Police video cameras serve to protect the rights of both the officer and the civilian.
An increase in police video cameras came into use as a result of lawsuits filed by citizens who alleged race-related traffic stops, many of which occurred in the 1990s. State police executives sought out a way to curtail biased behavior by their officers, and soon distribution of dash-mounted video cameras began in earnest. Although the placement of police video cameras has received an overwhelming positive response from police agencies and the public, there exists some drawbacks to the system that impact their function and application.
Availability
The In-Car Camera Incentive Program, implemented by the Community Oriented Policing Services, run by the Department of Justice, has provided financial assistance to highway patrol and state police agencies. The first federal funding appeared in 2000 and continued to the end of 2003. Although the $21 million provided a great start for the program, there remains approximately 28 percent of highway patrol and state police agencies today that are not equipped with camera units in their vehicles, and must wait their turn for funding. The number of camera units increases daily, but availability and funding remain an issue.
Camera Awareness
A limited number of officers reported that the camera distracted them, making them self-aware of its presence. This behavior pulled their attention away from the violator, as the officers sometimes thought more about the camera position than their duties. It must be stated that these officers were found to have minimal training in the function and application of the cameras.
Dependence
Some troopers have reported an increasing dependence on the video recording equipment. Instead of documenting evidence in information and written reports, the officers relied too heavily on the video recordings, and used playbacks to write their initial reports. Problems arise when officers depend too heavily on video cameras, which should be used to supplement and enhance their written reports and not serve as the primary means of documentation. Note-taking and report-writing declined in some cases.
Technological Considerations
The new wireless video data recording systems allow for compact storage, such as on compact discs (CDs), digital storage devices, flash drives and universal storage drive units. Although wireless video cameras and storage devices are currently being manufactured and installed in some police agency vehicles, a large percentage of videocassette (analog) models still exist, which prove to be cumbersome in removal and storage of data. Videocassette-type cameras can be tampered with, due to the physicality of their tape components. The older analog camera devices have to be viewed manually by officers, which takes time and effort to find specific traffic stops and incidents.
Line of Sight
Police video cameras most commonly mount on the dashboard inside the vehicle, with the exception of a few newer digital units that can mount on the roof. A problem exists with their forward-facing mounting and field of view. Officers sometimes have to deliberately position the driver of a traffic stop, or pedestrian suspect, directly in front of the vehicle for optimum recording coverage. Not all suspects or detainees remain stationary or civil. Sometimes crucial evidence is lost when the suspect or detainee disappears from the field of view, as happens in a scuffle, evasion, or sudden foot pursuit. Camera position does not often record the entire events within an arrest perimeter.
Wireless Surveillance Cameras
Wireless surveillance cameras, which are placed throughout the city in high crime areas, have gained popularity with police departments. These units use a high compression ratio, which means they fill up hard disks much faster than cable surveillance cameras --- a disadvantage for data storage. Wireless cameras, because of their of their air-wave broadcast features, are susceptible to jamming if the frequency is discovered. This blocking and scrabbling of the signal alters the monitor image, sometimes obliterating it completely. Obstructions, such as cars and buildings, can block the camera's view of a perpetrator during the commission of a crime.
Camera Privacy Issues
Many proponents have spoken out about the issues of privacy related to fixed law-enforcement surveillance cameras. Surveillance abuse, as cited by the ACLU, can come in the forms of voyeurism, abuse for personal purposes, institutional abuse and discriminatory targeting. The possibility exists that the cameras can be misused for the purpose of stalking individuals, targeting people of color and other issues dealing with personal freedom rights.
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