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TechDirt reports
Taser, the company, gets a lot of cop love because of its titular product, which is deployed (too) frequently to subdue arrestees. It probably doesn't get as much love for its body cameras, especially since it's already wired one line to sync footage with Taser deployment.
Its cameras are going to get even less love now. Taser's latest product looks to ensure no shooting goes unrecorded.
To ensure accountability during police encounters, Axon, Taser's police body camera division, has announced a small sensor for gun holsters that can detect when a gun is drawn and automatically activate all nearby cameras. The sensor, Signal Sidearm, is part of a suite of products aimed at reducing the possibility that officers will fail to or forget to switch on their cameras during encounters with the public.
This isn't a welcome development for cops who'd rather have every shooting/killing go unrecorded. And it's probably not going to be picked up by many departments as it's an aftermarket add-on that serves the singular purpose of accountability.
[...] Say what you will about Taser's taser, but its camera division (Axon) continues to make strides towards better law enforcement accountability. In addition to the gun-out, camera-on clip, Axon has also made body/dash cameras that begin recording when squad car doors are opened and/or the cruiser's lights are turned on.
(Score: 2) by tibman on Monday March 13 2017, @08:02PM (1 child)
You are wrong. This isn't supposed to be a reality tv show. It's supposed to show the moment a police officer attempts to kill someone. Context DOES NOT MATTER in this case because that is not what we are trying to record. If the camera shows someone standing there with their hands up and surrendering then the police officer just committed murder. If the camera shows someone running away then the police officer (probably) just committed murder. If the camera shows the police officer shooting at someone who has a gun then the shooting is (probably) justified. All the context stuff is the evidence collection and statements afterwards.
Pulling your gun on someone who "looks" violent is exactly the wrong attitude. You are saying that even when someone hasn't done anything violent, hasn't threatened anyone, and has zero visible weapons, you would threaten to kill them. You would be a bad cop. This camera system is designed to combat cops with your attitude. For example. Some drunk biker is being rude to you. He steps in to take a swing at you. Killing him is not the right answer. Tazer, baton, pepper spray, riot shotgun, or anything less than lethal is the correct answer. If you always drew your pistol then you'd end up killing someone who wasn't trying to kill you. They wanted to punch you, sure, but that is a crime you should be arresting them for.. not killing them.
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(Score: 2) by tangomargarine on Monday March 13 2017, @09:43PM
You two have both arrived at the conclusion that the better solution is to start recording as soon as the officer starts their shift.
"Is that really true?" "I just spent the last hour telling you to think for yourself! Didn't you hear anything I said?"