Police Body Cameras
With technology and media rapidly gaining popularity in society, law enforcement has received the short end of the stick. With every move of a police officer, there is always a cell phone recording in the distance of the occurrence of events. Within the time period of 2 minutes that video can easily be uploaded for the world to see, whether it is pro-police or criticising police for how they are carrying out their duty. Unfortunately, there is plenty of bias and ignorance in these criticisms. Officers in the Primary Response Units at 43 and 55 Divisions, Traffic Services and TAVIS Rapid Response Teams, approximately 100 officers, have begun testing three pieces of equipment, as part of Toronto Police Service 's body-worn camera pilot project. This pilot project will be in place for one year, after the completion, Toronto Police …show more content…
With an expensive price tag to implement these devices some smaller municipal services may be unable to afford to bring this type of technology into their everyday patrol. Some officers and civilians may argue that the cameras that are recording are infringing on privacy rights. When dealing with victims of particularly damaging crimes, this could make victims feel even more victimized by making them relive and explain how the crime progressed and have this available for others to examine. Technological issues could develop a reliability argument of if the technological issue was legitimate or not to cover up discreditable behaviour in that specific case. With considering both the pros and cons of law enforcement implementing body cameras, it is evident that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. With carrying out the implementation of body cameras, there will be improved lines of communication, police perception, and restored trust between the public and law
With technology and media rapidly gaining popularity in society, law enforcement has received the short end of the stick. With every move of a police officer, there is always a cell phone recording in the distance of the occurrence of events. Within the time period of 2 minutes that video can easily be uploaded for the world to see, whether it is pro-police or criticising police for how they are carrying out their duty. Unfortunately, there is plenty of bias and ignorance in these criticisms. Officers in the Primary Response Units at 43 and 55 Divisions, Traffic Services and TAVIS Rapid Response Teams, approximately 100 officers, have begun testing three pieces of equipment, as part of Toronto Police Service 's body-worn camera pilot project. This pilot project will be in place for one year, after the completion, Toronto Police …show more content…
With an expensive price tag to implement these devices some smaller municipal services may be unable to afford to bring this type of technology into their everyday patrol. Some officers and civilians may argue that the cameras that are recording are infringing on privacy rights. When dealing with victims of particularly damaging crimes, this could make victims feel even more victimized by making them relive and explain how the crime progressed and have this available for others to examine. Technological issues could develop a reliability argument of if the technological issue was legitimate or not to cover up discreditable behaviour in that specific case. With considering both the pros and cons of law enforcement implementing body cameras, it is evident that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. With carrying out the implementation of body cameras, there will be improved lines of communication, police perception, and restored trust between the public and law