Do you think it fair and constitutional to make police officers wear audio/video

1. 58

   Jay Barbanposted 10 years ago

   Do you think it fair and constitutional to make police officers wear audio/video recording devices?
   
   

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2. 92

   lisavollrathposted 10 years ago

   Yes, and yes. I think it's the only way to keep interactions between the police and the public from becoming he said/she said. Since there is no expectation of privacy in public, and the police officers are wearing badges and uniforms, I can't see the legal argument against it.

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   1. 58

      Jay Barbanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I agree and now that the tecnology is allowing it to happen I think it's a great idea. However conversations sake what about the privacy of the officer? His general conversations with coworkers or say they receive a personal phone call.

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      christiananrkistposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      the likely hood is that they only turn it on during interaction with the public. if not, then that kind of sucks for them

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   3. 92

      lisavollrathposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      There can be no expectation of privacy if you're working in a public position. I don't see how this is any different than having keystroke loggers on work computers.

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      christiananrkistposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      i agree. certain jobs come with certain expectations of the employee. honestly i dont think its a big deal. they already have cams in the cars. and many cops say they are useful for training.

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   christiananrkistposted 10 years ago

   honestly i dont see how it would be unfair in any way. what exactly would be unfair about it?

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   1. 58

      Jay Barbanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Well think of it this way, if your employer made it mandatory that you wear a video camera on you at all times how do you think you would feel? Consider the pro's and con's.  There are definitely a lot of Pro's but where does it stop.

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      christiananrkistposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      its ultimately up to the employer. if you dont like it, look for another job. it really is a pro's and con's thing. how much does it bother you as an employee. no one is being forced to be a cop.

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      Robert the Bruceposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      The difference obviously between an employee of a company and a police officer is that the PO is given authority over basically everyone he meets during the day. With this authority come a responsibility to uphold the law.

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      stclairjackposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      every day, when I clock in, there are cameras on me, with the exception of bathrooms and perhaps 1-2 other locations, I know that I am on video at all times,.... its never bothered me.

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4. 53

   thelittlesmichposted 10 years ago

   We look at this from a point of view as the society horrified of Police Brutality, but is this idea not also a public display of what could be classified as privacy. I do not disagree with this idea, however I do not quite agree with it. Like I said its all on the point of view.

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5. 74

   stclairjackposted 10 years ago

   the "badge cam" or what ever you wish to call it is just as much a defense mechanism for cops as it s the public,... if i were an officer on the street id happily wear one, certainly i would shut it off while at lunch, while using the restroom, or answering a personal phone call,... but just as you learn to instinctively check your gear, and turn on your radio, call in on duty etc,.. you turn on your camera,.... imagine if we had footage from a camera like this in the Ferguson case,... one way or the other the story would be told,... nuff said yes?

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6. 92

   peeplesposted 10 years ago

   I think it is brilliant. After all, if they are not doing anything wrong, they shouldn't have anything wrong with it. It serves good for both the officers and the public.
   I don't mean to sound rude, but they choose this field of work, just as soldiers choose to be soldiers. They choose to put every moment of their work day on display of public scrutiny, so why not have something to back them up so they don't get accused of wrong doing?
   I'd go a step further and say other professions need to have the same thing. Teachers would be a good start, paramedics, politicians, and any other public service type employees.
   There is no privacy at work. As long as they can remove it while using the restroom, that's the only privacy an employee should have while on the clock.

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   RTalloniposted 10 years ago

   Am a little divided on the issue because even recorded events can be twisted and used against police officers and/or innocent citizens.  However, considering the times we live in, if I knew police officers and they were of high character with a good record, and they voted yes on the issue I would go with their choice.  Things that happened before the recording began, or that are out of range of the recording play into situations in ways that cannot be detected after the fact.  Life is not cut and dry in a vacuum, but quite complex, and sometimes police officers have to make the best decision they can based on the information they have at the moment.

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      Jay Barbanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with you I feel it is easy for a citizen to say yes to this however we are lacking intimate knowledge of the job and the pro's and con's they face.  Also what about civilians privacy. What if you do something embarrasing and its now on camera

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   Robert the Bruceposted 10 years ago

   Yes, it is fair and as far as I know this kind of thing would not be a constitutional issue, but rather something left to the individual states and local governments to decide. Police officers volunteered for the job and should accept the responsibility to uphold the law. Sadly, many instances of police brutality and utter disregard for the law have occurred and probably will continue as governments gain more power. Recording the interactions between officer and citizen will help to "level the playing field" in the legal system.

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      christiananrkistposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      i agree. this isnt really much different than taco bell putting cam up in the restaurant.

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9. 61

   cjhunsingerposted 10 years ago

   Jay
   
   This has nothing to do with the Constitution and, as a former Police Officer, I would have no objections; I would welcome it. This, however, is a prelude to more to come. Some questions though: How about the FBI, Secret Service and the many other Federal and State police agencies? Are such exempt and why should they be? Do we now install  or embed cameras on paroles or suspected criminals or to those who  may provide a risk? Do we install cameras on children to protect them? At what point are cameras installed  on  all citizens, for the common good. We have banned and vilified smokers for the common good, forced handicapped parking spaces for the common good. The list here is a long one and when the 'Common Good' is the objective how can any good citizen object. If he does, perhaps, it is he who is hiding something and should be investigated or scrutinized much like the IRS with the right wing groups. Be careful what you want for others to protect you, as others may deem you the threat.

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   1. 59

      Robert the Bruceposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Good points. It's always wise to find out where an action will lead.

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   2. 58

      Jay Barbanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Great answer! I though this would be an interesting top for discussion for I am pro camera for many reasons. Recently got accepted to the RCMP and will be leaving for training in a few months. I thought it would be good to hear different opinions.

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      cjhunsingerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Jay
      Good luck. A difficult academy.

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10. 69

    Angela Kendrickposted 9 years ago

    Because police officers are public servants, there is no constitutional right that is implicated.  Police officers do not have an expectation of privacy while acting within their official capacities.  Everything that a police officer does while acting in his/her official capacity is a matter of public record and accessible to all citizens via the Freedom of Information Act.  They definitely SHOULD wear audio/video recording devices to ensure that every citizen's constitutional rights, life, and liberty are protected.

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