Smile! You're Now On Police Camera!

[MikeyT]

Police officers on patrol in Leicester have been kitted out with the latest hi-tech crime-fighting tools - digital headcams.

Each headcam - which perches on the officer's ear - collects high-definition digital footage which can be stored on DVD to be presented as evidence in court.

The new technology can have an edge over pole-mounted CCTV cameras as it allows officers to film an incident at street level, as they see it themselves.

Police also believe the headcams will deter troublemakers from squaring up to officers, or from making false complaints, as well as cutting time spent writing detailed statements for court hearings.

Instead, officers will be able to submit footage of incidents along with a brief statement.

Sergeant Nick White, of the city centre beat team, said: "Officers can switch on the camera and tell people they are being filmed. We haven't been using them long, but we have already noticed people's attitudes change."

Once a suspect has been warned they are to be filmed, the headcam can be activated at the flick of the switch.

When an incident is over, the images it has captured can be viewed immediately on a handheld screen.

When the officer returns to the station, the footage which may be needed as evidence is downloaded on to disks and stored.

"The footage is extremely high quality and it shows courts what the officers saw and exactly the kind of abuse members of the public, police officers and police community support officers are subjected to," said Sgt White.

"There are also occasions where people make spurious allegations against officers who have arrested them."

He referred to a case in Devon and Cornwall where someone complained about an arrest but, on seeing the footage, the complainant ended up with an £80 fine for wasting police time.

Dave Grenz, chairman of Leicestershire Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said: "From a protection point of view, these cameras clearly make a lot of sense.

"They also provide very good evidence."

Chris Hanrahan, secretary of the Leicestershire police branch of Unison, which represents many of the force's community support officers, also welcomed the new technology.

He said: "There have been isolated incidents of people verbally abusing or spitting at our officers."

The Home Office last year gave forces across the country the go-ahead to use headcams after a successful experiment.

The cameras have so far only been worn routinely by officers who are first to arrive at the scene of domestic violence attacks, and in the city centre on Friday and Saturday nights.

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/disp...tentPK=19798288

[Tommy G]

Police officers on patrol in Leicester have been kitted out with the latest hi-tech crime-fighting tools - digital headcams.

Each headcam - which perches on the officer's ear - collects high-definition digital footage which can be stored on DVD to be presented as evidence in court.

The new technology can have an edge over pole-mounted CCTV cameras as it allows officers to film an incident at street level, as they see it themselves.

Police also believe the headcams will deter troublemakers from squaring up to officers, or from making false complaints, as well as cutting time spent writing detailed statements for court hearings.

Instead, officers will be able to submit footage of incidents along with a brief statement.

Sergeant Nick White, of the city centre beat team, said: "Officers can switch on the camera and tell people they are being filmed. We haven't been using them long, but we have already noticed people's attitudes change."

Once a suspect has been warned they are to be filmed, the headcam can be activated at the flick of the switch.

When an incident is over, the images it has captured can be viewed immediately on a handheld screen.

When the officer returns to the station, the footage which may be needed as evidence is downloaded on to disks and stored.

"The footage is extremely high quality and it shows courts what the officers saw and exactly the kind of abuse members of the public, police officers and police community support officers are subjected to," said Sgt White.

"There are also occasions where people make spurious allegations against officers who have arrested them."

He referred to a case in Devon and Cornwall where someone complained about an arrest but, on seeing the footage, the complainant ended up with an £80 fine for wasting police time.

Dave Grenz, chairman of Leicestershire Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said: "From a protection point of view, these cameras clearly make a lot of sense.

"They also provide very good evidence."

Chris Hanrahan, secretary of the Leicestershire police branch of Unison, which represents many of the force's community support officers, also welcomed the new technology.

He said: "There have been isolated incidents of people verbally abusing or spitting at our officers."

The Home Office last year gave forces across the country the go-ahead to use headcams after a successful experiment.

The cameras have so far only been worn routinely by officers who are first to arrive at the scene of domestic violence attacks, and in the city centre on Friday and Saturday nights.

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/disp...tentPK=19798288

It's a good thing. I'm a fan of ther police force but there are drawbacks..

