Personal cameras for cops good idea, but not in budget

Personal cameras for cops good idea, but not in budget

What Are The Features Of A Mini Digital Camera ?As Occupy Wall Street movements continue to grow in cities across the country, Tulsa police arrested six more Occupy Tulsa protesters Sunday night for violating curfew laws in public parks.At the same time, more police departments in the U.S. are giving officers portable video cameras, or "personal recording devices," to protect them against accusations of using excessive force."Verbal, or physical assault, or other things," Officer Jason Willingham, Tulsa Police Department Public Information Officer, said of the claims. "And those cameras certainly come in handy when we're trying to prove our innocence."

But Willingham says Tulsans shouldn't expect TPD officers to be wearing portable cameras or personal recording devices any time soon. At a thousand bucks a pop, there's no room in the department's budget to buy them for officers."We're still trying to get all of our patrol cars outfitted with dash cams," Willingham said. "So, that's our primary focus, because it was court-mandated.'But just up Highway 169, the Owasso Police Department now has personal recording devices on about 40 patrol officers.

"So far, it's worked very good," Sgt. Nick Boatman, Owasso Police Department Public Information Officer, said. "Everybody seems to be very happy with the results of it."Boatman says more video from more angles is always a good thing, even for an average traffic stop. Owasso officers also have dash cameras installed in their patrol cars. But, Boatman says, sometimes a dash cam isn't going to pick up a suspect's gun hidden in his pants or pocket. But having the personal recording device on as well can provide clear evidence of the gun, and justification for any action the officer must take because of the weapon.