what's the argument against not having body cameras on at all times?
data storage would be annoying, for one. Battery life, another.
Baltimore State Attorney Drops Dozens of Cases: Body Cam Shows Drug-Planting
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Re: Baltimore State Attorney Drops Dozens of Cases: Body Cam Shows Drug-Planting
#42what's the argument against not having body cameras on at all times?
Privacy. That sometimes they go to the bathroom, or talk on the phone to their families.
The privacy of victims they're interacting with is a valid concern, as well. A rape victim may be reluctant to give details on-camera.
Re: Baltimore State Attorney Drops Dozens of Cases: Body Cam Shows Drug-Planting
#43There is an important distinction between someone who doesn't misbehave for fear of being watched, and someone who wishes to be watched in fear of the perception of misbehavior.
There is no substitute for someone who's intent is to try and get away with things, and someone who's intent is to serve a cause, be of service, and not get away with anything.
So really, we should build a system where the intent of transparency is paramount, not just transparency itself.
Two things immediately come to mind.
1. Super-incentivize snitching. Reward whistle-blowers to the point where it becomes an easy decision. Not only monetary, but with honor and with medals. Make it the new "right thing to do" in public service. Fight corruption. Easy sell.
2. Super-disincentivize ulterior motives and their actions. Treat crimes by officers as far more severe and malicious than of non-officers. And they are. So if a police officer murders a civilian, punishment should be 10x or 100x. Same with stealing a slice of pizza or ignoring a stop sign.
The point isn't that we should punish officers more. The point is we should all raise them to higher standards, and the officers themselves should willingly accept that higher burden of responsibility.
It should be their responsibility to not profile or discriminate based on appearances of anyone or their car. It should be their responsibility to preserve life at all costs, even at a higher risk to themselves.
And this will deter crookedness and incompetence. If an officer cannot do their job, they shouldn't. And if an officer thinks they can get away with anything, they shouldn't. Being a cop or even buying a cop like in the movies should not pose any criminal opportunities.
Re: Baltimore State Attorney Drops Dozens of Cases: Body Cam Shows Drug-Planting
#44We need to live in a country where the law enforcement agencies are above reproach. There are 3 things we can do for this. 1. Pay for officers should be high without overtime. 2. Stop militarizing everyday law enforcement. 3. Body cams on at all times. Cameras on police cars should be on at all times.
Frankly I think that anyone who applies to be a cop should be automatically blacklisted, and that police should be essentially conscripted for, say, $total_training_time + 2 years after education, the way some countries do with their military. To me, the mere act of wanting the authority to arrest and shoot your peers means you are the last person I want to have that power.
The idea that police should be conscripted is crazy when you consider that the vast majority of the population just doesn't have the nerves to stop that person in the sketchy car or dark side of the sidewalk, knowing there's a probability they will try to murder you, whether because they hate cops or to avoid arrest, while yourself carrying a lethal weapon. (A lot of police don't even have the nerves for it.) More innocent people would get shot, without question.
Re: Baltimore State Attorney Drops Dozens of Cases: Body Cam Shows Drug-Planting
#45Earlier quoted context omitted.
Frankly I think that anyone who applies to be a cop should be automatically blacklisted, and that police should be essentially conscripted for, say, $total_training_time + 2 years after education, the way some countries do with their military. To me, the mere act of wanting the authority to arrest and shoot your peers means you are the last person I want to have that power.
The idea that police should be conscripted is crazy when you consider that the vast majority of the population just doesn't have the nerves to stop that person in the sketchy car or dark side of the sidewalk, knowing there's a probability they will try to murder you, whether because they hate cops or to avoid arrest, while yourself carrying a lethal weapon. (A lot of police don't even have the nerves for it.) More in…
Yeah, some jobs need sociopaths. All strengths are weaknesses from another perspective.
Re: Baltimore State Attorney Drops Dozens of Cases: Body Cam Shows Drug-Planting
#46Weren't the people arrested (with the planted evidence) likely named in media coverage and the local blotter, etc long before conviction?
If so, why not name the cops involved here?
Re: Baltimore State Attorney Drops Dozens of Cases: Body Cam Shows Drug-Planting
#47Were any charges filed for planting evidence during their investigation? Probably not. Probably 'administrative leave' or 'reassignment'.
Re: Baltimore State Attorney Drops Dozens of Cases: Body Cam Shows Drug-Planting
#48Earlier quoted context omitted.
The idea that police should be conscripted is crazy when you consider that the vast majority of the population just doesn't have the nerves to stop that person in the sketchy car or dark side of the sidewalk, knowing there's a probability they will try to murder you, whether because they hate cops or to avoid arrest, while yourself carrying a lethal weapon. (A lot of police don't even have the nerves for it.) More in…
Yeah, some jobs need sociopaths. All strengths are weaknesses from another perspective.
Wow. Presence of mind in dangerous situations was what I was going for, but sure, let's not think and throw out the crude 'sociopath' label.
Re: Baltimore State Attorney Drops Dozens of Cases: Body Cam Shows Drug-Planting
#49Earlier quoted context omitted.
Privacy. That sometimes they go to the bathroom, or talk on the phone to their families.
The privacy of victims they're interacting with is a valid concern, as well. A rape victim may be reluctant to give details on-camera.
I'm just relaying the arguments I've read.
Re: Baltimore State Attorney Drops Dozens of Cases: Body Cam Shows Drug-Planting
#50We need to live in a country where the law enforcement agencies are above reproach. There are 3 things we can do for this. 1. Pay for officers should be high without overtime. 2. Stop militarizing everyday law enforcement. 3. Body cams on at all times. Cameras on police cars should be on at all times.
> Pay for officers should be high without overtime. Pay is high for police officers. At the median they're earning nearly 70% more than the overall median US income. Median pay for all police officers is near $62,000 now. [1] Versus the median for all jobs, closer to $37,000. [1] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detect...
I'm pretty sure those numbers include overtime.