Can anyone justify why they have expensive cars such as BMW 5 series, X5's and 5 Series Tourings? I've also seen a Police Range Rover sport. Is there any need for such swanky cars? In terms of speed the Scoda Octavia's they have are quick as they have supercharged V12 engines. Pisses me off that it seems that Tax Payers money is going to waste on fancy dan cars for the coppers?

[Bert]

It's a good thing. I'm a fan of ther police force but there are drawbacks..

Can anyone justify why they have expensive cars such as BMW 5 series, X5's and 5 Series Tourings? I've also seen a Police Range Rover sport. Is there any need for such swanky cars? In terms of speed the Scoda Octavia's they have are quick as they have supercharged V12 engines. Pisses me off that it seems that Tax Payers money is going to waste on fancy dan cars for the coppers?

Because they can. Quite powerful too, and could probably go off road if needed. I don't really know that much about cars tbh.

[Maybes]

It is no longer a police service its a police FORCE.

[Tommy G]

Because they can. Quite powerful too, and could probably go off road if needed. I don't really know that much about cars tbh.

I'd say 95% of people that own X5's have never been off Road in them I'd just rather see more coppers on the street instead of less but there driving round in 50K's worth of car? You can buy quick cars that arent expensive, that skoda I mentioned above is an example.

I dont think anyone can aregue that

[Bert]

I'd say 95% of people that own X5's have never been off Road in them I'd just rather see more coppers on the street instead of less but there driving round in 50K's worth of car? You can buy quick cars that arent expensive, that skoda I mentioned above is an example.

I dont think anyone can aregue that

Except coppers, because they can do what they like. They're above the law.

Last week i seen one of them park up on double yellows, to use an ATM.

[Maybes]

Except coppers, because they can do what they like. They're above the law.

Last week i seen one of them park up on double yellows, to use an ATM.

Id go as far as saying that 60% of police officers are arrogant tossers. Even though you are a civilised person they talk to you like your a scumbag.

Double yellows never done that Blackpool

[Steven]

Except coppers, because they can do what they like. They're above the law.

Last week i seen one of them park up on double yellows, to use an ATM.

Then everyone should get their own cameras and start filming the Police.

[Tommy G]

Except coppers, because they can do what they like. They're above the law.

Last week i seen one of them park up on double yellows, to use an ATM.

Yeh they do take advantage, to be fair though if I was a copper I'd do the same thing - if you can get away with it then why not?

I blame the people above the average street bobby, the pen pushers that make the decisions. Ultimately the government for actually justifying why they should drive around in cars that are really too luxurious for the job in hand.

[Bert]

Id go as far as saying that 60% of police officers are arrogant tossers. Even though you are a civilised person they talk to you like your a scumbag.

Double yellows never done that Blackpool

That was legal though.

[Dr The Singh]

Then everyone should get their own cameras and start filming the Police.

Yes, let's just film each other, the only bobby I would like to film would be a female one who strips for money!!

I quite like the idea of police filming incidients and hopefully it will force the 'dodgy' bobby to stop as they know they are now being filmed!!!

[Maybes]

Yes, let's just film each other, the only bobby I would like to film would be a female one who strips for money!!

I quite like the idea of police filming incidients and hopefully it will force the 'dodgy' bobby to stop as they know they are now being filmed!!!

If you are referring to a policeman/woman then they can turn it on/off when they like.

Oh and female office striping :thumbsup:

[Dr The Singh]

If you are referring to a policeman/woman then they can turn it on/off when they like.

Oh and female office striping :thumbsup:

That is abit of an issue, we'll have to follow Stevens idea Maybes, and start filming the police!!

[purpleronnie]

Britain accounts for one-fifth of all CCTV cameras

[act smiley]

It's a good thing. I'm a fan of ther police force but there are drawbacks..

Can anyone justify why they have expensive cars such as BMW 5 series, X5's and 5 Series Tourings? I've also seen a Police Range Rover sport. Is there any need for such swanky cars?

The 5 can be justified by the fact that its got plenty of room to carry people and kit around while also being a very quick car while the 4x4s can be justified in that the police might sometimes need to go offroad and while a cheap old LandRover might do the trick there, it wouldn't be of any use on the road, while those are so they can be used instead of having two cars.

In terms of speed the Scoda Octavia's they have are quick as they have supercharged V12 engines.

