According to Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit, the number of reported occurrences of police misconduct resulting in injury or death in Ontario, has been steadily increasing since 2004. Police dash cams have proven to be a valuable witness that presents a precise, just and unbiased account of events. They should definitely be a standard requirement of any police force in North America; where our police system is still flawed and filled with deceit. Of course dash cameras are still only a band aid to a much larger problem.
San Jose's new officer cam
In an attempt to step back and address the larger issue of police misconduct on a whole, Canada’s Senate Security Committee release a position paper dealing with the overseeing of police services. The 102 page report calls for similar methods to be used in Canada as being piloted right now in San Jose, CA. Since December ’09, members of San Jose’s police department have participated in a project where a small, audio-video earpiece records each individual officer as they go on about their duties.
This method and device are long overdue considering the history of police misconduct and corruption throughout Canada and the United States. Vancouver, BC has volunteered to pilot a similar program with its officers, but it has been reluctant to assign a date for commencement. It is paramount that we make these devices mandatory for all police departments. The implementing of such a project would certainly be the logical first step in protecting the security of our citizens and ending a terrible reign of terror brought on by those who are there to protect us.
