Why Does "Some" Law Enforcement Resist This?

[ratcatcher55]

As a former LEO, I have mixed emotions on the whole video thing.

Dashcams are wonderful tools for the protection of both officer and citizen alike, not to mention a great source of evidence once things get to court.  Of course, not every squad car in the country is equipped with dashcams because, although the unit prices are pretty affordable, the necessity of equipping several (or even several thousand) cars with such equipment can be a budget buster for many agencies, in these tough economic times.

As for citizens taping interactions with police, here's where my mixed emotions REALLY kick in.  If the recording is used for a legitimate purpose (read that as, "used in court to substantiate or refudiate charges), then I'm all in favor, PROVIDING THERE IS A CONTEXT FOR THAT RECORDING.  "Gotcha" recordings (incomplete video depictions of a particular incident designed to make an officer look bad, or otherwise advance an agenda) not so much.

Remember the Rodney King video?  The only part of that tape the public every saw began AFTER King resisted arrest, even going so far as assaulting the officers.  SO in essence, these officers MAY have been crucified unjustly..  Then again, they may not have, we just don't know......which is my point.

Other videos that I see as problematic as to their relevance in any given situation are those that LACK audio.  The video shown in that piece where the mounted officers "beat the hell out of" the young man after a college football win may have been uncalled for, but how do we know without hearing what was said BEFORE they left horseback?  Did he verbally threaten the officers?  Did he tell them he had a gun in his pocket and was gonna shoot them all?  The tape doesn't tell us that.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that, while the police dashcams provide a COMPLETE video and audio record of a LEO/citizen interaction, there's no way to know if videos recorded by citizens are a complete, accurate record, or an attempt by someone who got a speeding ticket this morning, to give cops a bad name.

Not all LEOs are honest honorable people who should be wearing the badge.  Likewise, not all civilians are honest honorable people whose video evidence should be accepted without question.

Just my opinion, your mileage may vary.

All good points. I would add the distaction of watch the videographer and suspect at the same time.
Like TAB I think most professionals have no problem with it. It will teach you to keep the wisecracks to yourself.

[tt11758]

All good points. I would add the distaction of watch the videographer and suspect at the same time.
Like TAB I think most professionals have no problem with it. It will teach you to keep the wisecracks to yourself.

First they take away the officer's right to employ excessive force.  Now you want them to keep their wisecracks to themselves?  You're taking all the fun out of the job.   

Disclaimer:  The above was posted strictly che(tongue)ek.   

[bulldog75]

Some criminals use the camera to sucker good officers. Hide in a alley and edit the tape after the fact. They do not always show that the guy spit on you or other things like that. I have dealt with some like this. The tape in your cruiser cannot be edited and shows what truly happened. The Rodney King tape classic example. Fox showed the tape first and no one got mad because it was not edited. The liberal news edited it to cause public rage. I have had to prove my inoccence after the fact with my dash cam tape. Females with claim sexual assault and various things and it is costly. Dash cams keep officers inline. People trying to antagonize officers with cameras or sucker plays usually do not get charged it was just a misunderstanding is what defense attorneys will say. That is why some prosecutors pizz off officers. They should prosecute those that file false charges on officers. Second it is a safety issue. If I am trying to make sure what the criminal is doing and then blind sided by his friend that is just holding a camera. Classic sucker game. Distract you with a camera and then you are laying in a pool of blood wondering what the hell happened.