Err, not that quick - they have a four cylinder 1.8 Turbocharged engine from a Golf GTI - 180bhp I think. They're quick, reliable and cheap, which is why they have them, but they're not THAT quick, which is why they get used in general for catching the odd chav in a stolen Corsa, but if they're going to catch criminals who have a fast car, they're going to need one too which is where all the stuff like M5s, Impreza WRX STIs, etc come in. I agree that they should keep a close eye on what they're getting to make sure there's value-for-money in it though, but obviously as I'm not working for them I can't decide whether they're getting too much flash stuff not enough value stuff.

The main concern I have with the filming is that they'll simply film the bits that suit them and not the entirity of events.

[Thracian]

The 5 can be justified by the fact that its got plenty of room to carry people and kit around while also being a very quick car while the 4x4s can be justified in that the police might sometimes need to go offroad and while a cheap old LandRover might do the trick there, it wouldn't be of any use on the road, while those are so they can be used instead of having two cars.

Err, not that quick - they have a four cylinder 1.8 Turbocharged engine from a Golf GTI - 180bhp I think. They're quick, reliable and cheap, which is why they have them, but they're not THAT quick, which is why they get used in general for catching the odd chav in a stolen Corsa, but if they're going to catch criminals who have a fast car, they're going to need one too which is where all the stuff like M5s, Impreza WRX STIs, etc come in. I agree that they should keep a close eye on what they're getting to make sure there's value-for-money in it though, but obviously as I'm not working for them I can't decide whether they're getting too much flash stuff not enough value stuff.

The main concern I have with the filming is that they'll simply film the bits that suit them and not the entirity of events.

Perhaps they could do with that Roller or Roller lookalike that the police tried to stop on the motorway a few years back.

Details are vague but apparently when a patrol car drew up and signalled him to stop he toed it and left the police car standing.

The police radiod ahead to another patrol some miles up the road only to be told the vehicle had just roared by, doing about 240mph.

Turns out the guy had fitted the Rolls with a Merlin aircraft engine.

I'd love to have been with him, just sitting there and waving from the back seat as you roared away and left the law trundling along like they were in a pedal car.

It would even have beaten putting the office mini in a banger race! :D

[Manwell Pablo]

Perhaps they could do with that Roller the police tried to stop on the motorway a few years back.

Details are vague but apparently when a patrol car drew up and signalled him to stop he toed it and left the police car standing.

The polce radiod ahead to another patrol some miles up the road only to be told the vehicle had just roared by, doing about 240mph.

Turns out the guy had fiited the Rolls with a Merlin aircraft engine.

I'd love to have been with him, just sitting there and waving from the back seat as you roared away and left the law trundling along like they were in a pedal car.

It would even have beaten putting the office mini in a banger race! :D

That is actually quite funny.

I'm suprised it held together.

[coale39]

Perhaps they could do with that Roller or Roller lookalike that the police tried to stop on the motorway a few years back.

Details are vague but apparently when a patrol car drew up and signalled him to stop he toed it and left the police car standing.

The polce radiod ahead to another patrol some miles up the road only to be told the vehicle had just roared by, doing about 240mph.

Turns out the guy had fiited the Rolls with a Merlin aircraft engine.

I'd love to have been with him, just sitting there and waving from the back seat as you roared away and left the law trundling along like they were in a pedal car.

It would even have beaten putting the office mini in a banger race!

[Lillehamring]

You can see where this is going, can't you....

[Raj]

Except coppers, because they can do what they like. They're above the law.

Last week i seen one of them park up on double yellows, to use an ATM.

A good mate of mine is a Sergeant at Wigston.

Just before Xmas he got done by a speed camera(34mph) and had to attend one of them stupid courses.

The guy who was doing it was actually a friend and collegaue(Obviously) of my Sgt mate!! :giggle:

[Thracian]

A good mate of mine is a Sergeant at Wigston.

Just before Xmas he got done by a speed camera(34mph) and had to attend one of them stupid courses.

The guy who was doing it was actually a friend and collegaue(Obviously) of my Sgt mate!! :giggle:

My wife's been on one of those courses. I told her she was a maniac and ought to be much more careful. :D

[Lillehamring]

a speeding ticket over here is approx £500...