(Canadian Press) – RCMP officers in Kelowna, B.C., and Moncton, N.B., are testing two kinds of cameras that will record Taser firings during six-month field trials.
Included in the tests is the Taser Cam, an accessory for newer-model stun guns made by Taser International, which supplies the RCMP. Also to be tested is the VIDMIC, an audio-video recorder that attaches to an officer’s belt radio.
Field testing of the devices in the two communities was slated to begin in December, say internal briefing notes on the project obtained under the Access to Information Act.
Results from the trials will be analyzed to determine whether one or both of the devices will be used by the RCMP.
The tests come amid growing concern about police accountability on use of stun guns, which deliver a powerful jolt that incapacitates suspects.
An RCMP complaints commission report on the case of Robert Dziekanski — who died after an RCMP Taser was used on him at Vancouver International airport — said there would have been “a clear benefit” to video footage capturing the events from the officers’ perspective.
Key issue: how will video be used?
Complementing stun guns with recording devices may be beneficial because documenting incidents can make police more accountable, said Micheal Vonn, policy director of the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association. However, an important factor will be what happens to the video and audio after they are recorded, she said.
There should be protocols to ensure the digital recordings cannot be tampered with and are readily available to police watchdogs, she said. “We see a lot of video go missing that complainants say would support their side of the story.”
Vonn noted that a public tussle ensued over an amateur videotape of the October 2007 confrontation involving Dziekanski. The tape was returned to traveller Paul Pritchard, who shot the video and loaned it to the RCMP, after he threatened to go to court.
A camera made by Axon was disqualified from the field trials due to RCMP concerns about control over the videos.
“After obtaining further information on these cameras it was learned that the recordings from the Axon camera are sent to a third party housed in the United States,” say the briefing notes prepared for senior Mounties. “As a result of this, the Axon was removed as an option for the pilot project.”
The RCMP rented a total of 10 Taser Cams and 10 VIDMICS for the trials, according to the notes.
The search for loopholes and excuses to behavior continues unabated, and indeed fostered by everyone including the police. Now in testing stages in BC the vest recorder that records interaction with the police one on one. The car video cameras automatically recording when the lights and siren are activated. Manual recording whenever the switch is thrown. Recording of all conversations in the police vehicle while the accused is present lest the officers say something untoward. Recording of all radio transmissions regarding any dispatch or actions relating to that dispatch. Cell block entrance cameras to record arrival of and unloading of the accused. Cell block area cameras to record every movement inside that area, and in cell video recording the accused. Access to personal discipline files of officers involved in any court proceeding where they are a witness. Officer driving records summonsed to court for traffic court cases. New forms for the officers in the RCMP to record any action involving physical interaction with accused persons. Questions to officers in court regarding their personal lives allowed as evidence of credibility.
Now we have the taser video. Can the camera be fitted on the service weapon? Surely that has to be next, along with the riot batons, asp batons, handcuff cameras, and pepper spray canister recorders.
Personally I would like to see this type of oversight on the medical profession. Why no cameras in the operating room to make sure that there is no ooops? Operating room erros are only lately being brought to light. Proper dispensing of medications, ensuring proper respect for the patients against unruly nurses and doctors.
The Supreme court ruled recently that you could not reduce sentences on accused below the minimums to compensate for police breaching charter rights. Except (of course) in the most aggrieved situations where it may be proper if the accused would not obtain enough satisfaction civilly. With that little crack in the door it will go the way of conditional sentences in that it will become the norm.
What will be the end result of this unholy zeal on behalf of the criminal element? The public should be wary.
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This will certainly help in the public complaints respect. But, George Orwell in his wildest dreams wouldn’t have envisioned video camera’s in weapons!
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