PapaBear
11-22-2006, 05:14 AM
Los Angeles Cruisers To Get Video Cameras To Monitor Arrests
Updated: November 21st, 2006 11:36 AM PDT
The Associated Press
The Los Angeles Police Department will begin installing digital video cameras in some patrol cars to better track how arrests are made - an important issue after two amateur videos recently surfaced showing officers' questionable tactics.
The City Council on Monday approved $5 million (euro3.9 million) for the first cameras, which will be placed in patrol cars starting next week. Officials hope to install cameras in all cars over the next three years.
LAPD Inspector General Andre Birotte Jr. said the cameras would help hold the department accountable and clear officers of unfounded allegations.
"For that small percentage of officers that want to go on a wayward path, we would hope that those videos would help put them back on track," he said. "For those officers doing the right thing, if they are accused of misconduct and the video shows otherwise, you have it on tape."
Footage recently posted on the video sharing Web site YouTube.com showed the August arrest of an alleged gang member. In one video, two officers can be seen holding him down as one punches him several times in the face.
The other video showed an officer using pepper spray on a handcuffed suspect.
The officers were cleared of wrongdoing in both cases, though an administrative review is ongoing in the first case.
http://www.officer.com/article/article.jsp?id=33654&siteSection=1
Updated: November 21st, 2006 11:36 AM PDT
The Associated Press
The Los Angeles Police Department will begin installing digital video cameras in some patrol cars to better track how arrests are made - an important issue after two amateur videos recently surfaced showing officers' questionable tactics.
The City Council on Monday approved $5 million (euro3.9 million) for the first cameras, which will be placed in patrol cars starting next week. Officials hope to install cameras in all cars over the next three years.
LAPD Inspector General Andre Birotte Jr. said the cameras would help hold the department accountable and clear officers of unfounded allegations.
"For that small percentage of officers that want to go on a wayward path, we would hope that those videos would help put them back on track," he said. "For those officers doing the right thing, if they are accused of misconduct and the video shows otherwise, you have it on tape."
Footage recently posted on the video sharing Web site YouTube.com showed the August arrest of an alleged gang member. In one video, two officers can be seen holding him down as one punches him several times in the face.
The other video showed an officer using pepper spray on a handcuffed suspect.
The officers were cleared of wrongdoing in both cases, though an administrative review is ongoing in the first case.
http://www.officer.com/article/article.jsp?id=33654&siteSection=1