Local police may soon be carrying a valuable tool to assist them in two fights - one against crime and the other against false complaints of misconduct.
The Morgan Hill Police Department is eligible for funds to purchase high-tech video equipment that can capture a virtual first-hand account of every move an officer makes.
The Association of Bay Area Governments Pooled Liability Assurance Network Corporation (ABAG PLAN) has announced that the VIDMIC device is now on the list of approved equipment that can be purchased with grant funds awarded by ABAG. The VIDMIC is a shoulder mounted camera that houses a color digital video recorder, a still photo camera, and a digital audio recorder.
Sgt. Jerry Neumayer of the Morgan Hill Police Department said his agency became interested in purchasing the equipment after one of their officers used a VIDMIC on a trial basis. He said reliable, comprehensive video footage of arrests and traffic stops will improve local law enforcement and prosecution of crimes.
"When people see and hear an actual event in court, that helps out," said Neumayer. "It can also help in proving someone's innocence, and in ensuring officers are doing their jobs correctly, and following procedures."
Morgan Hill police Cmdr. David Swing said the agency is eligible for ABAG funds to purchase devices that qualify as "risk management" equipment. He said the department is in the process of evaluating a variety of high-tech personal digital recording options, and making a decision on a purchase.
Kathleen Cha, senior communications officer for ABAG, a non-profit company which develops risk management programs for municipal agencies, said the department has taken advantage of numerous grants offered by the organization in the past.
Unlike the more common dash-mounted cameras used in patrol vehicles, the VIDMIC is designed to capture everything the police officer wearing it sees and hears because it attaches to the officer's shoulder.
According to a press release from VIDMIC, the equipment will also help tackle the ongoing problem of false accusations against officers.
Neumayer said the MHPD receives occasional false complaints. But these are usually the result of "miscommunication," and have not become a major problem. Use of the VIDMIC could help clarify such misunderstandings, Neumayer added.
A nationwide study conducted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police Research Center in 2004 determined that when video evidence is used, police are exonerated in 93 percent of cases involving charges of misconduct.Unlike the more common dash mounted cameras used in patrol vehicles, the VIDMIC is designed to capture everything the police officer wearing it sees and hears because it attaches to the officer's shoulder.
According to a press release from VIDMIC, the equipment will also help tackle the ongoing problem of false accusations against officers.
Neumayer said the MHPD receives occasional false complaints. But these are usually the result of "miscommunication," and have not become a major problem. Use of the VIDMIC could help clarify such misunderstandings, Neumayer added.
Michael Moore Michael Moore covers county and law enforcement issues for the Morgan Hill Times. Reach him at (408) 779-4106, ext. 202, or mmoore@morganhilltimes.com.
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