City officials considering body cameras for police officers

[Denim Chicken]

City officials considering body cameras for police officers

A presentation by Digital Ally representative Jim Hendrickson is scheduled during today’s Public Protection Committee meeting. Alderman Adonnis Shaw brought up the topic at last month’s meeting. He believes body cameras would help prevent excessive force lawsuits and keep officers accountable.

http://wlds.com/news/city-officials-considering-body-cameras-for-police-officers/

This is in Jacksonville. I think it is a great idea and past due. No more he said / she said. Affordable technology. Admissible as evidence in a courtroom. Should save money on lawsuits and hold police accountable for their actions. I really see no drawback. It should be adopted in all localities.

 

[BigStar]

City officials considering body cameras for police officers

A presentation by Digital Ally representative Jim Hendrickson is scheduled during today’s Public Protection Committee meeting. Alderman Adonnis Shaw brought up the topic at last month’s meeting. He believes body cameras would help prevent excessive force lawsuits and keep officers accountable.

http://wlds.com/news/city-officials-considering-body-cameras-for-police-officers/

This is in Jacksonville. I think it is a great idea and past due. No more he said / she said. Affordable technology. Admissible as evidence in a courtroom. Should save money on lawsuits and hold police accountable for their actions. I really see no drawback. It should be adopted in all localities.

Really...according to the police state mentaility, "if you have nothing to hide?" what is the problem officas?

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

They use them here in New Mexico. Problem is, they are not required as evidence by the DA. Another words, they can use them when they want to as evidence against you or, the DA can elect to forgo them and bring charges against you without presenting that evidence.

Basically, it's only used if it helps the case against the person who is being charged, which is not right as the the regulations say that officers must wear them and have them on at all times, while in uniform.

 

[BigStar]

They use them here in New Mexico. Problem is, they are not required as evidence by the DA. Another words, they can use them when they want to as evidence against you or, the DA can elect to forgo them and bring charges against you without presenting that evidence.

Basically, it's only used if it helps the case against the person who is being charged, which is not right as the the regulations say that officers must wear them and have them on at all times, while in uniform.

That blows...that is how the current system is run. Shouldn't have been naive enough to believe the police would start policing for the good of society and not maintain status quo for those in power (wealth). The structure of the system...not the policemen themselves, etc.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

That blows...that is how the current system is run. Shouldn't have been naive enough to believe the police would start policing for the good of society and not maintain status quo for those in power (wealth). The structure of the system...not the policemen themselves, etc.

It may be different in other places, I don't know. Here, the Law has a lot of latitude. Things that you would never get away with in other places, they get away with here. I mean, it is what it is.

 

[Denim Chicken]

They use them here in New Mexico. Problem is, they are not required as evidence by the DA. Another words, they can use them when they want to as evidence against you or, the DA can elect to forgo them and bring charges against you without presenting that evidence.

Basically, it's only used if it helps the case against the person who is being charged, which is not right as the the regulations say that officers must wear them and have them on at all times, while in uniform.

That doesn't seem legal. The defense should be able to obtain the tapes through the discovery process

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

That doesn't seem legal. The defense should be able to obtain the tapes through the discovery process

You can request them but all the prosecution has to say is that the files were corrupted or that the tape did not get recorded or that the device was not on.

It's true, they should have to turn over any pertinent evidence to the defense attorney but it doesn't happen. There was actually a big deal about it here about 6 months ago and the local news did a story on it but nothing has come of it. Just a wink and a nod kind of thing from the Chief and that was it.

Just a few weeks ago here, in fact, there was a man who shot and killed three officers. The man who killed the three (and he absolutely did kill them) was shot and killed as well. The lapel cam video was requested on the shootings but none of it was turned over. Apparently, it was not available.

That's how it works here.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Honest question, is Texas law based on a common law that no other jurisdiction's laws are not based on?

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

The only problem is the "Thin Blue Line Phenomenon". They investigate their own and their own never ends up behind bars for a shooting. They somehow always seem to find a way to justify it.


