The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: Ichiban on May 14, 2008, 11:39:35 AM

Title: Gun-cam
Post by: Ichiban on May 14, 2008, 11:39:35 AM
Cameras for the LEO's sidearm.

I think with a little refinement this could be a pretty useful tool.

http://video.ap.org/v/default.aspx?mk=en-ap&g=dbe18b71-e46a-4aa7-9db5-d383b2b577d2&f=ap&fg=email  (http://video.ap.org/v/default.aspx?mk=en-ap&g=dbe18b71-e46a-4aa7-9db5-d383b2b577d2&f=ap&fg=email)
Title: Re: Gun-cam
Post by: tombogan03884 on May 14, 2008, 12:49:22 PM
Interesting idea.
Title: Re: Gun-cam
Post by: ericire12 on May 14, 2008, 12:53:29 PM
I like it...... it needs to be a little smaller, so it may be a few more years before it becomes standard issue.
Title: Re: Gun-cam
Post by: tombogan03884 on May 14, 2008, 01:09:16 PM
I like it...... it needs to be a little smaller, so it may be a few more years before it becomes standard issue.

Maybe not years, but yes, it needs to be smaller.
 This raises an interesting point, Aircraft designers are simplifying cockpit designs  because they found Pilots were becoming overloaded with screens, monitors, gauges dials switches and other instuments etc. Are we overloading Police in the same way ? Radio, dash cam, computer, etc. I have literaly seen a Police officer return to the station because there were so many settings on his light control that he could not get the blues to shut off, will this "overloading" put the Officers in danger, due to distraction ?
Another problem, We make fun of AR owners (primarily) who put a rail system on their rifle then load it down with all kinds of gadgets until you have to look close to even tell if there is a weapon under all that stuff. Now they are starting to do the same thing to hand guns. Currently we have White light, Laser, and now Camera, what does this do to the "handiness" of the pistol, What effect will all this "stuff" have on an Officers reaction time ?
Title: Re: Gun-cam
Post by: ericire12 on May 14, 2008, 01:33:38 PM
Maybe not years, but yes, it needs to be smaller.
 This raises an interesting point, Aircraft designers are simplifying cockpit designs  because they found Pilots were becoming overloaded with screens, monitors, gauges dials switches and other instuments etc. Are we overloading Police in the same way ? Radio, dash cam, computer, etc. I have literaly seen a Police officer return to the station because there were so many settings on his light control that he could not get the blues to shut off, will this "overloading" put the Officers in danger, due to distraction ?
Another problem, We make fun of AR owners (primarily) who put a rail system on their rifle then load it down with all kinds of gadgets until you have to look close to even tell if there is a weapon under all that stuff. Now they are starting to do the same thing to hand guns. Currently we have White light, Laser, and now Camera, what does this do to the "handiness" of the pistol, What effect will all this "stuff" have on an Officers reaction time ?

Bullseye!
Title: Re: Gun-cam
Post by: Ichiban on May 14, 2008, 02:05:22 PM
I don't think this applies to this application as it is supposed to turn on when the weapon is un-holstered.  I am more concerned on the effect it has on getting the gun into play with expediency.

But I agree with the premise that the officer is being saturated with information and procedure/protocol.  The last time I looked in the front seat of a police car it was hard to tell that it was supposed to be a car and not some command center.  Fortunately it's been a loooong time since I've had to see the backseat up close.  ;D
Title: Re: Gun-cam
Post by: NYPD13 on May 14, 2008, 03:56:49 PM
Nifty idea however it would have to be much smaller. Many of my dept's shootings involve plain clothes officers who aren't carrying their full size service auto. That thing was the same size as my off duty weapon!
Title: Re: Gun-cam
Post by: twyacht on May 14, 2008, 08:38:29 PM
Saw a report on this concept and supposedly cannot be downloaded by the officer and has to be turned over to an Geeksquad member to get the footage.

Interesting in this day and age when lawsuits and charges can ruin one's life, especially a LEO shooting situation, dash cams have helped the majority of officers, (I'm sure we have all seen shocking and sometimes tragic footage), from a LEO dash cam.

It might be a plus, if the size and gadget doesn't get in the way.