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Cedar Park Dad wrote:

I know full well these concerns will fall on deaf ears. I fully expect mandatory body cams in the next year. Hopefully this wont be the straw they breaks the camel's back. But an exodus of good, experienced cops out of the profession is already being documented nationwide.

If body cams make cops leave they shouldn't be wearing a badge in the first place.

Ain't that the truth.

Without going into what I do for a living, we put cameras in different areas of my workplace last year. Most employees just went with the flow but three were LIVID. Of those three...

- One made a very costly mistake involving toxic chemicals. As per our policy he was drug tested immediately. Tested positive for pot and cocaine on a urinalysis panel. For those that don't know to test positive for cocaine on a panel you have to have done it within the past 24 hours.

- One left for another company, and was fired within a month for stealing.

- One started cross dressing. Not sure what that had to do with the cameras, other than he was just a nut.

My point is that if you are doing your job right, a camera is not your enemy.

nightmare69 wrote: You prepared to foot the bill? Many small departments cannot afford the cost and upkeep of body cams. I've personally gone through 3 shoulder mics in less than a year. I would love to have a body cam but my dept and many others simply cannot afford them.

Taser Version is $399.

https://www.taser.com/products/on-officer-video" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Seems within reason. I will concede that I have heard that the real cost in storing the data.

A-R wrote:The appropriate distance away from a police investigation is far enough that your presence does not create a dangerous distraction.

Not disputing that police need space to work. Again though, I have had seen zero videos where someone filming caused a dangerous situation. I have seen lots where LEOs have decided to engage people filming them. To my knowledge there is also zero proof (anecdotal or on the record) that someone filming a cop has caused a dangerous distraction that caused an incident.

I will concede that the majority of people who make a habit out of filming the police are children. If LEOs were smart they would treat them as such and ignore them. As soon as people quit getting that "gotcha" moment from LEO, I imagine they will find a new hobby.

On the topic of body cameras, the real data shows that when cops wear body cameras EVERYONE (including them) behaves better.

http://www.policefoundation.org/content ... -use-force" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"The findings suggest more than a 50% reduction in the total number of incidents of use-of-force compared to control-conditions, and nearly ten times more citizens’ complaints in the 12-months prior to the experiment."

I hope TX passes some sort of bill to require body cameras.

nightmare69 wrote:After seeing videos of OCers in Austin shoving huge shoulder mounted cameras in troopers faces I would like to see a bill that would prevent them from getting too close. After watching the video I'm reminded of my brother holding his finger 1/4in from my face saying, "I'm not touching you". Annoying to say the least. Record all you want but getting in the way or in the face of a LEO is unnecessary and most do it just to jerks and try to get a reaction to up their view count on YouTube.

What is the appropriate distance for freedom? Serious question though.

From the videos I have seen LEO are more than happy to approach/ get in the personal space of the folks filming than vice versa. I have seen ZERO videos where someone is filming so close that the LEO turns around and his surprised or threatened. I have seen 100s where someone is filming at a safe distance and the LEO chooses to engage them.

Don't get me wrong, I am sure these situations can be challenging for an LEO, but those who aren't doing wrong don't have anything to be scared of.