Just wondering whether anyone in LP is using wearable cameras to collect evidence, or sees any future in doing so. I attended a demonstration recently about the use of bodycams in LE and I have to admit I was mighty impressed with the quality of the video despite the camera size, movement etc. The camera was fairly wide-angle so the officer didn't have to be too concerned about "aiming" it, yet the resolution was very decent - certainly "evidence" quality. This was a wireless, linked back to the squad car, but the recorder could certainly be in the LP office just as easily.
The reason I ask is that direct video evidence of a crime is marvelous for convincing perps to confess, and will often induce defense attorneys to plead out the case instead of fighting it. So, I can see the LP guy showing a shoplifter the video right there in the office and taking most of the resistance they might have to signing the forms, right from the git-go. The video would be a good wake-up call to parents when they come and pick up their precious "my-child-would-never-do-that-how-dare-you-arrest-them" darlings, too!!
"Now right there, ma'am, you see your darling daughter stuffing five items of makeup into her purse. And right there, ma'am, you see her tearing the tag off that pair of jeans. And here she's walking out in those jeans plus a pair of Nike's that she wasn't wearing when she came into the store. In fact, she's practically had a complete change of clothes while in the store. ANY QUESTIONS, MA'AM? No? I thought perhaps not."
The reason I ask is that direct video evidence of a crime is marvelous for convincing perps to confess, and will often induce defense attorneys to plead out the case instead of fighting it. So, I can see the LP guy showing a shoplifter the video right there in the office and taking most of the resistance they might have to signing the forms, right from the git-go. The video would be a good wake-up call to parents when they come and pick up their precious "my-child-would-never-do-that-how-dare-you-arrest-them" darlings, too!!
"Now right there, ma'am, you see your darling daughter stuffing five items of makeup into her purse. And right there, ma'am, you see her tearing the tag off that pair of jeans. And here she's walking out in those jeans plus a pair of Nike's that she wasn't wearing when she came into the store. In fact, she's practically had a complete change of clothes while in the store. ANY QUESTIONS, MA'AM? No? I thought perhaps not."
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