BUDGET PREVENTS WIDESPREAD USE OF CAMERAS IN LAPD.

Byline: Phillip W. Browne and Ryan Oliver Staff Writers

After more than a decade of delays and equipment failures, the LAPD has installed video cameras in all of its patrol cars in the Rampart Division, but a citywide rollout of the program remains stalled by budget constraints.

The cameras have been successful in collecting evidence, keeping officers honest and resolving disputes between police and residents. But it would cost nearly $4.5 million to outfit the remaining 1,400 squad cars with the devices - money the department just doesn't have.

``In the big scheme of things, funding personnel is more important than funding the cameras because we need more officers on the streets,'' said Sgt. Vito Palazzolo with the Los Angeles Police Department's Planning Research Division who is heading up the camera project.

``But we have seen over and over again the great benefits of having the cameras.''

The video cameras were recommended by the Christopher Commission that investigated the LAPD following the beating of motorist Rodney King in 1991. The panel said that in addition to the investigative benefits, the cameras would save millions of dollars in court costs, litigation and officer misconduct claims.

Officers in the Rampart Division agree, saying the cameras have been extremely valuable.

``If I've got a knucklehead in the back seat beating himself up in order to claim the cops roughed him up, I can point (the camera) at him,'' said Sgt. Derek O'Donnell, who recently demonstrated the device in his patrol car.

Officer Joel Miller said after reviewing the video of a recent pursuit, he suspected that two small sparks seen on the asphalt was the suspect throwing an object out the window - something they otherwise would not have noticed.

Several officers were sent to search the roadside.

``Sure enough, another unit found a handgun,'' he said. ``The suspect can say it's not his, but at least we have a videotape of him coming onto the freeway and throwing it out of the car.''

LAPD officials say the cameras are critical, but lament the fact that budget pressures are preventing them from installing the devices citywide.

``The cameras serve a multitude of missions,'' said Deputy Chief George Gascon. ``They're a good way of documenting contact between officers and citizens and can be used to facilitate any follow-up investigation.''

Though many departments have used patrol-car cameras for years, the department became discouraged when a 1993 pilot project ended in failure. Of the 36 video cameras initially installed, fewer than 30 of them were actually working at any one time, and the cameras' manufacturer went out of business.

``The technology wasn't there at the time,'' Gascon said. ``The equipment was very fragile.''

In 1999, then-Chief Bernard Parks declared car cameras a priority and said every patrol car would be outfitted by 2002 - another deadline that was missed.

The cameras installed this year in Rampart Division's 66 patrol cars were funded by a $250,000 federal grant. They are far more robust and compact than their predecessors, and deliver a smooth video feed that officers view from an LCD monitor.

The cameras begins recording when officers activate them or when their emergency lights are activated.

The sound and images are stored on a VHS tape. The tape is removed and stored after every shift.

LAPD Cmdr. Michel Moore said because the department is required to store the tapes for 18 months to two years, the current VHS-based system is unlikely to be the department standard. A digital system, which is being tested in one squad car in North Hollywood, will cost more to install but will save money in time and storage space.

Moore said despite the fact that funding is not available, the tests are important to help the department learn the gear and protocols for when the money becomes available.

Bob Baker, president of the Police Protective League, said he's glad the city has come this far on the camera issue, but said it has taken too long and that the department needs to make it more of a priority.

``We're disappointed we can't get the technology department-wide that other departments already use, especially since LAPD is involved in the consent decree,'' Baker said. ``We think they protect our officers and the community.''

Phillip W. Browne, [phone]

phillip.browne(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Los Angeles police Sgt. Derek O'Donnell of the Rampart Division has a video camera mounted in his patrol car.

(2) The cameras in Rampart's LAPD cars are activated either manually by the officer or automatically when emergency lights are switched on, and record on a VHS tape.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer