Dash Cams - Best Friend or Worst Enemy

[BTDT]

In this case, your best friend.


Best Friend
Dash cam video shows Colleton Co. deputy being shot
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10116845


COLLETON COUNTY, SC (WCSC) - For the first time since his shooter pleaded guilty, Colleton County Sheriff's Deputy Jackie Lawson described the dash cam video shot from inside his cruiser.
The video showed Lawson first getting out of his car, then questioning two individuals inside a car that was blocking the road.

Worst Enemy This cam and the assigned Officer were his worst enemies.
Public outrage after Dallas cop keeps man from seeing dying mother
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?s=10084133

DALLAS, TV (NBC) - A traffic stop that detained an NFL player in a hospital parking lot despite his pleas that his mother-in-law was dying is sparking outrage across the country.

Officer Robert Powell pulled over Houston Texans running back Ryan Moats' sport utility vehicle outside Baylor Regional Medical Center in Plano as he and his relatives were hurrying to see his dying mother-in-law on March 18.


Best Friend
Dash Cam Captures Violent Ohio Chase
http://www.officer.com/web/online/Top-News-Stories/Dash-Cam-Captures-Violent-Ohio-Chase/1$37661

BLUE ASH, Ohio --
A driver was killed and two officers were injured Tuesday after a police chase and shooting.
Daryl Black, a passenger, said all he wanted was a ride to the store. What he got instead was the wildest ride of his life.
Already, he's having nightmares, newsnet5.com partner WLWT-TV in Cincinnati reported.


This is what we were told when we got these things, it would either help you or hang you.

[us 378]

Dash cams help but they don't always show the whole story.

The officer in Dallas did lose his cool but if the police just released everyone who claimed "they were going to see their dying mother", it would be chaotic. Cops are always doubtful of stories being told by defendants, and rightfully so.

[anti-babble]

I agree with you 378 but officers are also taught to re-evaluate situations and escelate or de-ecelate based on the circumstances. Given his proximity to the hospital (parking lot) he could have attempted to verify or debunk the claim. Verification could have resulted in a verbal warning and a lie could have resulted in a ticket/arrest. This officer allowed himself to be set in a one track mindset and wouldn't deviate from it, even when it became obvious that the guy was telling the truth.

Granted the NFL Player was driving like an idiot and was violating the law. If he was 15 miles from the hospital, I say, write the ticket so the guy drives safely to the hospital and then , maybe, help him out in court.

But this guy was at the hospital, he wasn't going to drive any further that night. His reason for driving like an idiot was not going to exist when he left there. If his story is true then show some compassion and don't write a ticket.

[ZooFuzz]

This is what we were told when we got these things, it would either help you or hang you.



They also said the same thing about the radios, the phones, and in some cases the walls and ceilings (mostly in HQ during the Boykin years), thy also said don't be stupid in front of the cam either, like some Trp's I know or did know at one time.