Big Brother’s New Eyes
August 20th, 2008 Posted in Digital Litigation Solutions, Legal Videography, Legalsized Blog, Trial Consultants, Trial Graphics, Video Settlement Brochure, Video Site Inspections, Videotaping DepositionsWhat’s the first reality show you can recall watching? While MTV’s The Real World and CBS’s Survivor are common responses, your answer should have been COPS. Still running today, COPS has been entertaining millions since March 11th, 1989. It takes more than 400 hours of video recording to create a single 22-minute episode of COPS.
For the most part, that very same footage is admissible evidence, and the use of video by police has only increased as its value is continually being reaffirmed by court rulings across the country. In 2008, you can almost guarantee that every police vehicle is video capable, and in most cases the camera is activated in conjunction with the lights/sirens. What’s next?
Taser International (best known for non-lethal weapons, i.e. stun guns), has completed development of the Axon portable video system; complete with this tagline: “Protect Truth.” As you can see from the picture, Axon allows police to take the power of video recording outside of their vehicle. The long arm of the law can now see with a digital eye. Move over dash cam!
As far as I see it, the Axon system serves 2 purposes. It eliminates the “he-said-she said” element from most routine police-civilian confrontations. On the other hand, police will have to be incredibly careful when dealing with potential human rights violations (think Rodney King). With great power comes great responsibility, stay tuned…
6 Responses to “Big Brother’s New Eyes”
By Scott Biggio on Aug 20, 2008
I personally think the police dash cameras have been a great tool. I can’t see a downside to this technology accept that I didn’t develop it first…
By KRONiS on Aug 20, 2008
Don’t Taze me Bro!
I love COPS
By LA on Aug 20, 2008
whatta gonna do when they come for you. I would like to view the quality of the video and how well it is illustrated on a descent to large size monitors/tv. Does this technology really capture all the pertinent information that eliminates the “he said/she said” factor? What if the camera is not positioned correctly on the head unit and only captures some of the admissible evidence?
By Alle on Aug 20, 2008
This should be a great tool, as there are always three sides to every instance, each parties and then the truth, or in this case, the video footage…
By Bud Colburn on Aug 21, 2008
Cops s a good illustration of how video can e used in a positive manner. It appears to be accepted more and more in the name of justice.
By Jerry Stelle on Aug 21, 2008
I guess the next step is to provide audio reception, especially for “he said, she said”
confrontations.