Many police and sheriff departments throughout the nation are moving to body cams for their officers. Some units reside in glasses that are worn; some are located on the shoulder epaulets. Some clip to the front of the shirt.
Though not all agencies have aligned themselves with these units, and some agencies are struggling with the policies to attend their utilization, there is an excellent chance that if you now come in contact with a law enforcement officer these days — including officers on motors — you are either on a dashcam or a body cam, or both.
Now, there are two new cams becoming more popular with the public, the Narrative and the Autographer. From this article in the Wall Street Journal, the reviewer believes:
by Geoffrey A. Fowler
I’ve been snapping photos of everything in front of me for the last week. If we’ve passed, even for a moment, I probably have a picture of your face.
I’m not a spy, but I’ve been using gear you might associate with 007. New matchbook-size cameras that clip to your tie or shirt let you capture a day’s worth of encounters, then upload them to the Internet to be remembered forever.
Why on Earth would anybody want to do that? After trying out two devices that recently began shipping, the $279 Narrative Clip and $399 Autographer, I think the answer for many will be why wouldn’t you?
Allow me to reply. Why would you? If you’re a large chunk of a self-centered asshole, perhaps you would. The author readily admits: if I walked by you, I have you caught on my cam. It’s not a terribly unforeseen thing that your location and the time of your presence there could easily be determined. At best, creepy; at worst, I’m going to punch you in the face for recording me.
But there’s a cost to amassing so much photographic evidence. The tiny cameras made others uncomfortable when they found out they were being recorded. Some friends wouldn’t hug me; gossiping colleagues kept asking, “Is that thing on?” These devices upset a fundamental (though arguably flawed) assumption that even in public, you aren’t being recorded.
Makes you squirm, doesn’t it? One reason I wanted to review these cameras is that this kind of technology isn’t going away. “Always on” cameras are becoming popular in home electronics like the Xbox One and a new wave of streaming video security systems. Now you can buy cameras that attach to your wrist, ear, bike helmet and eyeglasses. They’re also fast becoming part of the uniforms of cops, soldiers and doctors.
Your thoughts?
Is this really where you want technology to go? Where we want our civilization to go?
I say: this isn’t my world. I once had actual privacy. I’d like to at least kid myself for a few more years that I have a partial semblance of privacy left.
Do you really want to live in a country where your every waking moment is watched, gauged, monitored, prone to greater regulations and enforcement, and subject to critical examination from now until the end of time?
I’m not a robot, I’m a human being.
The cops don’t have a choice.
You do.
BZ
When I was doing repo work, I used a “pen spy camera” for much the same reason police use a dash cam. Puts the he said, they said question firmly on my side.
I don’t like the constant overall loss of privacy we are all experiencing. That said, I want to be in front of the power curve. Some entrepenuer will be coming out with jammers soon, I bet.
I already have a cell phone jammer. I use it in theaters. Perhaps nature abhors a body cam jammer vacuum.
BZ
I am personally a fan of this, even though I believe greatly in privacy. This hurts the cops more than citizens. No more cops being assholes or lying to trump up charges on citizens. No more cops acting out in response to their power trips or prejudices. Another trend also happeningis cop cars now have GPS that monitors them and where they are at…so no more cops lying about where they are or if they are hanging out at coffee shops longer than they should be.
Next time a cop roughs someone up or exagerrates charges, we can see if the cop is lying or not. If you ask me, this protects civilians more than it hurts them and keeps cops from acting like assholes….I am all for that.
Being a Libertarian more than a Republican these days, I tend to disagree. And GPS has been on my department’s vehicles for more than 10 years, dashcams for more than 5. I disagree in being tracked like a package and handled like a robot. Many arguments go back to the age-old “if you’ve done nothing wrong then you have nothing to fear” saw. I disagree with that as well. And I can God-damned guarantee YOU that if I wanted to nab your ass on breaking the law TODAY, I could monitor you on cams and find some section in some obscure body of law and not just issue a citation but likely throw you in jail.
You really want to go here like that? This is not the world I want to live in. I think you’d best check your six and do a bit more of The Logical Extension.
BZ
Time to start moving off the grid, out of a major metro area… It’s funny how it’s alright if WE are being videoed, but not when the camera is pointed in the OTHER direction…
That’s why I don’t visit major metro areas much, for one. And as far as cops are concerned, the indians don’t have the option. The Chiefs made that decision.
