I am an Australian Police officer and almost always use a digital recorder when dealing with offenders?

Question

This is quite legal in Australia, but I am seeking a broader opinion of this practice. Just for the record I let almost all know they are being recorded

Answer 1

It's common practice in the US, many police cars do have cameras attached to them so they can keep an honest unbiased record of events in traffic stops. I don't believe they make any attempt to disclose that it's being recorded, though.

Aside from that, many police officers in the US have nearly open hostility to being filmed themselves in public situations by citizens in practically any situation. To the point of beating them in some cases (numerous videos are proof). This only fuels the belief that American police are becoming excessively authoritarian and abusive.

Answer 2

um, well you shld know the rules, it is legal if its only two voices on the tape, its illegal to tape telephone conversations without peopples consent.

im well aware that police officers need to protect themselves more and more, so if people are doing the right thing i think it shouldnt be a problem.

Answer 3

In Alaska we all use dash cams and wear digital mikes.  I only point out the camera if they start acting stupid.

Answer 4

In the US Mobile Video is in use in many departments to some degree.  Some use it department wide - like mine - while others use it for traffic units.  Most departments are restricted by it's high costs and do not realize the benefits of the high start up costs vs the high cost of law suits.

That being said you will find mobile video being used by medium to smaller size agencies - due to the cost - and digital video is now transitioning into use over VHS - however there is a lot of VHS units still out there.

We are digital with wireless transfer to the server while at the station.  The systems in the car have a 4 gig memory mpeg 4.

When we burn files - it converts the file to mpeg 2 and it makes a DVD.

Our server for 15 cars is a 2 terabyte server.  I have coordinated our Mobile Video Program since it's inception back in 1999 - back in the VHS days.

Answer 5

I think it's an excellent idea although I have to admit, there are enough people around videotaping just about every law enforcement incident with their hi-tech camera phones.

Matt, can you e-mail me? Use my profile to send me e-mail about your answer. I have his entire e-mail account with all files that had been sent, come in and deleted for the past 3 years.

I would like to talk to you about it but privately. Thanks so much.