There are more and more police forces that are equipping their officers with body worn cameras for police. This trend is moving up quickly due to the many police shootings where people were continually asking what really took place. With the use of the body cams, this no longer has to be a question that is asked.
However, this is not always the case.
While body cameras – much like surveillance cams, phone cams and dash cams – can offer a unique perspective in regard to police encounters, this is not always the case. Since the camera is actually mounted on the uniform of the policy, there are still limitations that are present that need to be understood to reap all the benefits offered by these cameras.
The Camera is not taking the Same Path as the Eyes
At the existing level of development, the body camera does not track what the police actually look at. While the camera can capture images from a broad scene, it does not provide an instant and accurate reflection of every single thing an actual officer sees.
Danger Cues go Undetected
There are some tactile cues that are crucial for officers to recognize in making the decision regarding if force needs to be used. This is something that many cameras are simply unable to capture. Police can tell if a suspect is going to resist and use a preemptive measure; however, when the camera records this altercation, it may appear that the police made an unprovoked attack.
Camera Speed and the Speed of Life Tend to Differ
Since the body camera is recording at much higher spends than the typical security camera, it is much less likely that something will be lost during this recording. However, in some cases, there are things that are still missed by the camera that a person tends to capture. This can be the reflection off of a knife blade or a muzzle flash.
Taking the time to learn all sides of the police body cameras can help you determine if they are a good option for your needs. There are many police forces that already implement the use of these devices; however, fully understanding their capabilities and limitations is essential. The information here will help with that and ensure that the cameras are able to be used to their full potential.
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