Topic: POLICE REPORT - on February 20, 2012 at 4:31:00 PM CET
Grant funding for body-worn cameras
Body-Worn Cameras: They are small, powerful, silent partners and their use is growing all over the country. The technology for this small but vital tool for law enforcement has become a favorite in many police departments. While departments have been using the in-car cameras for years, in the current economy their cost has become a viable tool to maintain the crime-fighting effectiveness of video for a much smaller price. These small cameras range from $70 to $900, which is a much more palatable cost for cash-strapped departments.
According to the fall issue of TechBeat published by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center, proponents of body-worn video cameras say they can increase transparency of operations and reduce litigation while resulting in cost-savings for departments driven by financial concerns. Officer-worn cameras provide advantages similar to in-car cameras, including protecting officers from false accusations, collecting evidence for trial and improving community relations. The difference is the body-worn cameras can go wherever the patrol officer goes: when he steps away from the patrol car, such as into an apartment building or a house, they record what the officer sees and hears. Detectives can use the cameras for field interviews and victim interviews.
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