Police in England are testing miniature video cameras attached to the helmets of police officers, according to You’re Nicked, Live on Helmet Cam at the Sunday Times. The hope is that the rate of convictions will increase, while paperwork will go down. They envision that police officers will be able to replay videos to suspects on the spot:
At least 12 offenders have been punished using evidence recorded by the camera — known as the Cylon body-worn surveillance system — since it became available for individual forces to test last December.
The crimes recorded range from breaking into a car to assaulting a police officer and fighting outside a nightclub. After playing back the footage, police say all the offenders accepted their guilt rather than tying up magistrates’ time with a “not guilty” plea.
The camera setups weigh 25 ounces, and film in whatever direction the officers head is turned. A successful initial test of ten units has resulted in the program being expanded to fifty units. The cameras are made by a UK firm, Audax. and cost several thousand dollars each.
no comments