Lights, Dash Camera, Action: The Unbiased Eye of the In Car Video System

According to 2013 research, the global dash camera market was valued at approximately $1.4 billion and from 2014 to 2020 it's been expected to grow annually by 15.3%. They're incredibly popular in countries that don't have the insurance, liability, and police systems of the United States.

They're gaining popularity in the U.S. among civilians and law enforcement officers alike, sharing similar uses and some vastly different. In the line of duty, video surveillance is an important part of officer safety, accountability, and technologically advancing police work. These are some ways an in-car video system is a plus for law enforcement.

Officer Safety

In a police cruiser, the in car video system records exactly what the officer sees from the driver's seat. It doesn't go to sleep, it stays watching until a patrol is over. Officers often patrol and perform routine law enforcement duties alone. Having a recording device watching in the background during a traffic stop (or any stop) provides a level of confidence in the case of an altercation.

Legal Accountability

In the same way that a recording device can defend an officer's actions, it can be equally condemning if the officer acts outside of lawful protocol. In both instances, in recent years, dash cams have played a part in providing tragic recorded evidence. While it's messy in either direction, having an event recorded gives the ability to analyze and apply the legal system accordingly.

Situational Decision Making Training Materials

From around the country, dash camera footage can be used as training materials for police academy students. It can even be used for further professional development for current officers. In car video systems provide a unique perspective that went unrecorded -- and often unseen -- for a long time, leading to increased officer awareness of procedural excellence in a variety of different situations.

It's a police officer's job to protect and to serve their citizens. Doing so with technological help is improving the efficiency, accountability, and training of officers on a daily basis. Hitting the streets in a patrol car rigged with a dash will bring new light into law enforcement.