Public Advocate Letitia James proposes body cameras for NYPD cops on patrol

[hrmjustin]

Ryan Lavis

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Following the death of Eric Garner while in police custody last month, New York City Public Advocate Letitia James is calling for a pilot program that would put body cameras on 15 percent of NYPD cops on patrol, with the program eventually expanding to include officers from every precinct.

"We are living in an increasingly technological world, and we should take measures to incorporate video cameras into policing to improve public safety," Ms. James said in a statement.

The first officers to be outfitted with cameras as part of the pilot program would come from precincts with the highest rates of crime and complaints of police misconduct made to the Civilian Complaint Review Board.

According to a report released by the Public Advocate's office, that includes the North Shore's 120th Precinct on Staten Island -- where Garner, 43, died on July 17 after police officers tried to arrest him for allegedly selling loose cigarettes on Bay Street in Tompkinsville.

http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2014/08/public_advocates_office_propos.html#incart_m-rpt-1

[ladjf]

1. Most definitely yes. But, I doubt it will ever happen.

[hrmjustin]

2. The city council is 48 dems and 3 reps so it might.

[ladjf]

3. That would be good.

It seems to me that police departments are willingly hiring violent sadists and condoning their terrible behavior. nt

[hrmjustin]

4. They have a bad track record of the cops with civilian complaints.

If they don't change then more will die from misconduct.

[ladjf]

5. If it gets any worse, the cops may find themselves targets of citizens that have been pushed

over the edge. I certainly do not recommend this but eventually, payback usually happens. It's time for the Justice Department to start living up to their name and get some justice done in these situations. For one thing, a Federal mandate could require that all police officer be equipped with real time TV video/audio. That one inexpensive policy could cut the sadistic violence significantly. No more police lying and cover ups.

[hrmjustin]

6. I wish the feds would take the Eric Garner case. I have no faith in the Staten Island DA.

[NYC_SKP]

7. Part of me thinks they need to be on officers and admins, too.

And the other part worries that if they have to wear them then we'll all be wearing them soon, too.

It's sad to have to say this, but I'm increasingly glad that I didn't bring children into this world.

Surveillance state, climate change, less and less confidence in the future, how will it end?

[hrmjustin]

8. Well I think this is a good idea because it woukd help figure out the truth in these situations.

And no I never want children.