How's that for justice?

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

They use them here in New Mexico. Problem is, they are not required as evidence by the DA. Another words, they can use them when they want to as evidence against you or, the DA can elect to forgo them and bring charges against you without presenting that evidence.

Basically, it's only used if it helps the case against the person who is being charged, which is not right as the the regulations say that officers must wear them and have them on at all times, while in uniform.

I agree with ABQ. I work with a police accountability group. Basically, we film interactions with police downtown and we keep the evidence. That is 'our evidence'. The police do the same thing with their evidence. You need a court order just to see it sometimes.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

but McCoy isn't what you do different in that it is only something you have to disclose in a civil action, whereas cop video usually forms part of the prosecution and the prosecution has to disclose all evidence to the defence both inculpatory and exculpatory?

 

[BigStar]

I agree with ABQ. I work with a police accountability group. Basically, we film interactions with police downtown and we keep the evidence. That is 'our evidence'. The police do the same thing with their evidence. You need a court order just to see it sometimes.

I like "this" ALOT! Givem hell...

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

but McCoy isn't what you do different in that it is only something you have to disclose in a civil action, whereas cop video usually forms part of the prosecution and the prosecution has to disclose all evidence to the defence both inculpatory and exculpatory?

The problem is the police often lose video intentionally or say their camera wasn't running. What we do is film them so we can keep the evidence for ourselves, and post it to the public when officers don't act unprofessionally or with brutality. We've already managed to catch cops unnecessarily tazing people and making threats. A few officers have been suspended because we post the videos on facebook, and the chief gets them. He tries to protect his butt by suspending them for a few days. But really, it's just a front to act like he's holding them accountable. We have a terrible local government at the moment. But people here really are tired of the police corruption and brutality. I mean, they'll shoot your dog like it's nothing. They've shot around 50 dogs this year, according to an inside source. But yeah, the body cameras are a good idea. The only problem is police aren't typically reliable with providing their evidence, which is why we like to get our own evidence. I'll actually be a witness to a DWI stop I filmed back in August. The guy's lawyer called me and asked me what I thought. I said I thought the guy looked sober. So, I'll be on call for that. In my town, there are several activists who do the same thing. We're out almost every weekend filming them. They don't like us much, but they know we're there.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

I like "this" ALOT! Givem hell...

The point isn't to give them hell so much per se, during the stops and interactions. The point is to document. But when they do approach us and bark unlawful orders at us, we do assert ourselves. We call it "flexing our rights".

 

[BigStar]

The problem is the police often lose video intentionally or say their camera wasn't running. What we do is film them so we can keep the evidence for ourselves, and post it to the public when officers don't act unprofessionally or with brutality. We've already managed to catch cops unnecessarily tazing people and making threats. A few officers have been suspended because we post the videos on facebook, and the chief gets them. He tries to protect his butt by suspending them for a few days. But really, it's just a front to act like he's holding them accountable. We have a terrible local government at the moment. But people here really are tired of the police corruption and brutality. I mean, they'll shoot your dog like it's nothing. They've shot around 50 dogs this year, according to an inside source. But yeah, the body cameras are a good idea. The only problem is police aren't typically reliable with providing their evidence, which is why we like to get our own evidence. I'll actually be a witness to a DWI stop I filmed back in August. The guy's lawyer called me and asked me what I thought. I said I thought the guy looked sober. So, I'll be on call for that. In my town, there are several activists who do the same thing. We're out almost every weekend filming them. They don't like us much, but they know we're there.

I really admire you and your group's efforts. Your money is definitely in your mouth dude and what you are doing is so important to counteract the continual loss of civil liberties that we have witnessed as a result of the War on Terror, Police Department funding/training mirroring that of military combatants, and acting as such. The justice system is already skewed against us (everyone who doesn't own the color blue type of wealth), and the prison industrial complex necessitating a harsh and "nit picky" legal system that uses little discretion or common sense towards rehabilitation. Just THANK YOU!

