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New gun-mounted audio/video technology could enhance police, public safety, says lawmaker
NEW YORK - State Senator Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn) Monday announced his support for a pilot program of the Integrated Video Documentation Targeting Technology known as PistolCam. Deputy Secretary for Public Safety Michael Balboni, the Senate Democratic Conference, and members of the Black, Puerto Rican, Asian, and Hispanic Caucus are scheduled to attend a series of demonstrations of the new technology.
PistolCam's patented technology includes a high-tech innovation that mounts a small camera on the barrel of any 9mm weapon to automatically provide video/audio documentation each time the weapon is drawn from its holster. The small device will store up to 60 minutes of audio and video images.
Discrepancies in testimony during the recent Sean Bell trial underline the need for an objective chronicle of any episode involving the discharge of a firearm by law enforcement personnel, said Adams. Although the video technology cannot capture the often-critical events that transpire before an officer draws his gun, a camera installed on the weapon can provide crucial assistance in clarifying important parts of the sequence of events in a shooting.
"This device has the potential to be a signature product for law enforcement," said Adams, who retired from the New York Police Department after a 22-year career.
All videos and pictures are stored in high capacity memory and available for download via USB cable to any PC or laptop. There is also a safety feature that requires a special security code to download the audio and visual images.
Adams, who is also the co-founder of the organization 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care, acknowledged that he expects "positive results and enthusiasm" from the municipality that piloted the PistolCam product in New York State.
"There is no question that this is cutting edge technology, and New York City should commence a pilot program in which officers use it in training situations so that we can determine the extent to which it improves their effectiveness," Adams said. "In addition, if we provided a clearer picture of what officers encounter after they remove their guns from the holster, it would serve as an invaluable training tool and significantly increase public safety."
New gun-mounted audio/video technology could enhance police, public safety, says lawmaker
NEW YORK - State Senator Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn) Monday announced his support for a pilot program of the Integrated Video Documentation Targeting Technology known as PistolCam. Deputy Secretary for Public Safety Michael Balboni, the Senate Democratic Conference, and members of the Black, Puerto Rican, Asian, and Hispanic Caucus are scheduled to attend a series of demonstrations of the new technology.
PistolCam's patented technology includes a high-tech innovation that mounts a small camera on the barrel of any 9mm weapon to automatically provide video/audio documentation each time the weapon is drawn from its holster. The small device will store up to 60 minutes of audio and video images.
Discrepancies in testimony during the recent Sean Bell trial underline the need for an objective chronicle of any episode involving the discharge of a firearm by law enforcement personnel, said Adams. Although the video technology cannot capture the often-critical events that transpire before an officer draws his gun, a camera installed on the weapon can provide crucial assistance in clarifying important parts of the sequence of events in a shooting.
"This device has the potential to be a signature product for law enforcement," said Adams, who retired from the New York Police Department after a 22-year career.
All videos and pictures are stored in high capacity memory and available for download via USB cable to any PC or laptop. There is also a safety feature that requires a special security code to download the audio and visual images.
Adams, who is also the co-founder of the organization 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care, acknowledged that he expects "positive results and enthusiasm" from the municipality that piloted the PistolCam product in New York State.
"There is no question that this is cutting edge technology, and New York City should commence a pilot program in which officers use it in training situations so that we can determine the extent to which it improves their effectiveness," Adams said. "In addition, if we provided a clearer picture of what officers encounter after they remove their guns from the holster, it would serve as an invaluable training tool and significantly increase public safety."
