The Benefits of Video Camera Systems in Police Cars
Video surveillance technology has proven to be imperative to the work of investigators. Not only does it help find criminals, but it also helps provide solid evidence to convict them in court. This technology has also proven to be extremely helpful in police in car video systems. In the 1990s, a time when the police force was viewed very negatively by the public, police officers began carrying camera systems in their cars to address accusations of racism. Since then, video camera systems have greatly improved the way police officers can assess themselves and observe how they handle certain high-stress situations on the job.
Below are just a few of the benefits of this equipment:
- Review Situations – Vehicle camera systems allow police officers and investigators to review video footage, which has a number of useful applications. It allows officers to assess their professionalism and proper police procedures. Video review also makes police departments aware of inappropriate behavior and allows them to address these issues. Finally, videos greatly increase officer safety.
- Public Opinion – Police officers are often viewed negatively in the public eye, with suspicions of racism and police brutality perceived as increasingly common. Vehicle camera systems not only address these issues if and when they arise, but they allow the public to see an accurate tape of what actually happened in a situation. Many arrest scenarios are blown out of proportion by the media, and car video recorders can provide a fair and honest depiction, allowing the public to see that officers are often times not at fault.
- Video Evidence – Video surveillance from police cars has also proven to be extremely useful during court proceedings. Often times, video footage from police cars provide the evidence needed to convict criminals, and this type of evidence is now common during criminal cases.