And no, I do NOT like video aimed at me. I know it’s going to happen on-duty. I’m primarily objecting to so much damned video on my OFF hours as a private citizen.
BZ
Video evidence is hard to argue with…
Unless it’s from, literally, the wrong perspective.
BZ
Just recently in the town just a few miles up the road I noticed cameras had been installed to monitor the crossroads. It gave me a chill to think that even here in this sparsely populated area, someone could now watch our daily comings and goings. I am stunned when I see how many live webcams are available all around the world. Someone can select a webcam thousands of miles away and essentially become a form of voyeur. It is a very unsettling thought for me. And now body cams? It is a terrible world that is developing out there where privacy is being eroded by the fascination and desire for gadgets. Soon there will be absolutely no where to escape to be truly alone. From drones overhead to TVs with cameras to these body cameras to black boxes in car…where will it all end? Privacy is dead. It just doesn’t know it yet. Welcome to the Matrix.
“Soon there will be absolutely no where to escape to be truly alone.”
If you haven’t read Orwell’s 1984, try reading it NOW. In that novel you ARE monitored in your own home.
EVERYone needs to read 1984.
BZ
I have a better idea BZ. How about any officer who finds himself subject to three or more complaints of rudeness, unprofessionalism, lots of “terry stops” or just plain being an asshole, is made to wear this for 6 months. All other cops who keep their noses clean, are free from this.
Maybe I am wrong, but if so, it is because of what I have been through and seen in the last year with cops “attitudes” and actions that differ greatly from what I expect.
First, I believe you may know, I am a retired cop myself. I have also been involved in situations recently, as a citizen, with cops, who were either total assholes and completely ignorant of my rights and THE LAW…or both. I still have family active in law enforcement, and from what we discuss, more and more cops are possibly hating their jobs, are not trained properly, don’t care to get training, and take this attutude and ignorance out on the public when they think no one is looking.
The cop I recently encountered, was a complete asshole and is currently the subject of my IA complaint. There is video of our “meeting” which his sgt and his IA dept are refusing to request…all stating it will not help their investigation. It appears to me, it’s one big cover up, with the dept protecting its own, either out of brotherhood, or dept liability denial.
Anyway, I obtained this cops IA file, and he has 41 complaints in his 7 year career as a cop. All for being an asshole, rudeness, profanity, and use of force. This asshole personally went hands on with me when I told him he was being rude after I CALLED him for assistance. Bear in mind, this guy is assigned to a backwater country bumpkin neighborhood where crime is low, and there is not much to do. I will grant, cops can have a bad day, and this may reflect slightly on how they treat the public, but more than that, the cops being an ass.
I worked a drug infested neighborhood where carjackings, violence, drug dealing, burglaries, and domestics were the easy shit. 90% minority, and I am white, with arrests made every shift without trying, and everyone who lives there hates the cops, and really hates white cops. I averaged one complaint a year, with all of them save for one with my being cleared. The one of was guilty of, I admitted to, which was use of unprofessional language after I told a guy coming at me with a knife, to drop it or I would “FCUKING” kill him. This was after my first half dozen polite requests of saying pretty please with sugar on top first.
So, maybe I am a little biased for now. But when I start to see too many cops abusing their power, with every tool they have to use against civilians and their word taken as gospel in a report or in court, with civilians having nothing in return, I am for the cops being watched. Let them face the same scrutiny they take out on civilians. Let them try to lie now.
When the cop shoved me around I had nothing but my word, which was unbelieved. In the 41 other complaints, all of them ended with the cops word against the complainant, so they “unfounded” the complaint. At what point do I have to ask, that agencies start believing its citizens over that of their cops? How many complaints before they think to themselves, well, maybe we do have an asshole with a badge.
So, I will retract my statement of ALL cops for now, as believe me, I DO KNOW, that cops HAVE to do certain shit to get the job done. And being watched may not be for the good cop. But if a cop starts to get complaints, put a camera and a recording on his ass. If he can keep his nose clean for 6 months, he gets it removed. And any recordings on it are NEVER viewed or look at UNLESS there is a complaint, and then, only on that certain time or call. No fishing expeditions. After 6 month, the camera goes away and everything erased.
