Getting dash cam video

[A Cops Daughter]

This might upset some people here, but I really need to know whether I have a "right" to see my dad's dash cam video. I don't know under what circumstances anybody can request a copy, and whether you need to be 18 or older to do so.

It may sound horrible, but I feel that I need to know what exactly happened to him. Trust me, I don't want to watch my dad get killed, but not knowing is worse.

I've asked my mom if I could see the video, and she said 'no'. I asked the Chief if I could see it, and he said "absolutely not".

I assume they're just trying to protect me, but do I have a legal right to see the video? Nobody in his department will even entertain that question, so I thought I'd ask it here...I don't want to upset anybody...but this is killing me. Sorry.

[Switchback]

Just let it go. While I cannot say I have been there, I understand where you are coming from. However, there is no benefit to seeing that video right now... if ever. Really, just let it go.

I really do not believe you have a right. The Freedom of Information Act MAY apply, but I am not sure. If there was a reason to contest the circumstances of your father's death, I think it would be your mother who has teh the right and not you (assuming she is competant). Perhaps when you are of age, you may have more right, I do not know.

[Roger Dat]

Like radar you don not have a right to view it especially in that circmstance. I dont think it would benefit you to see it either. Sorryfor your loss

[SnapShawt]

First, I am so sorry for your loss. Your community owes you a debt of gratitude they can never repay for the ultimate sacrifice your father gave. I will add him and you and your mom to my prayers tonight.

Step back and ask yourself what good it would do to actually watch the video? I'm sure you've been told of the circumstances. PLEASE believe me when I tell you that watching the video can cause untold mental trauma to you. You will never be able to get the images out of your head.

And ask yourself this. Would your father want you to see it?

[Darin]

The video is police department property and you don't have a right to see it. It's really for your own good. They are trying to protect you. The video may do you more harm.

[Taxx]

While I don't think viewing the video will benefit you in anyway other than creating more questions that you still won't have answers to, I will have to respectfully disagree with the others that have posted here. The video that is recorded from a police cruiser is part of the Information Act. It can be accessed by the public if a request is made. There are several factor that will determine whether or not it will be released though, one being whether or not the case has been adjudicated. Because this particular video possibly involves and officer making the ultimate sacrifice the department can probably make a good arguement why it should not be released. I don't think it will help the healing process and I'm sure your dad would not want you to see it.

[A Cops Daughter]

Thanks for the replies!

Maybe you are right that watching the video is a bad idea. But I need some kind of closure so I can "move on". I never got to say good-bye to my dad, and that would be the ultimate good-bye I guess. I don't know if that makes any sense. Nothing makes sense any more. :(

I want to feel the sadness about my dad's slaughter, and I want to feel the anger towards the bastards who did it. :mad: I want to feel something other than numbness.

I wrote in another thread that somehow I cannot cry, and I'm sure the video would cause plenty of tears. :(

My mom did get to see it so it's not a secret. Everybody in the department saw it. It's just that they don't want me to see it. All I know are some of the circumstances and that it is pretty horrific.

I don't want to have to wait to see the video on YouTube one day, or on RP for that matter. :(

I know everybody is trying to protect me, but they should just let me make my own decision. They hardly ever budge on anything though once they've made up their minds. Maybe the Chief will give in eventually, but I highly doubt it, which is why I'm asking if I can access it without their consent. I know they mean well, but they don't know what I feel like. I don't think anybody will understand. I just need to know.

As far as my dad's whishes are concerned, I don't think he would want me to see something that horrific, but at the same time he wouldn't want me to go through the anguish that I am going through right now...

[Creeker]

While I don't know the details of your Dad's death, I can surmise. I am truly sorry for what happened to him.

I don't tell this story very often anymore, and I wouldn't now, if I didn't think it were pertinent to your question.

Many years ago, I was severely Assaulted while I was interviewing a suspect in front of my cruiser. I sustained a broken neck, several facial fractures and dislocations and a skull fractured in 6 places as a result of dropping my flashlight while he & I ground fought, and he recovered it before I did. I was found by a good samaritan who believed he was doing a good thing when he put my head on a pillow that he kept in his car. Initial patrol units mistakenly believed that I had been shot in the head. The suspect, who had been beating on the woman he was with prior to my arrival, told her that he believed he had killed me. Indeed he would have, if not for the fact that I was Transported to a Level 1 Trauma Unit within 16 minutes of the assault.

