CAMERAS ON COP CARS WOULD BE INVALUABLE.Byline: Sunil Dutta Sunil Dutta is an author, social activist, scholar of music and poetry. He was a scientist before he decided to join the police. He is a scholar of Urdu mystical poetry and an Indian classical music form called Dhrupad. Dutta was born and raised in Jaipur, India. Local View ALTHOUGH a plan to put video cameras in all Los Angles Police Department patrol cars would cost an estimated $25 million, it would be worth every penny. The returns would be incalculable in reduced city liability, transparency, enhanced police-community relations and a great boost in morale for officers. That, in turn, would lead to higher productivity, fewer complaints and a better working environment. Those who call the idea expensive are missing the forest for the trees Forest for the Trees was the brainchild of Carl Stephenson, an eclectic producer known for his work with Beck. Difficult to classify, Forest for the Trees is probably best described as experimental psychedelic trip-hop. . During the last decade, the city has paid almost $100 million in legal settlements in civil cases involving police misconduct. The allegations of abuse that fuel these lawsuits could be ended by ensuring that all LAPD 1. LAPD - Link Access Procedure on the D channel. 2. LAPD - Los Angeles Police Department. contacts with citizens be recorded, including all traffic stops. In the current policing climate - in which officers are wary of being falsely accused of racial profiling The consideration of race, ethnicity, or national origin by an officer of the law in deciding when and how to intervene in an enforcement capacity. Police officers often profile certain types of individuals who are more likely to perpetrate crimes. , planting evidence and using excessive force - most would be more than happy to use the cameras. The immediate benefits of making video recordings would be to stop the criminal cops in their tracks, as their actions would be documented. Likewise, offending officers' rude behavior and misconduct would come to an end. But there are also other tangible benefits. Numerous field supervisors and Internal Affairs investigators who must investigate thousands of frivolous complaints of the ``he said, she said'' variety would be freed up. Bringing these supervisors to the field would further help the officers who need supervision and training, thus making them better officers. The majority of hard-working and professional officers would also benefit tremendously. All the false lawsuits and allegations made by criminals against them (``he called me names,'' ``he stole my money,'' ``he hit me with a baton for no reason,'' ``he planted dope on me,'' etc.) could be instantly dismissed. Investigations of complaints against the officers involve numerous resources, which could be freed up. Furthermore, the city would not have to pay millions of dollars to innocent people violated by criminal cops. (Imagine if Rafael Perez had to record all of his interactions with the community). The city attorney would not have to settle civil suits resulting in payola pay·o·la n. 1. Bribery of an influential person in exchange for the promotion of a product or service, such that of disc jockeys for the promotion of records. 2. to the criminals and their defense lawyers because no eyewitnesses are available to corroborate To support or enhance the believability of a fact or assertion by the presentation of additional information that confirms the truthfulness of the item. The testimony of a witness is corroborated if subsequent evidence, such as a coroner's report or the testimony of other officers' statements. The city and the department would also gain tremendously by creating an image of openness, thus silencing the critics who have accused the LAPD of obstructionism ob·struc·tion·ist n. One who systematically blocks or interrupts a process, especially one who attempts to impede passage of legislation by the use of delaying tactics, such as a filibuster. and perpetuating a code of silence. Demagogues like Najee Ali and Tony Mohammed would be out of their jobs. Sometimes the distrust between civilians and officers is based simply on perception. Cameras could help in this case, too. If an officer could play the recording of a traffic stop and show the violator that he or she indeed made an infraction Violation or infringement; breach of a statute, contract, or obligation. The term infraction is frequently used in reference to the violation of a particular statute for which the penalty is minor, such as a parking infraction. INFRACTION. , the people would be more trusting of the police, instead of considering them as adversaries. Additionally, the criminal justice system would save in enormous investigative costs when a video recording lays down a clear case that the officers had a probable cause Apparent facts discovered through logical inquiry that would lead a reasonably intelligent and prudent person to believe that an accused person has committed a crime, thereby warranting his or her prosecution, or that a Cause of Action has accrued, justifying a civil lawsuit. and obtained all the evidence properly. This would lead to admission of guilt admission of guilt n. a statement by someone accused of a crime that he/she committed the offense. If the admission is made outside court to a police officer it may be introduced as evidence if the defendant was given the proper warnings as to his/her rights by the criminals, saving us long and costly court proceedings. In fact, taking into account that a single liability settlement involving police misconduct can reach as high as $15 million, the cost of the whole program would return enormous dividends by saving the city tens of millions of dollars every year. The police union has come aboard, and community activists are also supporting cameras in police cars. It is time for the City Council to show leadership and bring this overdue idea to fruition. |
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