Video - Hard to Dispute the Truth!


It's ironic how video can reveal the truth about what really happens when no other witnesses are present. This video touts how patrol car videos exonerate police officers of inappropriate activity during traffic stops and dealing with unsavory individuals. The video speaks for itself and gives the viewer an opportunity to see the real events as compared to what might have been told or claimed otherwise. In my opinion, this is solid evidence that can either corroborate or incriminate those involved.

But why do so many law enforcement agencies, along with some prosecutors, disapprove of the use of video in both patrol vehicles and in interview rooms? If seekers of justice are only in the pursuit of the truth, then what is there to fear about videoing all interviews and traffic stops? Some agencies have actually removed the patrol car cams from their vehicles as policy against their use. Some agencies have hidden video in interview rooms but refuse to use these devices while interviewing witnesses or suspects. Would we send officers to the street without their side arms because we fear the liability of it's use? Of course not. We arm our officers with the knowledge of the law, common sense and the necessary tools required to protect the officer and the public against those whom desire to break those laws.

The problem with a "NO VIDEO" policy is that it allows doubt to exist. At a traffic stop or in an interview room where only two people are present; who can confirm or corroborate what is said to have been said or done during that contact between the authorities and the person they interview? Is implied authority and credibility of an officer enough? If you wholeheartedly trust that law enforcement will always do the right thing and that they only care about the truth and the rights of those they are in contact with; well I hate to be the one to burst your bubble! If it's not on audio or video tape and there's a dispute about the facts and what was said during any interview between two people...there has to be doubt!

As I have and always will support the Innocence Projects around the country have proven and shown how misconduct by law enforcement and prosecutors, bad eye witness testimony and false confessions lead to innocent persons being wrongfully convicted. The first step is to use the tools available to help prevent the wrongful arrests in the first place. Demanding that all evidence or statements be corroborated by provable facts; not just the word of an officer or prosecutor. Thirty plus years ago, law enforcement was more about serve and to protect, keeping the peace and deterring crime. Today its about "patrol and profit". Every crime has a price tag on it. Law enforcement and the courts have huge budgets and these budgets are paid and supported by arrests and convictions...they are profit centers or in other words "big business". When the need to pay the bills becomes the big issue; whether you are a street criminal or the justice system, the means by which you obtain that money for those bills becomes a matter of survival and the how or the truth becomes easily hidden when appropriate tools are not put to use!

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