OFF THE WIRE
By Kevin Valine - kvaline@modbee.com
and Terry Collins - The Associated Press
Sgt. Garret Crawford hold the video recorder/viewer as the video camera on his collar is turned on. The Modesto Police Dept. are trying out three body
MODESTO -- For the past couple of weeks, the required gear for a handful of Modesto police officers has included more than handguns, handcuffs and bulletproof vests.
These officers also hit the street wearing tiny cameras.
The cameras, which can be attached to shirt lapels or small headsets, capture video and sound of everything, from a traffic stop and a hot vehicle pursuit to an unfolding violent crime.
These officers also hit the street wearing tiny cameras.
The cameras, which can be attached to shirt lapels or small headsets, capture video and sound of everything, from a traffic stop and a hot vehicle pursuit to an unfolding violent crime.
They provide a record of an officer's interactions with the public and are intended to provide more transparency and security to officers and to reduce the number of misconduct complaints and lawsuits. They can provide evidence and record statements from victims and suspects.
"First and foremost, it protects the officers, it protects the citizens, and it can help with an investigation and it shows what happened," said Steve Tidwell, executive director of the FBI National Academy Associates in Quantico, Va. "It can level the playing field, instead of getting just one or two versions. It's all there in living color, so to speak."
About a dozen Modesto officers have been testing body cameras from VIDMIC, VIEVU (Vee-view) and Taser International's AXON for about two weeks. Testing will continue for a few weeks.
"I liked it," said Sgt. Garret Crawford, who is overseeing the testing and tried an AXON. "It was comfortable and easy to use. After an hour of wearing it, I forgot it was on me."
Police Chief Mike Harden said he hopes to equip his approximately 125 patrol, gang and traffic officers with the cameras in six months.
He said his department recently was awarded a $127,000 grant, which it will use to buy the devices. Whether every officer gets a camera or officers share them depends on which model the department chooses and other factors.
The Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department also is looking at using body cameras. But Sheriff Adam Christianson said the proposal is in its very early stages, and he needs to find a way to pay for the cameras.
He said his department would need about $70,000 to equip its deputies and detectives with cameras.
"Our biggest hurdle is the fiscal challenge," he said. "There is not enough discretionary revenue."
The Oakdale Police Department bought two VIEVU cameras for $1,000 to $1,200 about two years ago for its traffic officers because they receive the most complaints, Police Chief Marty West said.
"Officers activate the camera when they exit their car or motorcycle and it begins recording," West said in an e-mail. "I've seen recordings and, surprisingly, they are of good audio and visual quality."
He said he would like all of his officers to have cameras, but that would be too expensive.
No other law enforcement agency in the county has body cameras, although the California Highway Patrol recently started outfitting its vehicles with cameras.
Hundreds of law enforcement agencies across the United States are equipping their officers with body cameras.
And the AXON cameras are co-stars in the new TruTV reality show, "Police POV," featuring footage captured by officers.
Law enforcement agencies using body cameras need to have clear and consistent objectives, said Michael Risher, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California.
"It can't be the case where they turn them on and off and record what they want to, because all objectivity will be lost," he said. "Otherwise, these cameras should greatly improve relations between the police and the community. If it's done right."
But Ceres Police Chief Art de Werk said he does not like turning to technology to vouch for an officer's honesty and integrity.
He said police officers have to pass rigorous background checks and maintain high ethical and moral standards. Part of their job is earning the good faith of those they protect and serve.
"This is all about trust," he said. "We have started migrating to technology to verify police officers' veracity. Instead of going to the cameras, I think we need to earn that trust and work hard for that."
Bee staff writer Kevin Valine can be reached at (209) 578-2316.
"First and foremost, it protects the officers, it protects the citizens, and it can help with an investigation and it shows what happened," said Steve Tidwell, executive director of the FBI National Academy Associates in Quantico, Va. "It can level the playing field, instead of getting just one or two versions. It's all there in living color, so to speak."
About a dozen Modesto officers have been testing body cameras from VIDMIC, VIEVU (Vee-view) and Taser International's AXON for about two weeks. Testing will continue for a few weeks.
"I liked it," said Sgt. Garret Crawford, who is overseeing the testing and tried an AXON. "It was comfortable and easy to use. After an hour of wearing it, I forgot it was on me."
Police Chief Mike Harden said he hopes to equip his approximately 125 patrol, gang and traffic officers with the cameras in six months.
He said his department recently was awarded a $127,000 grant, which it will use to buy the devices. Whether every officer gets a camera or officers share them depends on which model the department chooses and other factors.
The Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department also is looking at using body cameras. But Sheriff Adam Christianson said the proposal is in its very early stages, and he needs to find a way to pay for the cameras.
He said his department would need about $70,000 to equip its deputies and detectives with cameras.
"Our biggest hurdle is the fiscal challenge," he said. "There is not enough discretionary revenue."
The Oakdale Police Department bought two VIEVU cameras for $1,000 to $1,200 about two years ago for its traffic officers because they receive the most complaints, Police Chief Marty West said.
"Officers activate the camera when they exit their car or motorcycle and it begins recording," West said in an e-mail. "I've seen recordings and, surprisingly, they are of good audio and visual quality."
He said he would like all of his officers to have cameras, but that would be too expensive.
CHP trying something else
No other law enforcement agency in the county has body cameras, although the California Highway Patrol recently started outfitting its vehicles with cameras.
Hundreds of law enforcement agencies across the United States are equipping their officers with body cameras.
And the AXON cameras are co-stars in the new TruTV reality show, "Police POV," featuring footage captured by officers.
Law enforcement agencies using body cameras need to have clear and consistent objectives, said Michael Risher, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California.
"It can't be the case where they turn them on and off and record what they want to, because all objectivity will be lost," he said. "Otherwise, these cameras should greatly improve relations between the police and the community. If it's done right."
But Ceres Police Chief Art de Werk said he does not like turning to technology to vouch for an officer's honesty and integrity.
He said police officers have to pass rigorous background checks and maintain high ethical and moral standards. Part of their job is earning the good faith of those they protect and serve.
"This is all about trust," he said. "We have started migrating to technology to verify police officers' veracity. Instead of going to the cameras, I think we need to earn that trust and work hard for that."
Bee staff writer Kevin Valine can be reached at (209) 578-2316.
Read more: http://www.modbee.com/2011/07/17/1779119/tiny-body-cameras-tested-by-police.html#ixzz1SW2Qcbnv