Again, you caught me at a moment where I am a little sensitive on cops with attitudes. What do you say about the above? If no, what do you suggest be done with cops that think their badge makes them god?
“I have a better idea BZ. How about any officer who finds himself subject to three or more complaints of rudeness, unprofessionalism, lots of “terry stops” or just plain being an asshole, is made to wear this for 6 months. All other cops who keep their noses clean, are free from this.”
At first blush, I don’t have a problem with that. But I think you took my point and extruded another direction and meaning entirely.
This wasn’t meant to be probe back at you. It was meant for you to stop and ask: hey, just why the fuck do we need another 100,000 news laws in the United States come January 1st of 2014?
The topic is too large for this post. I have definite thoughts. Perhaps I should take this and use it for the foundation of another post. Because I have some very clear opinions on the matter.
BZ
I agree that this topic could go on and on.
As for laws, I for one would love to see a moratorium on all laws. That way, these idiots that keep making them, have to every so often, justify their continued existence. This would allow unpopular laws or “stupid” laws to eventually fall off the books. I also do not think we really need more laws as there is now a hundred ways to charge someone with just about anything.
I guess I simply wanted some accountability on cops. Not the everyday one that does a good job, but the asshole that makes the majority look bad. I used to see it when I wore a uniform, and shook my head. But I never witnessed the kind of outrageous nonsense not only making the news and youtube almost daily, but have encountered first hand now.
There needs to be cops for cops, so to speak. As the old saying goes, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The only thing keep most cops honest is their integrity…which is quite high in our profession. But the occassional jerk that lets his badge go to his head, is almost impossible to get rid of. The unions, and cops protecting cops, and agencies protecting cops, not for the officer’s benefit, but so they don’t have a lawsuit on their hands, keep bad cops from ever facing “justice” when they do something horrible. As always, when a civilian accuses a cop of doing something wrong, the cop always gets the benefit of the doubt.
Now maybe, someone higher up will pull the cop aside and tell him to “cut the shit”…but this is of little comfort to the civilian that was on the receiving end of the cops bad behavior.
Way too many cops are becoming gestappo with their attitudes. I heard of the horror stories of cops during the 60’s and 70’s, being on the take, shaking down businesses, and power trips, but felt that was in the past. The 90’s, and the last ten years or so, this didn’t seem to be a big deal. But now, history seems to be repeating itself. I am seeing way too much abusive behavior, and not just on youtube…but in person. And not just my instance, but from what I still hear about with friends and family still involved.
Of course, I do not thing it is an “epidemic” as liberals would say about a perceived problem, but I certainly don’t want to see it become that either.
Just as I want our congress to be under the same rules that they expect all of us to abide by, and not get special treatment for themselves that is not available to all citizens, I want the same for cops. They have to obey rules too. If a cop accused someone of breaking the law, even if it is untrue, that guy goes to jail instantly, then has a huge and expensive legal battle to clear his name. But if a cop is accused of something, hell, he gets paid leave, paid legal representation, and almost never gets fired unless he shoots the chief and screws his wife…twice. I want bad cops to face the same hassles and consequences if they screw up. In our agency, the cops have GPS in their cars and cameras that go on only when the cop turns it on, or when he flips on his lights (it actually backs up 30 seconds before). It never gets viewed, but they are tracked. Well, that is great, but what if, like in my situation, there is no dash cam? A shoulder cam is a great idea. It would have gone a long way in this cop keeping his hands off me and more importantly, keeping him from accusing me of saying and doing things I did not do. Heck, none of it would have even happened and he would have been a down right gentlemen had he known he was being recorded…as in acting like he should be ALL THE TIME ANYWAY.
So, it may be a great idea to delve into this better. I agree good cops should not be punished. But if we put ankle monitors on bad citizens, then cops accused of bad things should get “monitored” too. In the end, they will either straighten up, or be rid of…and all we will have is GOOD cops. Which is how it should be. In my day, cops were good becasue of pride and integrity. With those attributes becoming rare, then we need to step in. And relying of cops to police themselve HONESTLY, seems to no longer be as effective as it once was. The lack of responsbility that so many people today seem to embrace, has reached into the ranks of law enforcement, and something may need to be addressed.