It'd make for must watch tv.
"B*tch set me up! Again!!!"
Posted on 09/25/2012 6:48:03 AM PDT by marktwain
The Phoenix Police Department, in partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) College of Public Programs, has received a $500,000 federal grant to purchase 50 on-officer video camera systems that will be used in the Maryvale Precinct.
The Department of Justice “Smart Policing” grant will allow ASU and the Police Department to jointly examine the impact of this technology on crime, public and police accountability, and satisfaction with the police.
“This grant will allow us to further our department’s commitment to community-based policing while maintaining the public trust,” said Acting Police Chief Joe Yahner. “The technology that this grant will provide will enhance our officers’ ability to provide quality police service in keeping with the highest standards of the Phoenix Police Department.”
Acting on a recommendation by the City Manager’s Community Engagement and Outreach Task Force, Phoenix Police piloted an on-officer video camera program earlier this year in the South Mountain and Cactus Park precincts. The task force was created in 2010 to improve police relations with the community through effective dialogue and partnerships.
Jocquese Blackwell and Julian Nabozny, two of the original task force members and current co-chairs of the Community Engagement and Outreach Implementation Team, applauded the department for pursuing the two-year grant.
“By using this grant to purchase wearable cameras, the Phoenix Police Department has solidified their commitment to ensure that it maintains its status as one of the best police departments in the country,” Blackwell said.
Nabozny said, “The utilization of the camera vividly crystallizes the encounter between the police officer and the civilian…It brings a higher level of professionalism from the law enforcement officer and makes the resident behave in a more responsible manner.”
I think we are on a trend where police officers will be required to have the cameras on whenever they are on duty, and the video will be stored indefinitely.
If the individual police officer controls the camera and video, there is a real possibility for abuse.
Always on and complete storage or it should not happen.
I have seen this coming for some time.
The time is near where every officer well have voice and video from start of shift to end of shift. Along with GPS tracking. All of transfered live to a central location.
Holy cow! That’s ten grand for each officer! Wonder where the money’s going. Mostly to Obama’s friends, huh?
So now Pheonix police will have no problem at all with citizens videotaping their encounters with them and broadcasting it live...
Right, figured nothing would change.
I’d like to see this taken one step further. Make all government employees wear this device.
Exactly. Cops wearing cameras is always celebrated by politicans who would never wear them. No mayor that im aware of has nuclear missiles. Why do they need secrecy?
Id like to see mayors and city counselors follow the same transparency requirements they want cops to follow.
A total waste of $500,000, at a time when we don’t have that kind of money to throw away!
It should be made clear in every jurisdiction that to videotape officers at ANY time when they are on duty in a public place is LEGAL.
Sooooo many times this is being abused —it should be a crime to claim it’s illegal.
It'd make for must watch tv.
"B*tch set me up! Again!!!"
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.