Pixiq

TASER seems to produce technology which is quite useful in a law-enforcement capacity. It's good for something to be between verbal warnings and shooting them in the force continuum, besides clunking them in the head with a baton. Which doesn't always work. If a crackhead is running at you or a defenseless victim, make him "ride the lightning".

However, it is up to the officers to use the technology properly. More training in use-of-force is needed for cops, period. We can't have uniformed brutes running around, zapping people left and right at random. We could demand more education of our LEOs, but that would initially lead to a severe manpower shortage, or a huge expense to bring current LEOs up to speed that may not make the grade.

And yeah, TASER is totally milking people with the monthly fee. I'd do the standard model of buying the hardware, and providing tech support on either a subscription model or per-incident model. Like many other tech companies do.

The immediate resolution is to have the devices locked out until they are docked. It leaves the cradle, recording is on. Back in the dock? Off. Flash memory is cheap enough to record a 12-hour shift at 720p. Especially if you're paying $1800. Of course, the officer can take off the device when he or she is up to no good.

So, let's go do a third party test to see if they actually do turn these cameras on.

I see this more as a tool for officers to use against civilians (as evidence) and to protect officers (from false allegations) than something to be used to keep officers in line.

I agree. This is a sick joke at the expense of the taxpayers. With that kind of price gouging you’d think Taser International was the only company that makes cameras. OF COURSE they just had to purchase their equipment from the same company that manufactures their torture toys. San Jose cops can still lie and abuse people on a whim; all they have to say is they “forgot” to turn their camera on.

It protects both citizen and LEO if it is “on” the entire shift. It will keep down false allegations from either side, but only if it is on at all times.

However, if you were an employee of a company, would you like to have every action recorded? Restroom? Dining? Banter with fellow employees?. So a middle ground needs to be reached and maintained. I leave it to the more tech-savvy as to how the device could be activated to record all interactions.

[...] TECHNOLOGY WAR: San Jose police to test out new head-mounted cameras Good idea, but bad implementation. If cops can turn these devices off, you can bet they will. [...]

[...] TECHNOLOGY WAR: San Jose police to test out new head-mounted cameras Good idea, but bad implementation. If cops can turn these devices off, you can bet they will. [...]

Sorry, there’s a world of difference between being a cubicle drone and a police officer. A cubicle drone can’t kill you outright because you looked at him wrong and get away with it.

As far as I’m concerned, if you want the awesome power of the badge, you give up your right to privacy while on the clock. You want to be off the clock, you lock up the badge and the gun, then and only then can you have privacy.

The monthly cost is for storage. Videos are HUGE, even from shaky head mounted cameras. The 1,700 probably ensures that the devices will always work and probably includes insurance in case of damage (like the old toughbooks had… shotgun damage to your laptop in the police car? no problemo! replaced!)

Carlos, in regards to your question about how long the data is stored; generally, compliance archiving is for a year, but government and financial agencies and institutions have to keep data much longer. The company i last worked for had compliance archiving of email indefinitely and call recording for a year, for instance. And 4 million dollars is a drop in the hat for a police agency if they are convinced it will help their cause rather than damage it.

However, i believe this will damage their cause, much like the new dashboard cams that constantly "record" but only commit to memory when asked… BUT they commit 30-60 seconds or more PRIOR to being "switched on" perfect for recording that illegal activity but also, fortunately, recording instances of police abuse with tasers and other weapons.

TECHNOLOGY is very important and i really think that it’s a good idea to have mounted cameras in the san jose police. it would also be cool if the goverment would give the money for this new project. they need to get more officer with this new cameras. there would probebly be less lays about what the police soposably do.