Police officers around the country are now wearing video cameras alongside their badges and guns.
Normally, these cameras are required by the law enforcement regulations, however recently a federal judge ordered a number of New York City police officers wear body cameras. The goal is to provide an objective record of “stop and frisks,” which U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin found discriminated against minorities, and to encourage more “respectful” interactions. This is the result of attorneys bringing suit against the police department for discriminatory policies.
While the cameras seem to impact police and citizen behaviors when on, exactly when they’re on varies by police department. Some are automatic, others are triggered at the discretion of the officer, which can raise questions about what officers choose to record – or not. In Las Cruces the police officers are issue body cameras, but they are turned on at the officer’s discretion.
Like videos in police cars, videos on tasers, and video taken by bystanders on their cellphones attorneys expect videos on these devices will be used in criminal cases, civil rights cases, and personal injury cases.
If you need an attorney to help on a case, you can contact the attorneys at McGraw Law & Associates at (575) 323-1529
Las Cruces, NM