Prior to our installing VICS (Video Incident Capture System), we were sued constantly, and the City always settled out of court. They said it was cheaper than going to court, but the shadow of doubt about the officer's actions always remained.
When we did install them in the early 90's, our guys hated them. Supervisory training on them specifically discouraged brass from reviewing tapes just to snoop. The bozo we had for a chief at the time missed the message and spent hours each day reviewing tapes looking for every little thing he could find, especially those from officers he personally disliked. (Departmental SOP at the time required the VICS to be active for the entire shift.) He chewed people for stepping out of a cruiser without putting on their hats and even chewed one guy for singing along with a Beatles song while driving down the road
.
Times change and the old chief retired. Now, our guys won't voluntarily leave the station without a functioning VICS, and there hasn't been one successful lawsuit against our department since their installation.
The systems are pricey, but pretty much tamper-proof. The tapes (or hard drives, we went digital a few years back) are installed in a locked recorder in the trunk by a supervisor at the beginning of the shift, and removed at end of shift the same way. Only the supervisor has a key, and the officers have no access.
The tapes are locked up and treated as evidence, and a chain of evidence is established for each tape. Unless needed for an investigation, they're kept under lock & key for 6 months, at which time they're wiped and re-used.
As stated, the system automatically becomes active when the e-lights are turned on, or when the officer turns on his remote mic.
Officers are required to activate the system with
every citizen contact, and
must remain on with the camera turned to record the "cage" whenever a prisoner is present. Those who fail to do so face progressive disciplinary measures.
Tapes are only reviewed by supervisors under certain circumstances:
1. As evidence in a criminal case.
2. As evidence in an Internal Affairs investigation
3. Supervisory review of all vehicle pursuits
4. Supervisory review of any use of force
5. Critical incident debriefing with an officer (closed door interview)
6. Training sessions (in a positive way. There may be constructive criticism, but the officer involved is never belittled or ridiculed.)
Any questions?