An In Car Camera Can Be a Cop’s Best Friend and a Criminal’s Worst Enemy

Police rely on their skills and expertise to do their job well. They patrol the streets, stopping drivers from speeding, thieves from stealing, and criminals from committing crimes that endanger the lives or property of others. But every detail of a crime scene can be hard to remember, especially if more than one person is involved. Police have to recall who was involved and what was said, and be able to explain what happened during the incident. With the help of an in car video system, police can review the footage to be sure they have all their facts straight. In addition, the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services found that an alarming number of police were being assaulted while doing their duties. With video footage, law enforcement is be able to track the events, and make an appropriate arrest. Police car video systems can also be helpful during racial profiling claims. There are often complaints that police pull over or question potential criminals based on their color or ethnicity, and reviewing video from an in car camera can make a cop’s intentions transparent during a public hearing. Another advantage of having police car video cameras is that they can hold police accountable for their actions. In most cases, police act according to the rules and regulations laid down by their particular precinct and the state. Their superiors can watch video recordings on a regular basis to ensure that they are meeting these expectations, and work with an officer to improve his or her professionalism. This can result in an entire department that continuously strives for excellence. Other benefits of police car video cameras include faster prosecution, as well as enhanced training for rookie cops. Studies show that the majority of complaints against police officers decreased when plaintiffs found out the officer had a car dash cam, and these videos can be used as evidence against a defendant to validate an arrest, or a ticket for speeding. It can also be hard to demonstrate how to handle arrests and more complicated situations to a new police officer on the force. These videos could prove extremely useful in training these cops in police etiquette, and dealing with non-compliant criminals. The number of officers that have police car video cameras has increased significantly in recent years, with the U.S. Bureau of Justice reporting that about 60% to 70% of officers and police departments now utilize these systems. With the help of in car cameras, police can be sure they are doing their job to the best of their ability, and also be held accountable.