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

I really admire you and your group's efforts. Your money is definitely in your mouth dude and what you are doing is so important to counteract the continual loss of civil liberties that we have witnessed as a result of the War on Terror, Police Department funding/training mirroring that of military combatants, and acting as such. The justice system is already skewed against us (everyone who doesn't own the color blue type of wealth), and the prison industrial complex necessitating a harsh and "nit picky" legal system that uses little discretion or common sense towards rehabilitation. Just THANK YOU!

Hey, man, not everyone appreciates us, so thanks. There are some on this board who ridicule my efforts. But, it's nice to hear that some get what it's all about, and that is to counter our deteriorating civil liberties. You're completely right when you say they use the WOT and the PIC to erode civil liberties. We don't think this is a political issue. It's an issue that effects everyone, whether they know it or not. And yeah, I complain, but I also act rather than react. We call it "direct action". It's actually very empowering to take some of that power back. With the camera, we have the control. And we go out in numbers so they can't fabricate stories. I'm on two fronts, but I'll only speak of the cop watch thing we do here. I suggest a reading for anyone who is interested in the issue. It's called "The Rise of the Warrior Cop" by Radly Balko. He was a speaker at a Summit we did as was the controversial Bobby Seale. We're just getting started, but chapters of our group are popping up everywhere. And we hope to have 100 or so in various counties around the nation within a few years. I help spearhead launching some of those chapters, along with help from other activists. It really is important, I think, especially with the way things are going nowadays on all sides of the debate. Everyone is effected. So thanks for the "thank you". I appreciate that, not because I want notoriety, but because I'm glad to know some actually get why we do what we do.

Cheers!

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

I really admire you and your group's efforts. Your money is definitely in your mouth dude and what you are doing is so important to counteract the continual loss of civil liberties that we have witnessed as a result of the War on Terror, Police Department funding/training mirroring that of military combatants, and acting as such. The justice system is already skewed against us (everyone who doesn't own the color blue type of wealth), and the prison industrial complex necessitating a harsh and "nit picky" legal system that uses little discretion or common sense towards rehabilitation. Just THANK YOU!

Also, I noticed you are from DC. I was trying to help a local activist there get out of prison with an attorney I had been referred to up there. But the weirdest thing happened and the guy plead guilty out of the blue. Now he goes back for sentencing in January, which I'm totally bummed about. I was on the horn with his mom and we were trying to get him out and the next day he pleads guilty. Total surprise to all of us behind the scenes working on getting him counsel. But I assume he had a reason. I hate that his "friends'' took advantage of him while he was down (stole his legal defense donations). But I love that guy and what he does. PM me if you want to chat it up anytime.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

It may be different in other places, I don't know. Here, the Law has a lot of latitude. Things that you would never get away with in other places, they get away with here. I mean, it is what it is.

I was tracking the most recent cavity case you guys had up there. Dang, that was a real doozy. I feel terrible for the butt clencher guy.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

but McCoy isn't what you do different in that it is only something you have to disclose in a civil action, whereas cop video usually forms part of the prosecution and the prosecution has to disclose all evidence to the defence both inculpatory and exculpatory?

We don't have to disclose anything to my knowledge. As I said, I got unlawfully interrogated on a dwi stop a while back. I gave officers my name, although I didn't have to. Turns out it was for the good. His lawyer called me as a potential witness. I'd be more than happy to help this guy. He was cooperative and did their test flawlessly. They still took him in. So, in that case it's a criminal one. But we'll let people use video for civil purposes, although honestly that hasn't came up. Exculpatory evidence is a possibility for the dwi stop, as I said. And I may be called for that, although I suppose they could just use my video vs. the police. I do not turn over inculpatory evidence to the police. That's their job.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

That doesn't seem legal. The defense should be able to obtain the tapes through the discovery process

Again, it's important to know that in an alarming percentage of cases, police don't turn over their evidence, especially exculpatory evidence. I've discovered quite a bit over the years. I used to run from the cops. Nowadays, I chase them....