Here's a possible way that we could mitigate three or more of the "problems" people a

[Chrispycritter]

1.Punks skating away from charges because of a loophole or minor technical error

2.Bad cops

3."He said/she said" disputes


Let's assume that in a few years a person will be able to "record" the events that unfold each day-say by running a tiny camera that resides in a cap or hat of some kind-let's assume also that this camera is able to record a fine-quality 360 deg. view of events around you and transmit these signals back to your home, where it is stored on a tape or disk using some kind of format that precludes any messing around with Photoshop, etc. to distort the recordings-

NOW, when accused of doing 80 in a 35 when I know otherwise;
OR, given change back for a TEN when I know I handed her a TWENTY;
AND,when I'm accused of making sexual advances to a child, or making terrorist threats to my neighbor, or making false reports to the police, I simply say:

LET'S ROLL THE TAPE, SHALL WE?!

Harassed by a rogue cop who doesn't like your face?...roll the tape.
Accounting for your whereabouts on August 17?...roll the tape.
See a punk burglarize a parts store and the charges are dropped because the witnesses can't agree on what color his SHIRT was?...roll the tape.


Of course, this would help cops, too!

Drunks screaming about POLICE BRUTALITY when they fall on their faces during sobriety checks;
Lunatic miscreants promising to murder your family if you dare to issue them a citation;
etc., etc. ,etc.

Would you consider this "cap-corder" (or "cop-corder" as some might suggest)to be a beneficial device overall?

Before you accuse me of Big-Brotherism, remember- these tapes would be YOURS to use or not; nobody else can see them unless you allow it...

I think that soon, technology will enable a device like this to become a reality.

Would you be FOR it, or a-GIN it?

[CdwJava]

Things like that (aka "copcams") have been tested widely. So far the technology and the price has not reached a point where they are beneficial, convenient, or cost effective to use widely. Maybe some day in the future, but right now - no.

Are they good tools? Sure. They can be. Would I be for them? Most likely ... but I'd like to see the technology and the agency policies governing their use before I made an opinion.

For instance, in many agencies patrol vehicles now have GPS locators. Sounds like a GREAT officer safety idea! But, suddenly, the administration starts disciplining officers for excessive speeds when responding to calls (speeds can be tracked and pulled from the GPS devices). The result is that response times drops dramatically. The public doesn't like this ... they get beat up or seriously hurt before officers arrive ... the suspect(s) escaped ... injured persons do not get treated in time ... etc. And not every call permits a code 3 (lights and siren) type response.

So, while traveling the speed limit at all times is admirable, if technology is going to be used to chill otherwise acceptable or reasonable behavior by the employees, then it can have unintended negative consequences.

And as for the general public using them? Well, I don't know about everyone else, but I don't know if I want every moment of every day to be available for intercept or re-broadcast to the world. Nor is the average person (unless they are looking for trouble) going to waste any time seriously mounting and doing follow up on their daily personal camera info.

Oh, and it also provides good evidence to the police via subpoena. If you have it, it is evidence and the police can get it to use against you.

What a great idea!

Carl

Carl

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

My response:

Don't forget about privacy, either. Remember, the person you're recording may be entitled to privacy from recordings, depending upon the situation and the PLACE where the recording is occurring; e.g., "expectation of privacy" laws.

So, it can't work in all places, and under all circumstances.

IAAL

[Chrispycritter]

Oh, I'm sure there will be plenty of idiots forgetting to remove their cap-corder, and then going out to rob a liquor store or something...