By the grace of God, we didn't have video cameras in our cars back then. While it may have played a part in obtaining a stiffer sentence for the suspect, I am very happy that my wife & relatives didn't and were unable to see the altercation on any tape.

I'd want my loved ones to remember me as the person that I was, and not as a person who was beaten down at the end of my life, complete with video.

I don't think that you would in any way want to see your father in that position, nor would you want your last visual memory of him to be as such, either.

While Taxx is likely to be correct and that Post-trial, the video would be subject to FOIA, I would very seriously recommend that you remember your Dad as he would have liked to have been remembered, full of life and respected.

To do otherwise would likely mentally traumatise you severely, just as the very idea of my demise traumatised my wife towards me for many months after my return from the Hospital while I was convalescing at home. For many days she was unable to look at me without crying because she was imagining what I must have gone through.

I was able to return to work many months later until a second injury to my neck 17 years afterwards permanently sidelined me.

Please remember your Dad as the man that he was.

Good Luck to you and I will be keeping you in my thoughts & prayers.

[Curt581]

You do not need to see the video. You do not want to see the video, even though you might think you do. If you were to see it, you'd forever wish you hadn't. There is no 'closure' to be had there.

You're feeling something you call "numbness", but that's not really what it is. A better term would be "shock". It's as if there's a feeling of unreality to all of it. Like a dream you think you're going to wake up from. You feel uncomfortable or guilty right now because you haven't been able to cry... You're probably beginning to think there's something wrong with you.

There isn't.

What you're feeling is completely normal. Shock or numbness is one stage in the grief process. Other stages will follow. Being able to cry or feel sadness will come. It may come gradually, or it may come all at once. In other stages, you may feel anger or hatred at his assailant, and you may even feel anger at your father for not doing something different or for even going to work that day. Also completely normal.

What you really need right now is grief counciling. You need help in understanding why you're feeling the way you do and to help anticipate whatever emotions which may come in the future. It really does make it easier. Grief is a process. It never really goes away, but you can work through it and things do get better.

Ask your Mom or your Dad's department for someone who can help.

There is also a national organization called COPS, or Concerns of Police Survivors, that may have resources available for both you and your mother. Don't forget... she experiencing severe grief of her own, in her own way... just as you are.

Click here:
http://www.nationalcops.org/home.htm

[DeltaV]

While the video is probably still considered evidence at this time, I'm sure that it eventually will be subject to release. Many of these videos do end up becoming training videos, posted on youtube, etc.

I agree with the others who say that you shouldn't watch the video. Watching the video will just make things worse. I hate watching those videos for training purposes and I don't even know the officers involved. I don't think I'd like to watch a video of one of my friends being killed, much less a family member. If you already haven't, I also would suggest approaching the department or your mom to try to get some counseling. I'm sure a professional counselor could give you a better answer of why you shouldn't watch the video, or maybe even suggest a time in the future when it might be okay for you to watch the video.

[A Cops Daughter]

So I asked my god father (the Chief) again today if I could see the tape, and he just gave me “the look”. He doesn’t like to be asked the same question twice, so I don’t think I’ll be asking again anytime soon.

Later in the day I read your responses, and now I’m glad he said ‘no’.

I was hoping that the video would “shock” me out of whatever I’m feeling or not feeling, but you’re probably right, it would just make things worse. I’m so desperate for some sort of relief, but I guess this would be the wrong way to go about it.

Yes, I do want to remember my father the way he was, and not how he died. Creeker, thank you for sharing your story. It was strange, I somehow could relate to how your wife must have felt and I don’t even know you. Picturing my father like that is horrifying. No, I don’t want to ever see him like that.

And…it did make me cry, finally, just thinking about it and picturing it in my head. This was the first time I got a good cry since he was murdered. As a matter of fact, I am crying while I’m typing this.

Thank you all

[Roger Dat]

Just remember that we will ALWAYS remember your dad along with all the other LEOS that we have sadly lost in the line of duty. Rest in peace brothers.