When is a police car camera running?

Question

I heard it was only when their lights are flashing, but am curious if they are always on or only at specific times?

Answer 1

it should be on at all times for highway patrol cars, and such, don't understand why not... but it could be on only when they do traffic stops.

Answer 2

They turn on when an officer cars speed goes over 90mph

When they make a traffic stop

or when the click REc on their computers

Answer 3

its on all the time. it checking traffic and there speeds and records  

Answer 4

When the cop turns it on...

Answer 5

All police cameras come on when the lights come on.  Some systems allow the officer to manually stop the recording.  New digital systems also have the ability to record 30 to 60 seconds prior to the lights coming on.  Unless the officer turns the camera off or the vehicle does not have a camera, when the lights are on, it's showtime.

Answer 6

Depends on the department and the system they run.

Answer 7

they are on at all times ..  

Answer 8

I couldn't tell you, I'd say that they are on when they are after someone not like if there lights are on.. ask the cop station if your concerned about it.

Answer 9

they turn them on i think  

Answer 10

Police Mobile Video operation depends on the generation of system.

Older VHS analogue units operated usually by one of a few means.

1. When the light bar is activated.

2. When the officer activates his microphone on the belt

Digital Systems are a bit different and do vary some from manufacturer to manufacturer.

1.  When light bar is on

2.  When Microphone is tunred on

Some additional options -

Some can activate when door of patrol car is opened

Some departments mandate video run all shift - a waste

My departments digital systems have a continious running 1 minute pre record loop - so any file made has 1 minute of video attached in the begining - prior to activation - and 30 seconds after the video is turned off video is added.