In car video cameras

[aussie1]

I was just wondering how many police cars have cameras in them???

Are they just like digital camcorders stuck to the dash or are they actuall cameras fitted somewhere in the vehicle with a seperate recording device.

I have heard a rumour that my department is fitting cameras to our light bars (Highway patrol only) and the camera only activates when the lights are turned on. The camera also records the 20 seconds before the lights were turned on.

As I dont work in HWP, I doubt I will get to use these cameras much, but I was wondering if anyone considers it worth it to take my digital camcorder to work and stick it in the car??? Does this work ok or does that shake make veiwing impossible??

Aussie

[vadep]

All of our cars assigned to patrol have cameras (MVR). Our system utilizes a small camera, mounted to hang from the ceiling near the front window, and records on 8 hour VHS videotapes. Body mics are included, and our policy says that if the car is running, the camera is running. The system has a couple of backups as well, it will automatically begin recording when either the body mic or blue lights are activated.

Personally, I love having them. The tape has cleared me from numerous BS complaints, and playing the tape of a good DUI stop in court is priceless....

[Stump]

Our state troopers have 'em, and record the entire time they are in the car.

[DepDog]

Our agency has them from Mobile-vision. They can be activated manually with button, and when you activate your body mic, or they activate automatically when the overhead lights are activated. Our camera is mounted on the front windshield. There is an overhead monitor for viewing, and the VCR is mounted in a lock box in the trunk.

Some officers do not like them, but as a post below stated if you use them to your benefit they are an excellent tool to have for bogus complaints on traffic stops.