Should Philly cops be equipped with little video cameras that could record their every move? The Police Department is giving it a shot, as the Philadelphia Daily News reported.
Taser International, the makers of the cameras, say the technology could protect officers against false citizen complaints. But, says Police Commissioner Charles Ramsay, the equipment is expensive and audio recording would violate Pennsylvania’s wiretap laws. The police union also opposes the idea.
The small video camera mounts on an officer’s glasses, hat or collar and captures every moment of audio and visual footage while a cop is at a scene. Philadelphia police are getting about a half dozen to test, said Commissioner Charles Ramsey…
The cameras cost about $1,000 per officer and Taser provides departments with free one-year access to Evidence.com, which departments can use to upload and store their videos. [more]
Guess we’ll have to wait and see if these cameras work better than the city’s security cameras.
Related reading: Even a top cop concedes a right to video arrests – but the street tells a different story [Philadelphia Daily News]
