I think the comparison is just in that would you like your boss looking over your shoulder all day everyday. Seeing how many times you aren't giving your 100% to the job, are on your phone checking something or how many times you log onto the internet for non work things? I completely understand the need for body cameras, but there are some legitimate concerns for officers.

 

I have 60+ cameras in my building, I am used to it. Body cameras on cops aren't to bust them for hanging out at the donut shop too long, they are to prevent the bad cops from abusing their power. They are also there to protect the good cops who are victims of bogus complaints.

 

I certainly don't expect someone(s) to be sitting in a room monitoring cops 24/7, but I definitely think that data should be available when it's needed.

Medical Malpractice kills many many more people unjustly every year than the police ever will. Why don't we demand body cameras on Surgeons and other medical professionals as they perform procedures on patients? EMT's can screw up everyday, where is their body camera?

I have 60+ cameras in my building, I am used to it. Body cameras on cops aren't to bust them for hanging out at the donut shop too long, they are to prevent the bad cops from abusing their power. They are also there to protect the good cops who are victims of bogus complaints.

 

I certainly don't expect someone(s) to be sitting in a room monitoring cops 24/7, but I definitely think that data should be available when it's needed.

I agree, just making a point.

FWIW the body cameras aren't on all of the time, so the donut stop won't be recorded anyway :lol2:

Medical Malpractice kills many many more people unjustly every year than the police ever will. Why don't we demand body cameras on Surgeons and other medical professionals as they perform procedures on patients? EMT's can screw up everyday, where is their body camera?

 

I'm pretty sure most surgeries are video taped.

I know a camera in a police car can be turned on manually, but they also come on automatically when lights and sirens are on. Are body camera's sync'd with the same system? No way would you want to be a supervisor and audit film to see every move of every day, that's not their main purpose.

I know a camera in a police car can be turned on manually, but they also come on automatically when lights and sirens are on. Are body camera's sync'd with the same system? No way would you want to be a supervisor and audit film to see every move of every day, that's not their main purpose.

I'm pretty sure all have to be turned on manually. Generally two taps of a button or slide a switch. Some capture 30 seconds prior to being turned on but the audio will not start until the time they were actually turned on.

I'm pretty sure all have to be turned on manually. Generally two taps of a button or slide a switch. Some capture 30 seconds prior to being turned on but the audio will not start until the time they were actually turned on.

 

If they are turned on manually, I still don't see the point of having them, especially if the "bad cop" can manipulate it. jmo

If they are turned on manually, I still don't see the point of having them, especially if the "bad cop" can manipulate it. jmo

Most departments policy is that they are turned on for all interactions. If something happens and it's not recorded the department in most cases don't have the officers back unless there were some extenuating circumstances.

Medical Malpractice kills many many more people unjustly every year than the police ever will. Why don't we demand body cameras on Surgeons and other medical professionals as they perform procedures on patients? EMT's can screw up everyday, where is their body camera?

 

Medical personnel are involved in the most intimate, vulnerable parts of a person's life. As a patient, I would not want everything my doctor hears, sees and does recorded.

Medical personnel are involved in the most intimate, vulnerable parts of a person's life. As a patient, I would not want everything my doctor hears, sees and does recorded.

So if the Doctor is incompetent and kills grandma on the operating table that's cool...go to protect your privates!

 

When you are in surgery there are more people than you can imagine seeing your vulnerable parts. Some hospitals do record surgeries already without you even knowing.

 

Is it OK if the news does a Freedom of Information Request and wants to show a video of police walking through your filthy house when they come to arrest your spouse for an outstanding warrant. Lots of privacy concerns from body cameras for those on camera during everyday encounters with the police.

I was having this discussion with someone in the medical field last night and we both agree body cameras will migrate from policing to include the medical field.

 

If you are a nurse look at it this way, the hospital won't be able to make you take care of too many patients in the future because the video would expose the shortcomings of overworked nurses.

How often are false accusations, like brutality, theft, etc. made against officers? In those cases a body cam would be of benefit to the officer. Body cams likely also help prosecutors build a case against criminals in most situations.

It seems that body cams should be a useful tool FOR officers not against them.

 

In my experience rare. And I can't stress enough how high the ethical and moral standards were where I worked.

 

I worked with some cops that would seriously intimidate you, I am talking some guys I wouldn't mess with, but they didn't hurt anyone.

 

Almost never on theft. You start getting any theft allegations lodged against you and you are going on the polygraph. Theft was never a problem.

 

Most people complained when they thought they were being singled out and/or the cop was too verbally abusive or they just didn't get their way and body cameras will certainly put an end to those type of complaints and/or protect the officer if he didn't do anything wrong.

 

Switching gears my objection with body cameras is this, Police Work is both art and science and the best officers possess a wide artistic skill set. Cameras will make police work mostly science based. Hopefully it ends up being a good thing in the long run because we will have some growing pains along the way.

Comparing cops to a normal desk job (or any number of jobs that aren't in any way similar to police work) is silly and inaccurate. It's a bad analogy.

I'm pretty sure more folks are killed in automobile wrecks than by cops. Why not make it mandatory That all autos have them?

I'm pretty sure more folks are killed in automobile wrecks than by cops. Why not make it mandatory That all autos have them?

 

Do automobiles take an oath to protect and serve the community?

Do automobiles take an oath to protect and serve the community?

 

No but auto accidents costs us a lot of time and money among other things.

 

Slippery slope for sure. We all know insurance companies will be pushing for video so they can save money.