Re:Phone Cameras and Apps Help Speed Calls for Police Reform
by at-fates-hands on Thursday April 09, 2015 @12:22PM
(#9348709)
>>It's worth noting in that case you mentioned above it was mobile phone footage that led to him being charged, not a dash cam[3].
I do agree on your points, which are all well made.
Do you think he would have been charged had it not been for the civilian video? Or do you think it simply would've taken longer to charge him since they would have to get the video off his dash cam, review it, and then decide whether to take action.
Sure, it's no panacea.
But in San Diego:
Complaints have fallen 40.5% and use of "personal body" force by officers has been reduced by 46.5% and use of pepper spray by 30.5%, according to the report developed by the Police Department for the City Council's Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee.[1]
And the ACLU tends to think they are on the balance, positive[2].
I think Brin's argument would be that we've tried policing without cameras, maybe it is worth trying it with lots more cameras.
It's worth noting in that case you mentioned above it was mobile phone footage that led to him being charged, not a dash cam[3]. That's an argument for more cameras, controlled by civilians.
[1] http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-body-cameras-201...
[2] https://www.aclu.org/technology-and-liberty/police-body-moun...
[3] "the video, which was taken by a bystander" http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/08/us/south-carolina-officer-...