerned citizen? Will you, the citizen, be less likely to call for police protection or intervention as a result of knowing you will be video/audio recorded by a body camera? This is called the “chilling effect.” Will body worn cameras be triggered based on sudden vibration or use video analytics to trigger recording? Violent acts/ambushes upon an officer can occur without notice and if the body camera can only be activated by the officer, then it may not get activated as a result of a sudden violent act. These situations will undoubtedly lead to a deadly force situation. Battery consumption, how long will the battery last? Is the officer indemnified by any proposed statute for when a body camera fails to function? Will you, the citizen, who called for service object to criminal charges being filed upon you after video/audio evidence is captured and reviewed at a later date? Should there be statutory limitations on potential video/audio evidence from body worn video cameras when that evidence is obtained while on a call for service? Will you, the citizen, want to pay for replacement parts, storage, and new body worn cameras? Is this the best money spent on law enforcement? Should a potential body worn camera mandate include federal law enforcement authorities, members of congress, and other public officials? A police officer is a public official.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 22:14:14 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015