Bainbridge police officers wearing $1000 cameras in the center of their chests

**Jenna** · 04-11-11, 10:00 PM

Police officers on Bainbridge Island now have a third eye watching and documenting their encounters with the public.
Joining the badge, gun, radio and Taser is a small black box, secured snugly to the center of the chest. It's a camera created by a Seattle company that records any interaction they have on the beat.
"When a police officer goes out to any scene, there's always two sides of the story," said Bainbridge Island Police Cmdr. Sue Shultz. "But if you take the video, it becomes an unbiased witness that can testify to what happened during the contact."
Four officers have been outfitted with the cameras, which cost about $1,000 apiece.
The camera could provide valuable evidence in a case. It also offers an objective version of events in controversial incident, whether it's an officer-involved shooting or an accusation leveled against an officer.

More here: Local News | Bainbridge police officers wearing cameras | Seattle Times Newspaper

Bainbridge Island police officers now wear cameras | KING5.com | Seattle Area Local News

**jmur5074** · 04-11-11, 10:22 PM

Apparently the Police Commander thinks her officers are biased in performing their duties, as they need an "unbiased" camera with them at all times.

**MacLean** · 04-11-11, 11:14 PM

Copycats.

Morris pioneered that program for my department.

**armygrnt502** · 04-12-11, 12:20 AM

I have a lapel camera for mine, its small, downloadable via cable to computer and costs only 1/4 of that. Guess they got the waterproof, thug proof and dummy proof ones.

**Jks9199** · 04-12-11, 09:29 AM

I predict that, by the end of many members's careers, we'll all be wearing cameras in uniform. I've got mixed feelings; it's already getting to the point that the courts and public question a cop's word about what happened without a camera -- but there have been a lot of cops saved from bogus complaints by recorders, too.

**Pudge** · 04-12-11, 11:31 AM

We tested that same camera before going to our much smaller camera.

I'm sure the VieVu is more durable than ours, but I didn't like the size of it, and the door that opens to expose the lens and start recording was very easy to accidentally open. The first while I wore it, more than half of my video was of the steering wheel after adjusting my seat belt.

**Xiphos** · 04-12-11, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by Jenna

"But if you take the video, it becomes an unbiased witness that can testify to what happened during the contact."

What happens when you turn your head and look at something that's not right in front of you?

**Pudge** · 04-12-11, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by Xiphos

What happens when you turn your head and look at something that's not right in front of you?

This.

My Chief and Captain have both told me that they can't see the people I'm talking to on video. My shot is always somewhat high and right of the subject I'm talking to. Of course, when I'm standing with my body bladed, it causes the camera to not get a full on shot.

My job is to go home safe, not be a good camera man.

**MacLean** · 04-12-11, 04:01 PM

Force Science camera instruction:

VIDEO ADVISORY

You are about to view a camera recording of a use-of-force event. Understand that while
this recording depicts visual information from the scene, the human eye and brain are
highly likely to perceive some things in stressful situations differently than a camera
records them, so this photographic record may not reflect how the involved officer
actually perceived the event.
The recording may depict things that the officer did not see or hear. The officer may have
seen or heard things that were not recorded by the camera. Depending on the speed of the
camera, some action elements may not have been recorded or may have happened faster
than the officer could perceive and absorb them. The camera has captured a 2-
dimensional image, which may be different from an officer’s 3-dimensional observations.
Lighting and angles may also have contributed to different perceptions. And, of course,
the camera did not view the scene with the officer’s unique experience and training.
Hopefully, this recording will enhance your understanding of the incident. Keep in mind,
though, that these video images are only one piece of evidence to be considered in
reconstructing and evaluating the totality of the circumstances. Some elements may
require further exploration and explanation before the investigation is concluded.

Provided by:
The Force Science Institute
Force Science® Institute, Ltd.

**gopherpuckfan** · 04-12-11, 07:51 PM

Our Community Service Officers are already wearing those. It's saved a few of them from complaints. They turn them on when they have an interaction with a driver that doesn't want to move their car on the terminal roadways.

**lewisipso** · 04-13-11, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by Jks9199

I predict that, by the end of many members's careers, we'll all be wearing cameras in uniform.

Won't wear one. Being forced to wear one will be the end of my career. The powers that be rely entirely to much on camera's. "Officer your account of what happened must skewed since I cannot see what you say happened on the video."
No thanks. I'll pass.

**pgg** · 04-13-11, 06:30 PM

I saw this on the news the other night and to give the commander some credit she did say that she hopes it'll discourage people from filing false complaints against the officers.

**Xiphos** · 04-13-11, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by pgg

I saw this on the news the other night and to give the commander some credit she did say that she hopes it'll discourage people from filing false complaints against the officers.

The only thing that will inhibit false complaints is to use the damn cameras to prosecute people falsely reporting.

**MacLean** · 04-13-11, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by Xiphos

The only thing that will inhibit false complaints is to use the damn cameras to prosecute people falsely reporting.

We have already used this exact camera system to handle complaints.

"I want to make a complaint that officer treated me bad!"

"We have the whole contact on tape."

Silence....

**Jenna** · 04-14-11, 05:11 PM

One of these days there will be a reality TV show using videos from these cameras....

**Pudge** · 04-14-11, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by Jenna

One of these days there will be a reality TV show using videos from these cameras....

Unless I missed an inside joke elsewhere, you don't know how right you are.

Introducing, "Police POV" airing 4/17/2011 on Tru Tv:

Police POV on truTV

**Jenna** · 04-15-11, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by Pudge

Unless I missed an inside joke elsewhere, you don't know how right you are.

Introducing, "Police POV" airing 4/17/2011 on Tru Tv:

Police POV on truTV

I didn't know about that show! And I thought I was just making a joke.

Reality is stranger than my jokes!