The bodycams seem like a great idea and they do reduce complaints, but the cops just turn them off, or they miraculously malfunction when the want to go rogue.
It should effect the case, if the cams aren't on then it benefits the criminal in court. It'll let people off who don't deserve to yes, but no if they are well maintained and used correctly. It should be similar to a cop moving a piece of evidence at a scene, a fuck up that cops are well trained not to do because it helps the defence in court.
A police department near where I live, mostly a low income area, removed the dashcams from all of their cars. The reason? Almost every complaint against an officer, when they went to view the tape it was found to be missing or "unreadable". They removed the cameras to prevent the missing films from being used as an excuse by lawyers in court.
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Moviemistakes ago
This is a major step in the right direction to prevent police misconduct. Next steps: abolish civil forfeiture nationwide, mandatory body cams, etc.
catechumen ago
The bodycams seem like a great idea and they do reduce complaints, but the cops just turn them off, or they miraculously malfunction when the want to go rogue.
rollinstone123 ago
They shouldn't be able to be turned off.
There should be safeguards on the cams that they beep or alert the department/officer if they malfunction/stop recording.
catechumen ago
Wholly concur. I think they also need to be head-mounted to capture the officer's actual perspective as well.
Ulluses ago
It should effect the case, if the cams aren't on then it benefits the criminal in court. It'll let people off who don't deserve to yes, but no if they are well maintained and used correctly. It should be similar to a cop moving a piece of evidence at a scene, a fuck up that cops are well trained not to do because it helps the defence in court.
nearly-evil ago
A police department near where I live, mostly a low income area, removed the dashcams from all of their cars. The reason? Almost every complaint against an officer, when they went to view the tape it was found to be missing or "unreadable". They removed the cameras to prevent the missing films from being used as an excuse by lawyers in court.