PistolCam - Shooting while shooting?

[ZeSpectre]

N.Y. Police Force First To Test Digital PistolCams
Digital Cameras Placed Under Gun Barrels, Record Audio & Video As Soon As Gun Is Drawn.

Tony Aiello
NEWBURGH, N.Y. (CBS) ―

A New York company says it has invented a camera that fits into a gun and could provide vital answers when police use deadly force, and soon Orange County police will be testing the first-of-its-kind units.

The standard-issue Glock resting on the left hip of Dennis Barry, captain of the Orange Co. Sheriff's Department, is about to enter the digital age.

"We're gonna try this out and we don't see any downside to it," Barry told CBS 2.

In January, the department will be the first in the country to test the "PistolCam," a miniature digital camera that attaches under the gun barrel. The camera records audio and video as soon as the gun is drawn from its holster.

The developers of PistolCam say video recorded by the unit is even encrypted, and cannot be tampered with.

The maker of the device says in addition to a great training aid at the gun range, the "pistolcam" video will provide valuable evidence when deadly force is used.

"Not only could we use it to preserve the evidence, exactly what happened, but we could go back, we can train our officers to be better prepared, maybe make better decisions," says Bill DeProsp of Legend Technologies, the company behind the device.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department hasn't even installed the cameras yet, and already there's talk of expanding their use.

The mayor of Newburgh says he wants them installed in part to ease historically tense relations between police and the community.

On the streets, there is both support and skepticism for the PistolCam plan.

"Of course it would increase police trust. For me, I would feel better about it. If it's being recorded it should be correct," says Janelle Osborne, a Newburgh resident.

"A camera? That's wasting state money right there, when they could be doing other thigns for kids in this community," added Dee Davis, also a Newburgh resident.

At $700 each, PistolCams are not cheap. Still, in a life and death situation, the evidence they provide, however, could prove priceless.

 

[C-grunt]

Thats rediculous, the amount of footage would be crazy. I draw my duty weapon all the time for everyday occurances like clearing buildings that have an alarm sounding, or clearing somebodies house when they come home a find the door open. Not to mention switching holsters when Im on/off duty.

 

[PPGMD]

Doesn't seem like a good training aid to me since the camera would quickly get covered with residue.

It's also huge, it looks like something that would be a major pain to carry, with my X200 on my USP the holster is already huge.

 

[ZeSpectre]

I personally was wondering about the spotlight on the front. Hrmmm, no way to turn it (the camera off) probably means the light stays on too. Not good for a house sweep in the dark.

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

Oh jeez.

I'm all for recording police interactions and activities.. but on the weapon?

I have a small camera that clips on my hat and has a digital recorder that fits in a pocket that I use when hunting. Up to four hours of video on one chip, isn't subjegated to the shock of a weapon firing, isn't obscured by smoke or muzzle blast and doesn't interfere with my weapon.

There are better options off the shelf right now.

 

[PPGMD]

On another forum a CLEO posted what his agency uses:

http://www.qualitywireless.com/VIDMIC.php

Seems like a much better solution.

 

[RJS34]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjFsNgEm4SA

 

[ZeSpectre]

One thing I liked is that their "demo" guns were all blueguns so people were being safe.

 

[Highland Ranger]

Reminds me of the "Smartgun" debaucle in NJ. Starts out as a "safety" device intended for LEO's and morph's into legislation from which LEO's are exempt that treads on our rights.

Why not put the camera on the cop and leave the gun out of it??

 

[SDC]

There was a story this morning on Tasers, showing an infrared camera/recorder added to the grip at the bottom that's supposed to do the same thing; see http://www.taser.com/products/law/Pages/TASERCAM.aspx

 

[v8stang289]

I wonder how the camera stands up to recoil....

 

[Big Boomer]

first off I am shocked!

This breaks the most fundamental of the 4 rules, do not point your weapon at something that you do not intend on destroying.

So to get better video footage they are going to have to aim their weapon at your face with their finger on the trigger of course

I love to see them interviewing people...

LEO's (from what I have seen) may unholster their weapon but keep it pointed down at the ground finger off trigger until ready to fire. This changes when you put a tiny little camera at the front that must capture everything that you do. Video footage of the ground is not very exciting...

And I can't wait for the "oh I thought I had to pull the trigger to turn it on" comments as the 15 year old kid with a watergun is standing there headless.

I know I am taking it to the extreme, but with what little training they get now it wouldn't surprise me in the least.

Don't make a deadly weapon any more complicated than it already is. Is the bugger hook for the bang switch or the on/off button, hrm I forget which one? How do you turn this thing off again?

 

[Titan6]

I saw them on the TV earlier yesterday. I think all the police should be made to use cameras. Notice that reported incidents of police abuse goes down everywhere that cameras are installed in patrol cars. Works both ways protects LEO and whoever the officer is interacting with. But on the gun? That is a very bad spot for it. After shooting a round the camera will be looking at the ceiling... the camera will be two feet closer to target at least giving false perspective... it will effect the weight and handling of the gun needlessly... you get the idea....