In recent years we’ve seen many stories of people catching the police on camera. Whether the footage involved brutality or showed evidence that was contrary to police reports, the controversy of people filming police has been very real and a relevant issue in these times that everyone has a camera on them. But, some police departments have joined in, in an effort to show their techie-side and, in some cases, to clear their name. [Read more…]
Supreme Court May Consider Taser-Use and Excessive Force
Tasers are used by law enforcement officers all across the country. But they are not without controversy. From situations where their use might be considered excessive, to incidents where they’ve resulted in the death of a subject, Tasers are a serious weapon and one without explicit guidance from the courts. [Read more…]
Cell Phone Tracking “Routine” for Police
It’s something police departments don’t really like to talk about, because they know it will garner serious backlash and could spur tighter restrictions. It’s the use of cell phones to track people and gain intelligence, often without a warrant or court approval. [Read more…]
Taser International Tests New Cop-Cameras
In the latest effort to get cops equipped with cameras, Taser International is sending out test models of a new wearable cam. The company hopes it will be an easy sell as they have several cases where such cameras ultimately cleared officers of wrongdoing. They also hope they can save face considering their Taser weapons have been nothing short of controversial in recent years. [Read more…]
With Police Fighting Multiple Wars, Casualties and Mass Weaponry Are No Surprise
An article in the Atlantic this week does a great job in exposing how the War on Terror has helped arm “peace” officers with militaristic weaponry and equipment. It has, in essence, completely changed the appearance and often the motivation of police departments across the country. But the War on Terror isn’t the only war that local and state cops are fighting—the War on Drugs remains another costly and deadly domestic war. [Read more…]
Thousands of Americans Arrested at Occupy Protests
New York City, Chicago, Boston, Denver, San Diego. The story’s the same across the country. The police are over-worked and getting antsy about it. The persistence of the protesters to stay put, is getting a definitive result: thousands of arrests. [Read more…]
Cops Don’t Want Their DNA Taken
Over the past several years, we’ve heard about DNA databases designed to keep tabs on convicted criminals. These databases are designed to catalog the identifying information to potentially help solve future crimes. But some in the criminal justice world think that the same sort of cataloging should be done on police officers. Understandably, many officers object. [Read more…]
Massachusetts Town Rejects State Funding for License Plate Scanners
In a first for the state, and possibly the first nationwide, a town has rejected state funding for police to purchase automatic license plate scanners (ALPR) due to privacy concerns. [Read more…]
Federal Appeals Court Rules Recording Police Is Constitutionally Protected
In a ruling that may have long reaching effects, the Federal Court of Appeals in Boston ruled this week that a citizen’s right to record the police in the commission of their duties is protected by the First Amendment. The case involved Simon Glik, a spectator who recorded three police officers who he believed were using excessive force against another. And while the ruling was actually in a civil case, the remarks by the court will no doubt be cited in criminal cases to come. [Read more…]
The FBI and the Importance of Recorded Interrogations
You would think the FBI, the agency known for their high tech tactics and their reputation for no nonsense interrogation tactics would be interested in ensuring an exact account of those interrogations and interviews was available at trial. But, you would be wrong. Instead the federal law enforcement agency relies on pen and paper and the integrity of their agents. It’s this that has many people, including defense lawyers, urging the agency to adopt a policy on recording interviews. [Read more…]
