NYPD body camera policy needs review, inspector general reports

Police reform advocates have called for more body cameras as a way to increase accountability and transparency in the wake of recent fatal police encounters.

“There are some good things” in the NYPD order defining the pilot program, Eure, the inspector general, told reporters at a news conference.

After a review of the NYPD’s pilot program for the use of body-worn cameras, the city’s Department of Investigation is recommending that officers are mandated to turn on the cameras during all street encounters-and keep the footage for at least 18 months instead of just a year. In a report released last fall, the American Civil Liberties Union argued that, “Body-worn cameras can help improve the high-quality public service expected of police officers and promote the perceived legitimacy and sense of procedural justice that communities have about their police departments”.

Using a video demonstration, Bedford said how it will clear up any confusion and remove doubt.

But long before the video where Tensing is seen shooting and killing an unarmed motorist, he worked as a Greenhills police officer and as a reserve officer for Colerain Township.

The NYPD has 90 days to respond to the report.

The report also cites a need to set limits on recording “vulnerable populations”, such as victims of sex crimes, abused children and crime witnesses. The IG’s office didn’t have a solution for the NYPD on that front, but urged them to figure one out.

But the inspector general said the department needs to tighten up its plan before expanding the program.

NYPD officials said they would consider the findings.

The body-camera pilot program used 54 volunteer officers from six precincts citywide.

This week, the Harrisonburg Police Department announced all of their officers are now being issued body cameras.

McPherson Police Department says not only do these cameras protect officers on scene if a complaint is made against them, it helps the public.

The since-fired officer, who shot an unarmed driver in the head as he started to drive away from a routine traffic stop, initially said he got tangled in the driver’s auto and feared he was going to get run over.

A camera experiment was ordered in 2013 by Manhattan federal judge Shira Scheindlin in connection with contentious litigation over police use of controversial stop-and-frisk encounters.

“It’s our goal to have all police wear body cameras, and we think that it is possible and desirable for a couple reasons”.