The Snellville Police Department investigated the use of body-worn cameras more than five years ago when an officer purchased his own. Quickly, we saw the value and utility in such a device. Prior to this, we had purchased in-car camera systems for our cars, but they were cheap, failed and left a significant void. As we replaced vehicles, we added new in-car systems. However, many officers were left without cameras.
Once the body-worn camera option became available, we began to incrementally acquire and issue cameras to officers with no in-car system. Over time and three iterations of cameras, we successfully equipped each officer with a body-worn camera in addition to installing in-car systems in each vehicle.
Both types of cameras have been proven valuable; however, the body-worn cameras have an advantage. While the in-car system remains fixed, the body camera travels with the officer and records what he or she sees.
With the videos, cases have been successfully prosecuted in court with clear, unequivocal evidence. The cameras assist with the investigation of officers when complaints are made regarding their professionalism or legality of their actions. So far, officers have been exonerated in each case. However, when the officer is wrong or makes a mistake, we would have clear evidence that would allow us to take appropriate action.
Each person who interacts with law enforcement has his or her own perception of the encounter. Since it is human nature for people to tell their story in a favorable light, video gives us an accurate depiction of what happened.
Recently, a father reported his daughter had been cited for running a red light and that the officer was rude. In addition, he reported that when his daughter told the officer she did not commit the violation, the officer said, “Well, you have a GPS, so I could charge you with distracted driving.”
The video clearly recorded the violation, and the body camera recorded the interaction. The officer told her about the violation and she replied, “I must have been looking at my GPS and didn’t realize I had run the light.” The officer responded by advising that she could also be charged with distracted driving, but only gave her a warning for that infraction.
The father took a copy of the video and used it as an educational opportunity with his daughter. He was satisfied the violation had occurred and the officer had acted properly. The daughter said she didn’t remember the officer being so nice.
The downside to cameras is they could create an unreasonable expectation there will always be a camera. The equipment is not infallible. An officer could forget to turn the camera on. Some in-car camera systems appear to be recording, but later we find out they did not. Also, they have a four-hour battery life; officers work 12-hour shifts. Also, some video recordings could be taken out of context or distorted by the angle of the camera.
Overall, they are another tool that helps us achieve our goal of being open, and willing to communicate and provide the highest level of service to our community.
Roy Whitehead is Snellville police chief.
